PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 9

PROGRESS LEAGUE.

DELEGATION !N WESTLAND. (.Special to the “Star.”) HOKITIKA. May 38. Members of the Progress league ; delegation conferred with the Westland l branch of the league this afternoon, | Air D. J. Evans presiding. There was some discussion on the j position of Arthur’s Pass tunnel work. • The Canterbury representatives de- ! clinod to express an opinion pending ! detailed investigation. Tt is understood that the delegation ' privately expressed doubt as to the possibility oi opening the tunnel for j traffic before Christmas, basing their j opinion on the slow progress of bnl- ! lasting and the condition of tho | bridge leading to the tunnel at tho ; Arthur’s Pass end. They found that ! little or no Dr ogress had been made with this bridge. Ballasting work now is proceeding from both ends, although tho intention had been to work only from the Canterbury side, where • a steam shovel keeps the crushing plants busy. However, in view of the slow progress the Department decided to rrrtsh also at the Otira end. where j the material is not so satisfactory. The delegation found the electrical | work proceeding satisfactorily, but. i state that only one shift is' being I worked. Good progress lias been made | with tho power house at Otira. j Mr A. G. Henderson, replying to n | request for information at' to-day’s meeting, stated generally that though they might have doubts as to the early completion of the work they acknowledged the attention paid to the undertaking by the Government, which had hastened construction during a vor > Difficult period. Tup delegation would report on the tunnel position at j the next meeting ot the executive-. Mr M Alpine and Mr Climie spoke j generally on the co-operation of Oa.i- ---! terbury and Westland. Arrangements were made for tho j delegation to inspect bridges as far south as tho Manganui to-morrow, *n viow of West Coast complaints that ork on this road has been seriously delayed. Tt was agreed also that arrangements should be made, if possible, to permit Dr Teiehelmann to show his magnificent series of slides of Westland mountain scenery in other parts of the ! Dominion, with a. view to making tho j southern tourist resorts better known. j Tho winter school continued to-day, i when Professor Shellev lectured *n j teachers and Mr Neal and Air Stafford * to farmers. To-night Professor Shell >v ■ delivered a popular Lecture on ‘.Shake- | spearc and the Stage.” Attendance* ! I are well maintained and interest is ii.- ! ! creasing as the school proceeds. Hoki- | | t,ka people express a hope that the school will be made an annual fixture, not necessarily in May, and that an effort will be made to induce more farmers from the Canterbury side r > take part. |