OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22354, 30 August 1934, Page 2

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the , Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League was held on Tuesday evening, Air J. JAlarlow presiding. The other members present were Alessrs J. Jackson Purdie, F. Reid, A. Smith, S. B. Crawford. J. M'Crae, G. Newey. A. Smiley, H. At. Mackay, W. J. Winefield. J. Inglia Wright and G. Alirarus. The. president welcomed Air Alirams as representative of Port OhalmerA. . . A letter from the Prime Alimster announced that his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester had been invited to lay the foundation stone of the Post Office during his visit to Dunedin, probably on January 21, but details were not yet completed. , , . , In connection with the request for the preservation of the timber on the road hom Gatlins to Southland, the Alimster of Lands wrote stating that no funds were available for the repurchase of Crown lands already alienated, but that a number of timber sections held under the Scenery Preservation Act and the lands belonging to the Forestry Department would he strictly conserved and no cutting of timber along the road frontage permitted. The members expressed satisfaction with the statement and passed a vote of thanks to the Alimster for his courtesy. _ Air W. A. Bodkin, AI.P., notified that he had not been successful in securing a free grant for the Cattle Flat road, but would secure a subsidy for the County Council to assist it in the work. Further correspondence with the Hydro electric division of the public works regarding the route of the high tension line to Halfway Bush was read, and a, report made on the deputation which waited on the Alinister, The final decision of .the department was that the alternative route suggested by the petitioners was not satisfactory from a transmission point of, view and the liiie would follow the originally designed plan. ~ A letter from the Alayor of Cromwell regarding the proposal to divert the water of the Nevis River through a tunnel with the object of utilising the stream for the generation of electric power and the further use of the water for irrigation was submitted for consideration. Alemoers pointed out that in response to publiclyexpressed opinion in Cromwell and other parts of the Clutha Valley, the league had consistently supported the utilisation of Lake Hawea as a source of power .and irrigation, and could not now deseit the proposal unless most convincing arguments were advanced showing the superiority of the new proposal. Ko action could be taken until much further information was forthcoming. , , The president reported that he had attended a meeting of the various interests affected by the Mining Amendment Act called by the Chamber of Commerce. The point upon which he stressed the support of the league was the prevention of the waste of arable land, unless the surface soil was replaced, and that mining on such areas should be permitted onlv when a thorough examination had shown that gold of appropriate value could be, secured. The question of the league sending a deputation to give evidence before a parliamentary committee was discussed, and it was eventually decided that the league should take no further action in connection with the Bill An invitation from the Alayor for, the league to be represented on a committee to consider and adopt the Bristol scheme was explained by the president. The members agreed that the project was worth a trial, but regretted their inability to make a financial contribution towards the funds. Any other assistance it could give would be willingly rendered. The delegates to the recent tourist conference in Wellington—Alessrs G. d. Errington, H. Al. Mackay,.and the Secretary—reported the decision arrived at, and received a vote of thanks tor their services. . , . . , , , In connection with the inquiries being made as to the feasibility of erecting steel works in Dunedin, the secretary ,met the agent of the company on his visit, and on ascertaining what was required immediately notified the president, who took up the matter wholeheartedly. The Harbour Board and City Council were informed. and both bodies displayed a keenness and energy in submitted proposals to the company. The members expressed their gratification, and trusted that the result of the negotiations would be of great benefit to Dunedin. A vote of thanks was passed to , the president and secretary for their services.