UNITED ACTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1628, 3 May 1919, Page 12 (Supplement)

UNITED ACTION.

PROGRESS LEAGUE MOVES,

The Canterbury Progress League is d terinined to keep the claims of the piavtnce under official notice. This morning the league's organiser (Mr P. E. Cliinic) telegraphed as follows to the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen), who is at present in the south: —." Would you kindly advise mo when you expect to arrive in Christchurch on your return north, as a strong deputation, representing the whole of Canterbury's interests, desire to wait on you with regard to the Otira Tunnel, nydro-electricity, and other matters concerning our national welfare. Urgent." It is Mr Cliinic's intention, upon receipt of definite information as to Sir James's return, to organise very strong deputations to place before him Canterbury's just claims in regard to the early completion of the Otira Tunnel and the extension of the hydroelectric scheme throughout the country districts. The need for more adequate railway accommodation at Lyttelton and Christouurcli will also be emphasised. ELECTRICAL SUPPLY. EXTENSIONS TO COUNTRY DISTRICTS. The organiser for the Canterbury Progress League has issued a circular letter to local authorities, inviting them to approve of the following resolutions passed at. the recent meeting of the council of the league: — (a) That a committee be set up to promote the extension of the hydro-electrical scheme throughout the district, and to watch the interests of Canterbury in this connection. (])) That the committee be requested to prepare a scheme of extension. (c) That the committee provide any district requiring it with all information in its power as to the best methods of securing the extension of the scheme (d) That each local body be requested to furnish the committee with all the necessary information regarding the requirements of its district. (e) That the Public Works Department be urged to extend the primary feeders withou'ewlelny as foltows:—Eastward to Akaroa; northward to Culvcrden; southward to Lccston and a brancli at Mcthvcn, and Ashburton, and a supply at Hororala, Darfletd, Oxford, and other centres.

In the course of the letter, the organiser (Mr Climie) explains that a special committee is being set up to deal with this question, but, pending the appointment of its members upon a definite representative basis, which might necessarily take a little time, a Start is now being made with the preliminary work, so as to avoid delay. The first essential requirement iu formulating a definite scheme of electrical extension is the preparation of an approximate estimate of the cost of reticulation, and this can only bcr arrived at Bry first ascertaining tho probable deTmand for current in each district. After consultation with th# engineers of the Public Works Department, who are cooperating to the fullest extent with the league, each county council and road board is asked to supply tho following particulars on a large scale-plan of their district:—(a) Main roads, (b) metalled side roads, (c) dairy factories or other possible power-users, and (d) main farm houses.