ITS OWN PROGRESS LEAGUE

Grey River Argus, 7 March 1946, Page 3

ITS OWN PROGRESS LEAGUE

Hokitika Decision

Hokitika is to have its own Progress League and through it, to cooperate with the Progress League in Greymouth. This was the decision fnally reached at a. meeting of over forty citizens on Monday evening, which lasted until 11.30 p.m„ and which considered overtures from Greymouth to join with the organisation in that town. Previously there had been a proposal for a local league to embrace Kumara, Ross and South Westland, but after discussion it was decided that the Hokitika district should be the area of the organisation and that any of the other localities mentioned would be welcomed if they decided to throw in their, lot with the new league. The Mayor, Mr A. R. Elcock, who presided, introduced at the outset, the president of the Greymouth League, Mr W. D. Taylor, who stated that his organisation, the Westland District Progress League, covered the whole of Westland, who had enrolled thirty members in Hokitika. He urged that there should not be a distinct league in Hokitika, but a branch of the Westland League. Mr Ross pointed out that at a previous meeting Hokitika citizens had agreed to set up a local organisation.

The Mayor’ said the previous meeting had also empowered Mi’ M. B. James to inform the Greymouth organisation of Hokitika intentions. Mr Taylor said he had come to urge that there was no necessity for two leagues in towns 25 miles apart. It would be in the best interests of Westland to have one, with a subbranch at Hokitika, adequate representations on the district council, and alternate meetings at Hokitika. It had been decided to hold a league meeting in Hokitika next evening. His league had interested itself in Greymouth harbour, improved coverage by 3ZR, a doctor for South Westland, Wataroa aerodrome, express trains on Mondays, Haast F’ass Road, land clearing, direction of female labour away from the Coast, butter box manufacture and scientific ollicers stationed on the Coast. The league had a district outlook, and had a good secretary in Mr J. Saunders. Unity was strength. Mr'E. Heenan asked what representation they would give Hokitika, Mr Taylor replying that it would be adequate, and meetings would be held at Hokitika.

Mr W. H. Stepforth said it appeared as if Mr Taylor desired to eliminate the term ‘‘progress” from any body set up in Hokitika. Mr Taylor said apparent.lv Mr Stopforth misunderstood his remarks. He was asking for a united body to have a Hokitika committee that would run its local affairs.

Mr McDougall asked if the league at Greymouth had supported any particular site for a West Coast aerodrome.

Mr Taylor said the league had submitted all the sites discussed at the league to the Government. Mr Bryant asked what representation Ross. Harihari and Wataroa and other parts of South Westland would have.

Mr Taylor said the difficulty was the attending of meetings. Mr E. Taylor (Hokitika) suggested that all areas each have a small council, and send a representative to the league. The Greymouth visitors then retired.

A draft of rules for a Hokitika and South Westland League were then submitted.

Mr M. B; Janies favoured ariialgamatibn with the Westland League as in the interests of the whole district. The Koiterangi-Kokatahi Farmers’ Union also favoured amalgamation with the northern district. There did not appear to be any representative from outside districts. All present were Hokitika residents. He moved: That the resolution to form a Hoki-tika-South Westland District Progress League be rescinded.

Mr Sutherland said he favoured amalgamation with Greymouth. It was no use fighting one another. Mr Stopforth said the Businessmen’s Association was determined tc see the business settled.

Mr Hill said they had come to that meeting to form a Hokitika League. There was nothing to be discussed in regard to joining with Greyrnouth.

Mr L. Wilson said the meeting wa= an excellent one. One speaker had said unity was strength, but he quoted historical evidence that it did not mean progress.

Mr Richards moved the closure, Mr Wilson seconding, and the motion was carried. The motion of Mr James against forming a Hokitika-South Westland League was put, and was declared carried by 23 to 18. A speaker asked what this meant, and the chairman said it meant amalgamation with Grevmouth was favoured.

Another speaker said he understood they were voting on a name, not an amalgamation. Mr Roberts suggested that the meeting had no power to take an amalgamation vote. The chairman said the voting was to clean up the position. This was the third meeting to form the league. He was anxious to secure finality. They would take a vote again.

On the second vote there was a majority of 24 to 11 in favour of a Hokitika League separate from Greymouth.

■ Supporters of Mr James’ motion asked for another vote. Mr James said the chairman should adhere to the first vote. The position was clear and the voting decisive.

Mi' Roberts: “Make it the best two out of three.”

The Mayor 'said the voting had decided that a Hokitika Progress League be formed and the meeting could go ahead.

The rules were again produced and it was decided that the name be the Hokitika Progress League. The Mayor was proposed as president, but declined owing to pressure of' business. Half a dozen others proposed all declined. Hon. J. O’Brien was appointed patron, and other officers were elected as follows: President, Mr A. Hill; secretary, Mr J. McDougall; vice-president, Mr E. Heenan; council, Messrs McDougall, P. Blank, A. Thompson and S. J. Roberts; publicity committee, Messrs L. Wilson, J. Richards, H. Peart and E. Taylor; housing committee, Messrs Stopforth, L. S. Ross and H. Macalone; beautifying committee, Messrs D. Frielander, Green, Misses B. Yarrall and J. Stevenson; sports committee, Messrs M. B. James, C. Schroder, D. Gillespie

and D Sullivan; aviation committee, Messrs F. R. Renton, R. Whitford, H. Preston, K. Reece, N_ -Suttie and P. Lewis; industries and commerce committee, Messrs M. Wallace, A. O'Callaghan, E. W. Green, C. Gurbrey, 1. J. Preston and G. Bryant; town planning committee, Messrs R. Watson and C. B. Preston; accommodation committee, Messrs S. Richardson, E. G. Blake and M. Houston. The following were empowered to appoint three representatives': Businessmen’s Association, Garage Proprietors’ Association, Automobile Association. The Borough Council and the County Council are to be asked to appoint representatives. It was agreed to accept members from local bodies, farmers’ organisations, trade unions, sports bodies, school committees, hall committees and all other organisations. It was decided to advise the Greymouth League of the formation of the Hokitika League, to notify willingness to co-operate and affiliate with the Westland District Progress League, provided adequate representation is granted and a proportionate number of the district meetings are held in Hokitika; and to ask what levies would be imposed on members for affiliation with a view to avoiding double subscriptions.