OTAGO EXPANSION

Evening Star, Issue 16350, 16 February 1917, Page 4

OTAGO EXPANSION

‘ POSSJBILITTKS OF CENTRAL OTAGO.’ TTTK PRIMA'FITS VIKWfC 'Die principal speaker ;vi- the Otago Expansion League’s monthly luncheon to-day was (lie Primate of New Zealand (bishop Novill). and Ids subject was eminently material— 'The Possibilities «'t Central Otago.’ Mr A. Bathgate By wav of preamble, IMb Lordship expressed bis great pleasure at the opportunity of meeting tire members of the. league, with whoso objects he was sympathetically interested, although his vocation precluded him from taking an active part in their work. Concerning His subject, lie mentioned that his knowledge of Centra! Otago went back to the days when the gold-mining industry was becoming decadent and when attention was being given to fruit-growing. lie had emphasised Ids faith then in the possibilities of Central Otago as regards fruit culture, because he had noticed that the soil was rich in magnesia.. The, fertility of the soil in that respect had been proved by the great, development- of the fruit, industry, lie proceeded to point out the possibility of great profit in goats. There were, many rough places in Central Otago where goals would thrive, and, their flesh, milk, skin, and hair were all vorv valuable. Goat's, milk was declared to be vory valuu hie. and was recommended strongly by doctors as extremely valuable for consumptive patients. The skin of goats was largely used in the manufacture of Morocco leather, because of its especial property in readily taking and retaining dye. tie also cited the commercial value of the skin of the kids, so largely used in the manufacture of gloves. Wattle trees for tanning purposes could be grown by hundreds of thousands in the gullies'. It had always seemed, to him that Central Otago was particularly suited for the production of silk. Its climate was closely similar to the south of France, and he saw no reason why there should not be as many silk mills in Now Zealand as in Staffordshire or Lyons. He quoted a letter from a silkmamifftc.turor (a friend), who, in response to questions, said that ho would willingly give 7s more for silk of the quality submitted by His Lordship from Central Otago, the reason being that it combined strength with beauty of texture and fineness.

The- Primate’s address was keenly appreciated. and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him.