NEW PRESIDENT OF PROGRESS LEAGUE IS INSTALLED

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1948, Page 2

NEW PRESIDENT OF PROGRESS LEAGUE IS INSTALLED

Mr G. R. Harker, chairman of the Transport and Communications Committed during the past year, was last evening installed as the new president of the Westland Progress League, replacing Mr W. D. Taylor who had declined to continue in office. Mr F. A. Kitchingham was elected vicepresident and Messrs T. Pratt, J. B. Bluett and J. Saunders were reelected executive members. Mr E. Parfitt was re-elected auditor. There was no contest for any seat. . There was an attendance’of about 50 members at last evening’s meeting, and a Vote of thanks was accorded Mr Taylor for his services. Four Years In Office Before vacating the chair, Mr Taylor said that when the league was formed in June, 1944, he had taken office for one year, having always maintained that the office should not be held indefinitely by one man. “So tonight I formally retire as president after four years of pleasant, if at times strenuous work and happy association with the council, the executive, the members and the secretary,” he said. “I can truthfully say that I have had full support from every officer and to one and all from officers to the newest member I extend my thanks. To the secretary, Mr J. Saunders, of whose enthusiastic work I have so often spoken, go my very special thanks.. No president could have a better secretary.” Mr Harker said that he took office with diffidence on account of the high standard set by his predecessor, who had broken the ground for him. The balance sheet showed assets totalling £245 11s 5d with no liabilities. The cash balance was £235 compared with £215 at the start of the previous year.

Report on Year’s Work The report, which set out the various matters completed, under action or undertaken by the league during the year, was adopted. Commenting on it, Mr Taylor said that the league was watching the rail-car position very closely and would do its utmost to see that the West Coast received its fair allocation of these useful and speedy vehicles. “Three a day each way is our aim,” he said. Disappointment was expressed at the delay in accepting tenders for the construction of the proposed new Hokitika Post Office, and a motion was passed urging that the tenders received as a result of the third advertisement, after November 16, be dealt with immediately.