OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19802, 29 May 1926, Page 2

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE.

The Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League mot on Wednesday evening The members present were: .Messrs S. B.° Macdonald (in the chair), P. R. Sargood, G. J. Errington, C. H. Hayward, Captain Sundstrum, V. Jacobs, J. Ingiis Wright, E. Tamblyh, H. M. Mackay, and W. 11. Brugh. The President reported on the various matters which had occupied his attention since last meeting, including the result ol the deputation to the Prime Minister in connection with the new post office and the definite promise given that this work would be undertaken during the current financial year. . The, subject of a publicity campaign to advertise the South Island, which had been one of tbe suggestions at the recent league conference was discussed in connection with proposals for the issue of, an original guide book, and the edvertising of the South Island scenic resorts in the Christinas numbers of the illustrated journals. It was decided the matter would be further considered on receipt of information regarding tbe position taken up by the other leagues interested. The opening of a road connecting Utago with South Westland, via the Haast Pass, was fully considered, valuable information re"-ardiii or this road being presented to the meeting from Messrs W. D. Nolan and E. James, of Okuru. This route has been aptly named Macandrew’s Bream, as it was the hope of that well-known pioneer to link up'the two provinces by this route, as tar back as the days of the great gold mining discoveries in both districts. The project is being strongly advocated by those living in the adjacent district, and a petition to Parliament is being prepared, asking for the inclusion of a grant for the purpose to be included among those allocated for roads and bridges.—The executive decided that similar action was necessary in Dunedin, and the secretary was instructed to prepare and issue the necessary petition for signature in Dunedin and in Central Otago. The Naseby Citizens’ Welfare League wrote statnm that the State Forestry nurseries In the vicinity were to be closed, and that tree-planting was to cease. Representations had been made, and tbe assurance was received that the Commissioner of State Forests had decided not to close the nursery at Naseby, but to maintain it on its present ' d The reports from the South Island agent in Auckland repeat previous complaints that a number of tourists arrive in the north uort with the idea that the sights of New Zealand consist of geysers at Rotorua, a glow-worm cave, ano the Wanganui River. They allow themselves anything up to 14 days to visit these sights, and therefore have not t'-e time <o cross to the South Island The executive decided that to attract tourists to the South Do,ml it would ha necessary to inaugurate a campaign to b.-ing undei their notice the soothern resorts prior to arrival 'it Auckland, and it would be advisable to carry out publicity activity over The arrangements for the annual presessioiial meeting of the local members of Parliament were outlined, and the details were left to the president and eecftnry to arrange prior to the meeting on June 4.