EXPANSION LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 20972, 10 December 1931, Page 2

EXPANSION LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League was held on Tuesday niglit, and wasAmondod by Messrs G. J. Errington (president), T. Harridge, C. K. Smith, James Horn, H. M’Dowell Smith, S. B. Crawford, W. J. Winefield, G. Newey, J. H. Oliver, R. T. Stewart, H- M- Mackay, D. TannOck, and J. Inglis Wright. With respect to recent correspondence which had passed between the league and the Visitors’ Guide Publishing'’ Company, of Melbourne, regarding the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition, a letter of appreciation for the comprehensive information forwarded was received. The question of the further extension of the tar-sealing of the Dunedin-Inver-cargill highway brought up at the previous meeting was again considered, in view of the replies received to correspondence—The Mam Highways Board wrote informing the league that on the conclusion of the present section ending at the Taicri River Bridge the board was prepared to confer with Bruce County regarding the modernising of a further section of the road. —A letter was received from the Bruce County Council stating that it would appreciate any assistance the league would <nve, and that, in conjunction with the Otago Motor Club, it was going into the proposal of sealing the section from the Taicri Bridge td Clarkesvillo. —A correspondent wrote suggesting that the time was opportune for the Highways Board and the local authorities to consider the advisability ot laying the rest of the road with concrete instead of bitumen. The writer pointed out that the stretches of bituminised roads in the neighbourhood of Dunedin were not wearing well; that they were badly corrugated, and bad broken in manj places, necessitating expensive repairs, and that the upkeep of the surface was a heavy claim upon the funds, lie pointed out that, although the concrete road’s first cost was greater than that of bitumen, the resultant upkeep was almost negligible, and great economy was possible. Another point ot even greater moment was that concrete was available locally, and its use would diminish the import of bitumen and give more work in the locality. Hie committee was impressed by the reasons given, and it was decided to place the suggestion before the County Council and highway authorities. ... The p esident reported that ho had attended a conference with officers of the Land and Forestry Departments regarding the transfer of the scenic reserves on Flagstaff, Mount Cargill, and Signal Hill to the City Corporation. The interested bodies bad agreed that the city was the natural and obvious guardian of these areas, and an agreement was being prepared under which tlio departments would transfer the reserves to the city. Details were not yet available, but in the light of the statements made at the conference all objections would be fully met, and the control vested in the council. The main feature of the Public Works engineer’s report on the Hatvea power and irrigation scheme were received by courtesy of the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates). These were considered and reterrecl to the members interested for comparison with the figures of tlie promoters. —It was decided to take further action on receipt of their report. A letter was received from the Queenstown Borough Council stating that it was dissatisfied with the steamer service on Lake Wakatipu, and that it had forwarded a protest to the Railways Board. This protest the league was asked to support, and it was decided to take action along lines indicated by the council. The opinion was expressed by members that a better service should be supplied, especially during the summer season. A report was tabled on the progress of the Association of Commercial Science, members being especially pleased that the movement which had had the league’s heartiest support from its inception was giving every sign of vigorous growth. As this was the last meeting of the year, the president thanked his colleagues for their assistance and cooperation, conveying the compliments of the season to them all. —These sentiments wore cordially reciprocated by the members.