BLUFF NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22157, 27 October 1933, Page 3

BLUFF NOTES

PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Bluff Progressive League was held on Tuesday evening. The Mayor (Mr T. F. Doyle) presided over a very satisfactory attendance of representative local people. The chairman expressed pleasure at seeing so many people present. The league had now functioned successfully for some years, last year being outstanding in this respect, Mr Doyle said, and this was largely due to the co-operation of Bluff business people who had given their financial and moral support. One result had been that five or six thousand people had visited Bluff in picnic parties. The league had financially assisted the council in the building of a pavilion in Argyle Park which had proved a boon to picnickers. In view of fixtures ahead it was deemed advisable to enlarge the pavilion and build in additional coppers and for this purpose the council had placed £45 on the estimates. Continuing, Mr Doyle said that the various local bodies in Southland had been circularized as to the advantages of Bluff as a holiday resort, while information had been supplied as to the amount of accommodation available locally for visitors. Reviewing the activities of the league, the speaker said the bulk of the work had undoubtedly fallen on the secretary, Mr G. V. Edge, who had never slackened in his efforts throughout the season. He had met all picnic parties at the train, made arrangements for the carting of luggage to the ground and done all possible in assisting visitors. That his courtesy had been appreciated was evident from the many letters received. The council had also assisted, while the proprietors of Town Hall Pictures were deserving of thanks for putting on programmes practically free when wet weather made it necessary for picnickers to take shelter in the Town Hall. It was the intention of the league to do its best to put forward the claims of Bluff as Southland’s port, Mr Doyle said in conclusion. Much had been accomplished in the past, but future prospects were brighter still, and in this respect the increasing interest displayed by local business people was very gratifying. It should be remembered that there was no intention to make profits. All money received would be spent in improving picnic areas, etc., and thus making the town more attractive to visitors.

The annual report and balance-sheet showed that the league was in a sound position. Subscriptions last season amounted to £25 18/-. The credit balance brought forward from the previous year was £l3 8/2 and these, with various other amounts, made a total of. £5B 8/7. Expenditure amounted to £46 2/8 and, with petty cash, there remained a credit balance of £l3. Many people making their first visit to the port had expressed surprise and pleasure at the amenities of Bluff and wished to return in the coming holiday season, the report stated. The thanks of the league were due to the Borough Council, Town Hall Pictures. Ltd., for much appreciated co-operation and to Messrs J. Mutch, C. Beaton, N. Andersen (all of whom had given their services in various ways free of charge) and to the many who had subscribed to the funds of the league. The report further stated that although the commitments were heavy for the coming season there need be no fear of the league being unable to carry on successfully. The 'report and balancesheet were adopted. Mi- W. H. C. Johnston stressed the need of a good sea bath at Bluff and suggested Argyle Beach as an ideal place for one. He was sure if it was decided to build a bath that local people would contribute generously towards defraying the cost. A letter was read from the Town Clerk thanking the league on behalf of the Borough Council for a donation of £45 towards further work to he done at Argyle Park. The chairman stated that £B6 had already been expended on the park and it was intended to spend a further sum of approximately £96 on additional work this year; also notice boards and rubbish receptacles would be shortly erected by the council and the borough inspector would attend picnics. Letters were received from various school committees and other bodies inquiring as to facilities and dates available for securing Argyle Park for picnics in tbe coming holiday season. The secretary was instructed to make inquiries as to the most suitable coppers for the park and the cost and to afterwards confer with the president. vice-president and treasurer in the matter. Tributes were paid to the work of Mr Edge on behalf of the league by several speakers and in reply he stated that he found great pleasure in pushing the claims of Bluff. The league was only doing what should have been done many years ago and was now so well established that the future could be faced with confidence in regard to its work. It was decided to advertise in the Press and in other ways, the chairman and secretary to arrange publicity. They were authorized to canvass for subscriptions from local business and other residents. The price of membership tickets was fixed at one shilling. , . It was stated that the council intended to have signs erected showing the way to the flagstaff, reservoir and other places of interest, and it was decided to write asking it for permission to cut a road to the entrance of the Glory Track, and to have a notice board erected at the corner of Walker street and Marine Parade. Votes of thanks to Mr Doyle and Mr Edge for their work in connection with the league were carried and to Mr H. W. Campbell for the use of his room for meetings. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, the Mayor, Mr T. F. Doyle (re-elected); vice-president, Mr O. F. Metzger; secretary, Mr G. V. Edge (re-elected); treasurer, Mr W. H. C. Johnston; auditor, Mr J. H. Doyle; committee, all the above officers and Mrs F Williams, Messrs A. McPherson, J. McQuarrie, H. W. Campbell, T. W. Parry ad C. H. Winter, with power to add.