OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22432, 29 November 1934, Page 17

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League was held on Tuesday evening, Mr J. J. Marlow presiding. The other members present were: Messrs W. B. Taverner, G. J. Errington, J. Inglis Wright, W. A. Scott, F. Reid, J. Collins, A. Smith, J. Jackson Purdie and A. Smiley. The question of the Haast Pass road was again considered, when correspondence was read from Mr J. G. Coates and the local members of Parliament—A letter was received from Mr J. O'Brien, M.P. for Westland, who strenuously advocated the continued extension of the road down the western side of the ranges. He claimed that the road over the Haast was the most natural and most economical method of tapping valuable tracts of land in South Westland, a territory which had been idle and isolated longer than any other part of the Dominion. Its natural outlet was into Otago, and the Haast Pass was an easier path across the mountains than any other. His best wishes went with the efforts of the league, and he pledged himself to assist by every means in his power the fulfilment of its objective. Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., wrote in connection with the Queenstown-Glenorchy road, which lie was advocating.—The league admitted the probable necessity of the road in the future as a corollary of the opening of the road from Kingston to Queenstown, but did not think that it should be prosecuted to the detriment of the other roading schemes of the province. It was stated that the completion of the Kingston road would leave a number of men free for the other lake extension, and the completion ol the Lindis deviation would also leave men and machinery at a loose end, both of which could be employed upon the Haast. Correspondence from the chairman of the Railways Board, Mr H. H. Sterling, regarding tourist affairs and' the approaching visit to Milford Sound was received. The county clerk of Lake County wrote pointing out the present position of the Government grants for the Cattle Flat road.—The league approved of the policy pursued by the county authorities under the circumstances. ' Letters from the general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company regarding the South Island-Australia steamtr service were considered by the executive. —lt was decided to await the report of the company upon the result of the summer service and its possibilities 'for the future. In connection with the possible extension of the Sounds trip by law cruising steamers, the general manager of the Union .Steam Ship Company pointed out that the limitations of the present service were forced upon the company by having to use the intercolonial vessels, and only a limited time could be filched from the itinerary. Every effort, would be made by the company to adapt itself as circumstances warranted to the furtherance of the tourist traffic to the western sounds. Correspondence regarding suburban railway fares on the local sections was presented, and the president pointed jut that he had already brought that matter under the notice of the Railways Board and would await its reply before taking further action. As it was the last meeting of the executive prior to the holiday season, the chairman extended to all members his good wishes for a pleasant and healthful holiday and a resumption of their duties in the next year, which he trusted would be a very busy and a very happy one.—The good wishes were cordially reciprocated.