PROGRESS LEAGUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1944, Page 8

PROGRESS LEAGUE

WIDE RANGE OF BUSINESS.

The Council of the Westland District Progress League, at its fortnightly meeting in Greymouth, last evening, Mr. W. D. Taylor presiding, discussed an extremely wide range of business, from the deep-sea harbour issue to radio coverage, mail closing times, and the provision of an automatic telephone exchange for Greymouth. Mr. Taylor reported on the discussion Mr. J. M. Bunt and he had had with Mr. O’Brien .on the harbour question, having been informed that the Government had sought information from Britain and America on the availability of expert marine and harbour engineers. Meanwhile, Mr. Taylor thought no further steps could be taken, but suggested that the Harbour Committee collate the available material to eventually produce a brochure. Mr. O’Brien had also given an assurance that all available sites for an aerodrome would be examined. The following remits from the Harbour Committee were adopted: “That there be sent to the Prime Minister and Ministers of Marine, Labour and Rehabilitation a copy of the original resolution passed by the League relative to harbour matters, together with the names of all locql bodies, organisations and others wlio have supported the proposal. That the Council ask the Minister of Marine to fulfil, as early as possible his promise to have soundings taken at Point Elizabeth. That the Council request that a Commission of not less than three of the best marine engineers available be set up to investigate the possibilities of a deep-sea harbour or allweather port for the district, and also to check the soundings previously taken at Point Elizabeth.”

The Auckland Gas Company advised it had forwarded a resolution of support to the Prime Minister; the Tolaga Bay Harbour Board gave support; the Raglan County Council considered the matter was one for the Government and not individual local bodies to consider; the Brunner Borough Council, which applied for membership, appointing Mr. F. E. Lockington its representative, supported the campaign; the Runanga District Coal Miners’ Union advised it had sent a resolution of support to the Prime Minister; the Grey District Acclimatisation Society intimated it had decided to take no action in forwarding a resolution to the Prime Minister; the West Coast Snwmi Ilers’ Association strongly supported the League. Other applications for membership were received from the Westland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, Dalgety and Co., Ltd., Greymouth, Roa Miners’ Union, and Housewives’ Union.

Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd., intimated that the time-tables for air mails would be reconsidered when the Nelson service was recommenced.

The District Oil Fuel Controller advised the Leagfie’s representations concerning the constitution of the local Oil Fuel Control Board were being referred to the Dominion Controller for consideration.

Mr. Taylor stated that endeavours were being made to hold a meeting at Hokitika next Tuesday evening. Mr. J. Saunders (Secretary) reported he had ■written to about 15 branches of the Farmers’ Union, enviting them to join the League. COMMITTEE REMITS A remit from the Scenic and Tourist Committee was: That the following be the order of priority of suggested tracks or roads to scenic points: Continuation of North beach road over Darkie’s Terrace to connect the main highway on Grey-mouth-Westport Coast Road, and also continue track to the end of Point Elizabeth. Pedestrian track from King’s Park over crest of hill to reservoir on Omoto Road. Continuation of road track through Nikau Valley Road from Puketahi Street through lo Marsden Road. Clearing and consolidating track from Punakaiki River (Deadmans) to head waters of Pororari River, thence to Pororari Bridge. Restoration of track from Camp station to Coal Creek Falls. — Adopted, inquiries to be made of the Tourist Department to ascertain who will be responsible for the maintenance of the tracks. Remits were received as follow from the Public Utilities and Amenities Committee:— “It is felt that there is need for a better access from the main Post Office counter to the posting boxes and private box lobby, and we suggest that enquiries be made to ascertain if it would be possible to provide a passage through the room now occupied by the Oil Fuel Controller, or, alternatively, that the matter be kept in view when any additions or alterations to the Post Office are being considered.” —Referred to Chief Postmaster.

“We have made an inspection of the men’s conveniences at present, and. feel that the number is sufficient, but that some attention is needed. In the case of those at the rear of the Town Hall, a direction plate in the vicinity would be appreciated. We would draw the Council’s attention to the convenience at the rear of the Library, consisting simply of concrete shed, both out-of-date and insanitary. This could be converted into a suitable convenience at little expense, and should have early attention. The ones at the Opera House are in need of some attention, and we suggest that the attention of the proper authorities be directed to their present state.” — Referred to Borough Council with a request that all conveniences, including those at hotels and theatres ard on the Quay, be referred to the Sanitary Inspector for attention and that they be maintained in a decent condition. The same committee reported that it did not consider the time to be opportune to institute a municipal milk depot in Greymouth as suggested by the Blaketown-Preston Road Ratepayers’ Association. Mr. T. Pratt said he understood an Act would be promulgated, to set up milk councils in each district MAIL, RAIL, RADIO. The Transport and Communications Committee submitted the following remits which were adopted:— That representations be made to the Chief Postmaster asking that the closing time of mails be reviewed with particular reference to: Rail-car mail at present closing at 2.30 p.m. be altered to 4 p.m. Mail by perishable goojrls train at present closing at 5 p.m. be altered to 6 p.m. General mails closing at 5 p.m. be altered to 6 p.m. That representations be made to the Minister of Railways pointing out that the building of a new .railway station at Greymouth is overdue, and that the urgency and importance of this ' work be stressed. That the reorganisation of the railway facilities at Greymouth be considered in the five-year rehabilitation scheme and that the plans already prepared be made available for the information of the Progress League. That representations be made to the Post and Telegraph Department pointing out that the time has arrived for the installation of an automatic telephone exchange at Greymouth, and that the authorities be asked to proceed in the meantime with the necessary buildings in preparation for such installation and to house the equipment when it becomes available. After stating it had considered a report by a group of listeners stating, inter alia, that Coast listeners had » grievance apd. unless some redress was forthcoming--they would be in the right to ask for a substantial reduction in, or cancellation of. their’ license fees, (it could t>e pointed out

that 6000-odd listeners on the Coast, supplied about £7.500 revenue), the Transport and Communications Committee submitted the following motion: — '■‘The Westland Progress League views with concern • the unsatisfactory nature of the reply received from the Minister of Broadcasting through Mr. O’Brien, M.P., in respect of station 3ZR (stating that till after the cessation of hostilities it would be impossible to extend the coverage) and on behalf of its 6000-odd local radio listeners submits the following: That'in view of new apparatus being installed in other centres sufficient equipment appears to be available or procurable to effect an immediate improvement, to the power and coverage of the present 3ZR station. That action be taken to overcome the distortion and interference from Australian stations. At present, owing to the strength and adjacent frequency of some Australian stations, and on account of the indifferent reception of New Zealand broadcasting stations on the Coast, many listeners tune into only Australian stations. That until such time as a good qualitative programme is possible from 3ZR and other New Zealand stations part or whole of the license fee in respect of Coast listeners be remitted?’ Mr. Saunders said that ZB (advertising) stations had stand-by equipment, and it should be made available to Greymouth. It was time they told Professor Shelley “where he got off.” . , , „ The resolution was adopted for transmission to the Minister of Broadcasting. , The Housing Committee suggested that the present area of outbuildings of State houses be increased to enable them to be used as workshops. That the urgency’of the Government building further housing units be brought before the attention of the authorities strongly. That the Mines Committee be requested to investigate the natural gas at Cape Terrace and No Town. That it be brought to the notice of members that two State advance loan houses for returned servicemen are being held up owing to the carpenters being manpowered from the job to shift a box factory. Mr. Saunders pointed out that butter box manufacture had priority over housing. The first three remits were adopted, no action being taken on the last-named.