Otautau PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 22993, 12 September 1936, Page 18

Otautau PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE

the annual meeting The president (Mr W. J. Wesney), presided at the annual meeting of the Otautau Progressive League. Speaking to the annual report the chairman said that the year's work had not resulted in any large undertaking being accomplished, although the league had been instrumental in assisting various objects for the benefit of the town and district. The league had been active in supporting the retention of the milling areas in the district, and its efforts had been successful. The league took a very active part in promoting the new proposed road from Otautau to the Pourakino settlement, and some measure of success has been met with. To his mind this road should now go right through to the Pourakino, and this was a matter that should be pushed on this coming year. Opportunity was taken during the visit of Hon Adam Hamilton M.P., to meet him as a deputation, and various matters, such as a public telephone box, stamp vending machine, sawmilling area, dental clinic, reading, and so on, were brought before him. Arrangements had been made for the use of the telephone after hours, and a stamp vending machine had been installed.

Mr Wesney said that the Winter Show had been successful, but had shown a loss of £3 17/1. The show committee had a credit balance of £3l 0/2. The road giving access to the Aparima swimming pool had been reopened, and representation was made to the Town Board to purchase and operate the weigh-bridge in King street, but this matter was not finalized. Further tree planting had been carried out at the recreation ground. Representations were made to the Conservator of Forests about the tree-planting of the worked-out area at the waterworks reserve, but this work was still uncompleted. During the year a staunch and energetic worker in Mr G. Williams had moved from the district, and he recommended that he be made a lifemember.

The following officials w’ere appointed: President, Mr W. J. Wesney; vice-presidents, Messrs A. Fisher and A. Liddell; secretary, Mr D. Ballam; treasurer, Mr E. Leckie. These officials were appointed a special committee. It was decided that the Hon Adam Hamilton should be written to requesting him to interview the Minister of Public Works (the Hon R. Semple) for a grant for the new road, Otautau to Pourakino, as applied for by the Wallace County Council. It was decided to send delegates to Riverton this evening to attend a conference of Western District leagues, and to forward the following remits: (1) The benefit to Western Southland of the completion of the BlackmountRedcliff gap; (2) The benefit to the country generally of the erection of nitrate works at Clifden, the proposition being feasible owing to the copious supplies of lime-stone and the abundant water-power available. It was also decided to bring under the notice of the conference the desirability of supporting the District Nurse Committee and the Wallace Hospital Board in protesting against the proposed extension of the district nursing area, under one nurse, to include Colac Bay and Tuatapere. The subscription was fixed at 2/6. CROQUET The president (Mrs White) presided at the annual meeting of the Otautau Croquet Club. The president said that the club competitions held during the season were won by the following: Championship, Mrs Silverwood; runner-up, Mrs Porteous; handicap doubles, Misses Campbell and O’Brien (prizes donated by the president); singles, Miss O’Brien (prizes donated by Miss O’Brien); A grade button, Mrs White. The following office-bearers were elected: President, Mrs Hall; vicepresidents, Miss Shaw and Mrs Silverwood; secretary, Miss Hay; Mesdames R. Smart, R. Brown, G. B. Burns, Silverwood and White and Miss O'Brien; captain, Miss Hay; deputy captain, Miss Campbell; green rangers, Mesdames Hall and Sinclair; social committee, Mesdames Bums, White and Silverwood; treasurer, Miss Shaw.