FOR PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 146, 21 June 1923, Page 10

FOR PROGRESS

LOWER HUTT LEAGUE

A MOVE FORWARD,

During the last year there has been a remarkable development of the civic spirit in Lower Hutt, and a movement was recently launchea to form a Progress League for the district. As an outcome of certain preliminary work a public meeting was held on Tuesday, in the local council chambers to formally establish the league. There were about 50 citizens present. Dr. J. M. Mason was elected chairman. The principal speaker was Mr. J. G. Helyar, who outlined the steps already taken, and Baid that the desire of the promoters was to place the league upon an absolutely democratic footing. The object of the league would be to stimulate an active inferest in all matters.affecting the borough. The ' league would discuss such subjects as the opening up of the Valley by improved railway facilities, internal transit, and better roads and footpaths ; improved sports grounds, and tepid baths; improved sanitary service in ■ the direction of better collection and destruction of rubbish and public conveniences; rest rooms for ladies; beautification of the borough by the planting of trees in the streets, and waste corners, and by the provision of. public gardens; obviating the dangers at railway level crossings; agitating for improvements in educational matters; making a close study of amalgamation, which must ultimately come in the Valley, and undertaking propaganda work to^ bring the beauties and advantages of the district before the outside public. Mr. Helyar then moved, and Mr. E. J. Guinees seconded, that a Lower Hutt Progress League be formed. .In second-, ing the motion, Mr. Guiness said the main purpose of the league would be to get at the basic reason underlying each proposal, as, for example, amalgamation. Such a league must be a great advantage in a small community to knit a scattered population into a community, and to cause the community to take a live interest in the dutrict. It would introduce community thinking,l and«~in the distant future might be the means of

linking together the parts of the .district where there was a community of interest. The league would work hand in hand with established authority. The Mayor, Mr. W. T. Strand, said he was exceedingly pleased to see so many persons recognising their duties, and responsibilities .as citizens. The growth of the spirit spoke well for the future, as it was not long ago that many people seemed to look upon the district merely as a nice place to sleep in and spend their Sundays and holidays. There was no doubt that the lenptue would, be a great'benefit to the Valley, and even if its promoters desired to keep its activities within the borough boundaries they would-find such a plan impcesible, as Nature had made the Valley one, and it must be viewed as one district from seashore to the upper reaches. The Valley was one of the finest and one of the prettiest in the Dominion, and' it was well able' to take the whole of the overflow population of Wellington. The league should aim to develop the natural resources of the Valley. Personally, he would welcome most cordially, criticism from the league if it was of a constructive nature. A code of rules was adopted, and it was decided to hold quarterly meetings, i ' The following officers were elected: — President, Dr. J. M. Mason,: secretarytreasurer, Mr. E. Waldie; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. E. P. Bunny, H. Baldwin, G. A. Chapman, and Dr. .1. Reakes; executive, Messrs. E. W. Hursthouse, A. Grierson. D. C. Martin, S. Clendon, B. Cooper, F. Jenness, E. P. Rishworth, E. J. Guiness, G. B. Bu.xlon, J. G, Helyar, V. B. Willis, and E. S. Innes; auditor, Mr. M. C. W. Mason.