SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 19899, 18 June 1926, Page 6

SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the executive of the Southland League was held in the board room yesterday evening. Present: Messrs W. Hinchey (in the chair), J. A. Broom, W. Alexander, W. McChesney, A. Russell, A. H. Stock, F. W. Preddy, H. B. Farnall, R. D. Newth, F. G. CXBeirne, H. F. Drewe and Dr. Pottinger. CORR ESPON DENCE. Mr C. B. Burns (Wallace County Clerk), wrote stating that he had been directed to approach the league requesting their support in the council’s application to have the Riverton-Orepuki road declared a main highway at the highway review this month. —Left to president and secretary to deal with. The secretary of the Canterbury Progress league wrote as follows: I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter and in reply to inform you that no action was taken by the Canterbury League this year in connection with the restricted express services. In view of the sharp decline in the passenger traffic the prospect of being able to persuade the Deparment to extend the winter time-table did not appear sufficiently encouraging to warrant any action being taken. I might say that the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce requested the Department to postpone the curtailment until a conference could be held, but the suggestion was not acted upon.—-Received. The following bodies wrote forwarding their annual subscriptions:—Queenstown Borough £5, Wyndham Town Board £2O, Bluff Harbour Board £2OO, South Invercargill Corporation £25, Gore Borough £2O, Otautau Town Board £l5, Riverton Borough £lO 10/-, and Stewart Island County £s. The amounts were acknowledged and it was decided to thank the bodies for their subscriptions. The Buller and Westland Progress Leagues wrote advising of their support in the matter of establishing a South Island publicity agent in Melbourne. The Marlborough League advised that they did not support the proposal. GENERAL. Mr Newth stated that in conjunction with Hie secretary (Mr J. S. Dick) he had made inquiries into the matter of theatrical companies visiting Invercargill. He did not think that anything could be done. It was best to leave it in the hands of the Borough Council.—lt was decided to drop the matter. In regard to the running of mail trains to Christchurch the secretary reported having interviewed the traffic manager (Mr W. I. Hessdl). He stated that there were no trains running by which the forwarding of mails could be expedited. The Department would not run a special mail train.— The secretary’s report was approved. In regard to the direct steamer service betw r een Melbourne and Bluff, the chairman said that Sir Joseph Ward had indicated that he would bring the matter up in Parliament and it was decided to write to the jnember concerned congratulating him .on bringing up the matter. Mr Drewe said that a Progress Ijeague had been formed at Tuatapere and the Southland body should write and congratulate the members on their initiative. Their move to conserve the native bush on the Clifden-Tuatapere road was a very wise one and he suggested that they be written to and a.ssured of the hearty support of the Southland League. The bush would prove a great asset for Southland generally, as at the present time there was very little native bush left in the province. —lt was decided to act on the suggestion of Mr Drewe. Mr Russell moved: That the Bluff Harbour Board be asked to erect a notice board at the Invercargill railway station giving advice as to the sailing or non-sailing of the Stewart Island tug from Bluff; also that they inform the Tourist Department. —Mr Preddy seconded the motion which was carried without further discussion. It was decided on the motion of Mr Alexander to write to the Southland A. and P. Association and try to ensure that a Winter Show would be held annually in Invercargill, and also advising them that every assistance would be given in this direction. It was decided to write to the Minister of Mines asking that a geological survey of Southland be taken. Accounts amounting to £23 7/11 were passed for payment.