EXPANSION LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 18045, 12 August 1922, Page 8

EXPANSION LEAGUE

A YEAR’S ACHIEVEMENTS. The report of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League states that the year brought the successful culmination of one of the league’s proposals—viz., the readjustment of the conditions under which lands were held on lease in Central Otago. As far bade as 1917 this question was exercising hire minds of the Country Development Committee of the league, and by keeping up tire pressure on members of Parliament the league had the satisfaction of seeing the amendments of the Land Acts passed during the hut session of Parliament. The tourist traffic for the year has beep to a great extent minimised by the addition of extra charges by tire department. These additional charges were most keenly felt by patrons of Mount Cook and Milford 'track. The league pointed out to the department that such charges would have a baneful effect upon the number of people taking advantage of these tours, and the event has justified the prophecy. Unfortunately the policy adopted by the Government precludes all hope of any reductions or reconsideration of the position during the incoming year, and the best must just be made of a most unpromising situation. The sanction of the Minister was also secured by the league for the cutting of a track by Mr Leslie Murrell from Manapouri to ‘Smith Sound. This route was opened during the season, and fifty persons have already visited these beautiful but almost unknown waters, A Railways Committee of the league, embracing "representatives from West Harbor and Port Chalmers municipalities, the West Harbor Railway League, and the Port Chalmers Progress League, has been formed, and it has vigorously prosecuted the duly handed over to it of keeping a keen eye upon all matters referring to" transport" by rail, and using every endeavor to have weaknesses and anomalies removed. During the year a branch of the league was formed at Mosgicl, where several local problems are clamoring for solution. The branches of the league in the various parts of the province have gone on their way during the year doing the work that comes to their hands. Beaumont and Momona have interested themselves chiefly in the boys’ _ agricultural competition "in their respective districts. Lawrence and Balclutha have the hydroelectric schemes to further, and the Upper Cluthn the vital question of closer settlement and greater production.