OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23201, 27 May 1937, Page 2

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

MEETING OF COMMITTEE THE CIVIC SQUARE PROPOSAL The monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League was held on Tuesday evening, the president (Mr G. J. Errington) occupying the chair. Other members present wore:—Messrs R. S. Black, H. M. Mackay. R. G. Sincock, A. Smiley, G. Newey, W. A. Scott, J. M'Crae, C. A. Wilson, H. Rowley. T. Scollay, and A. Smith. DUPLICATION OF RAILWAY Amongst the correspondence received were replies from Ministers to telegrams and letters of congratulation forwarded when Cabinet decided to proceed with the duplication of the new north railway from St. Leonards to Sawyers' Bay.—The president said it was a happy day for the league, for it meant the culmination of an agitation which had lasted over 20 years. When the league approached a Railways Committee in 1917 it was joined by the West Harbour Railway League, and, shortly after the close of the war, they were enabled, by the public spirit of the Otago Harbour Board and the gift of patriotic funds, to commence the first section of the duplication to Ravens.bournc. This was followed after some years by the extension to St. Leonards, and now the final stage would be taken in hand. " PICTURESQUE DUNEDIN " The secretary reported that quantities of the new publication "Picturesque Dunedin" had been distributed amongst various societies and institutions, travel companies, etc. The secretary placed on the table congratulatory messages from the Tourist and Publicity Department, the Early Settlers' Association, and many scholastic and commercial institutions which had received copies and had expressed their satisfaction and delight at the success of the league's effort. Mr W. J. Bardsley forwarded an interesting and informative letter in connection with travel facilities and publications, giving many helpful hints culled from his own personal experience and observation, which might be utilised in future publications.—The letter evoked warm commendation, and the secretary was instructed to thank Mr Bardsley for his interest. TOURIST TRAFFIC On tourist matters generally the president submitted the following report:—

" Right from its inception the Otago Expansion League has taken a keen interest in the development of the tourist traffic. Many times disappointment has been our portion because of the ineffective efforts made by those in authority. If economies had to be effected, the Tourist Department was frequently the first to suffer, and good preparatory work was nullified accordingly. During the last decade, however, an altered outlook has been in evidence, and the results from this changed outlook are now beginning to show. " During my recent visit to Australia I could not help noticing the virility and efficiency of our tourist officers there. What is now required is a free-lance officer, one with personality, who could give a satisfactory lecture and show films. In addition, this officer should be free to travel over the various States. During the tourist season the officers are so fully occupied with bookings and inquiries that this outside work has to be more or less neglected, and it is mostly in the off season that the services of the staff can be used with advantage in this connection. Direct contacts at the commencement and during the season influences many to amend itineraries and travel further afield, the guiding principle always being that the prospective traveller demands to know what he is travelling to. " Still, notwithstanding this handicap, the staffs are doing really excellent work and their efforts are resulting in an ever-increasing stream of tourists to these shores. The excellent publications by the department are a distinct help, and the recent publication of one devoted entirely to the South Island should focus attention on the charms of the south. It is pleasing to record that practically all the executive heads of the department have expressed appreciation of-the assistance in publicity given by the Otago Expansion League." ROAD PROPOSAL A letter* was received from the Southland County Council, asking for the league's support to a proposal to link up the road from Waikaia to Roxburgh, via the Old Man Range. The proposal had been submitted by a deputation from the Tuapeka County Council.—As the line of the proposed road would lead it well into the winter snow line, and no member of the executive had sufficient personal knowledge of the terrain to give an opinion, the secretary was instructed to seek further information on the project. CIVIC SQUARE The question of the creation of a civic square by the removal of the old Telegraph Office and the vesting of the land in the City Corporation was again discussed, and correspondence dating back several years was submitted. The basis of the claim, it was stated, was that originally the ground was a Maori reserve as a landing place and that, although it had been appropriated by previous Governments for building purposes, it should now be demolishe-d and revert to public use. The necessity of securing this area now was made evident hy the growth of street traffic and the urgent necessity of relieving the congestion, which threatened to block this main artery of the city.—A small sub-committee was formed to press for an early decision.