PROGRESS LEAGUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1944, Page 8

PROGRESS LEAGUE

GENERAL MEETING A general meeting of Westland District Progress League was held at the Grey Main School last evening, the Chairman, Mr. W. D. Taylor, presiding over an attendance of about 70 members. Mr. J. Saunders was interim secretary. Mr. Taylor said that the large attendance indicated that the League was essential and that interest in local affairs was lively. The matter of incorporation would be completed shortly. The Kumara Borough Council supported the formation of the League and applied for membership—Mr. Taylor said there was provision whereby the League’s rules could be amended to include Kumara, and this would have to be done by resolution of the Council. The Greymouth Branch of the Amalgamated Engineering and Related Trades Industrial Union applied for membership, Mr. E. O. Henry being appointed delegate. The Chairman reported that a pamphlet setting forth the aims of the League had been prepared. There had been criticism that it was aiming too high, but he felt it had done well in moving on the harbour question. Every member would have the right of nominating as far as possible the committee on which he wished to serve. Following correspondence from the League the Harbour Board had affirmed the principle of the deep-sea harbour. The committee had communicated with various North Island bodies whose communities traded with the port. The position was now pretty well assured that all available schemes would receive consideration. Mr. Saunders read a letter forwarded to 25 organisations in other parts of the Dominion requesting earnest consideration of the resolution declaring that the only permanent solution of the recurring shipping hold-ups was a deep-sea harbour at some central site on the Coast, and calling on the Government, in collaboration with the people of Westland, to decide on such a site, the Government then to construct the harbour as a rehabilitation work. It was suggested that a strong resolution supporting the League be passed and forwarded to the Prime Minister with any comments. Similar letters had been sent to 73 organisations on the Coast.

Mr. W. E. J. Steer suggested that a similar letter be sent to each M.P. Mr. J. M. Bunt produced a plan for a harbour at Point Elizabeth compiled 55 years ago by the late Mr. E. I. Lord, Borough Engineer, depths being three to eight and a-half fathoms. He had received from an Aucklander a letter commenting on his statement that there was enough coal on the Coast to last 100 years and adding: ‘For God’s sake send me a bag—send it C.0.D.!” The Chairman suggested that M.P’s not be circularised till the various organisations had replied. Mr. Steer felt that now was the time to strike while the North Island was short of coal. On his motion the Council was recommended to send such a letter when the time was opportune. COMMITTEES APPOINTED The following committees were set up:—Membership and Publicity:—Bird, F; Cunningham, A. F.; Kay, R. L; Millier, W. R. (chairman); Shallcrass, G. F; Shrimpton, S; Smart, G. D; Stiles, H. G. (secretary); Thomas, J. S. C; Wicks, L. J; McNulty, J. M. Harbour:—Bergamini, V; Bullock, H. A; Chivers, E. F. (chairman); Couchman, P. O; Dalziel, A; Glen, A. B; Jackson, H. A; Kennedy, E. W; Mosley, A (secretary): Mclver, D; McTaggart, R. Forestry:—Herring, H; Kehoe, E. L; Ogilvie, W. T; Parfitt, E; Robertson, J. S; (chairman); Saunders, J; (secretary); Turley, F. L. Farming:—Airey, E. (chairman); Brown, Alex.; Carter, H. G; Kelly, M. G; Mulcare, J; Shallcrass, N. (secretary). General Industries and Commerce: Bluett, J. B; McKechnie, W; Bruerton, J; Dennehy, F. M; Hambleton, W. P; Kilgour, N. A; Lindley, L. C. (secretary); North, J. H; Phillips, J. E; Steel, J; Truman, R. J; Wicks, L. J. (chairman); Peters, P. C. Mining and Related Industries: — Barnes, D; Blackie, T. (chairman); Brooks, A. T; Hunter, C; Hutchinson, H. (secretary); McMillan, R; O’Neil, S. A; Shannon, A. A; Thompson, C. E. L; Woodhouse, R. F. Housing and Rehabilitation: — Campbell, A. N; Curtis, A. R; Davenport, L. B; Fairmaid, A. J; Gillespie, G; Green, T. H; Jamieson, A. F; O’Farrell, P; White, S. B. (chairman); Agnew, A. (secretary). Transport and Communications: — Aldridge, M. R. (chairman); Boucher, G; Comport, V; Haines, J; Harker, G. R; Mayell, A. E. (secretary); Walters, G’; Harley, W. F. Public Utilities and Amenities: — Anderson, R. N; Benson, J. M.; Canter, F. W. (chairman); Eastwood, O. W. (secretary); Kealy, M; Henry, E. O; Kilgour, A. E; Laing, J. F; Steer, W. E. J; Bendall, V. A. Scenic and Tourist:—Boustridge, F. F- Chibnail, R. P. (secretary); Davis, S. J; Inkster, L. A; Kent, J. B; Kitchingham, F. A. (chairman); Moss, E. R; Warnes, A; Shallcrass, F. W. Youth Work, Recreation and Sports:—Anderson, L. F. (secretary); .Baillie, F. W.; Bell, Frank; Campbell, T. G. (Rev.); Caulton, B. W; Bro. Tarcisius; Gunn, C. N; Hardie, D; James, W. E. (chairman); McCauley, J. M; McClymont, W. S; Pratt, T; Smith, Errol W; Williams, W: Pointon, A. J; Rae, Dr. H. S. These committees met and appointed Chairmen and Secretaries, deciding also times and places of future meetings. The ' respective chairmen automatically became the members of the Council, which is the governing body of the League.