HOSTEL PLAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 February 1947, Page 3

HOSTEL PLAN

FINANCE AND STAFF PROGRESS LEAGUE TO MAKE FURTHER INQUIRIES DIFFICULTIES ELSEWHERE The council of the Westland District Progress League decided at its meeting at Hokitika last evening to make inquiries from the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) as to what amount of financial assistance could be ex pected from the Government in the event of a youth hostel being started at Greymouth, and to ascertain tHe staffing problems likely to be encountered. The difficulties of obtaining domestic staff were pointed out by.Mr J. L. Hay in a letter from Christchurch. “We have had a nightmare of a time over the staff question at the Christchurch Y.M.C.A. for years and today the position is just as grim as it can be,” stated the letter. He advised that steps be taken to solve this problem before calling a public meeting to consider any project at Greymouth. An indication that the Government would probably assist financially was given in a letter from the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) forwarded by the national secretary of the Y.M.C.A. (Mr R. M. Brasted). Mr Nash’s letter referred to plans for providing additional accommodation in Christchurch, but Mr Brasted stated that he had no doubt the scheme would apply in other centres. Finance Scheme The scheme provided for a Government subsidy of one-third of the total cost, provided voluntary contributions to the same amount were forthcoming, with the remaining onethird arranged by the Government as a long-term loan on State Advances Corporation terms. The Greymouth Chamber of Commerce advised that it would support any endeavours made by the league in the matter.

Mr J. M. Bunt said that he agreed with Mr Hay’s suggestion. It was no use having a hostel if the domestic problem had not first been solved. The chairman (Mr W. D. Taylor) said that he did not see why the money should not be raised for the scheme. The owner of Oranui, which the league had in mind, could not be kept waiting indefinitely. Mr L. B. Davenport said that a married couple and two housemaidwaitresses would be sufficient to run the establishment. He did not consider there would be much difficulty in obtaining such a staff.

After further discussion it was resolved to make further-inquiries before calling a public meeting to consider the project. Mr Taylor presided. Others present were Messrs R. J.' Truman, W. F. Harley, E .F .Chivers, Bunt, J. B. Bluett, F. F. Boustridge, J. S. Robertson, T. Blackie, J. F. McDougall, A. Hill, P. Blank, A. Rooney, P. C. Lewis, E. W. Green, E. J. Blake, I. J. Preston and Davenport. Hokitika Post Office

The Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr Skinner) advised, for the Post-master-General,' that he was having inciuiries made of the Public Works Department regarding the completion of the plans, and of the Building Controller regarding the possibility of the new post office at Hokitika being erected in the near future. It was decided to send a telegram to the Minister asking for more information on the progress made.

Letters were received from the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) and the Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple) advising that preliminary work would be carried out on the new aerodrome at Seaview during the present season and that full development would take approximately two years. ’ Both letters stated that no further extensions could be made to the Greymouth aerodrome in the meantime.

Mr A. Hill stated that drainage work had already been started. It was resolved that the National Airways Corporation be written to requesting that, in view of Sir Leonard Isitt being absent from New Zealand, his deputy be requested to pay an early visit to the West Coast. The director of housing construction (Mr G. W. Albertson) wrote advising that sawmill workers’ houses would be manufactured in the nearest centre to the sites on which they were to be erected. A report by Mr M. AV allace on the Lake Kanieri—Lake Arthur scenic route was approved. It was decided that a copy of the report be sent to the appropriate Cabinet Ministers. Hokitika School Complaint

“It is time the Minister of Education got on with the job,” said Mr Hill when the question of the proposed new school for Hokitika was raised. “It isn’t safe for children to be there,” he added. It was resolved that a letter ol complaint be sent to the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) about the slow progress being made and pointing out that the Canterbury Education Board had approved of plans for the building.

Farming Potentialities On the motion of Mr Taylor the following two resolutions were carried: — , , “That the thanks of the league be extended to Dr. E. Marsden of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, for having taken the initial step of recommending to Professor Hudson that experts from Lincoln College should be sent to the West Coast to conduct a soil survey; to Professor Hudson and the Board of Governors of Lincoln College for making the visit possible, and to Dr. Burns, Messrs Stevens and Bevin for giving up their time to make the two visits which were necessary in order to survey the farming potentialities of the West Coast.” “That representations be made to the Board of Governors of Lincoln College urging that earnest consideration be given to the league’ suggestion that the board establish a dairy farm on the West Coast, the league considering that such a step would be most beneficial, not only to the West Coast, but also to the college and its students.” Recommendations Approved

The following recommendations of the Transport and Communications Committee were approved': “That the council write to the district traffic manager, Railways Department, Chistchurch, inquiring if booking 14 days ahead is to be a permanent procedure.” “That in view of the Minister of Broadcasting having advised the league on July 18, 1946, that tenders for the equipment for Radio 3ZR are being called immediately, the Minister be written to asking if tenders