THE OTAGO LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2686, 6 September 1905, Page 9

THE OTAGO LEAGUE.

' A mteting of the Executive Committee of the Otago League, held on Thursday evening, was attended by his Worship the Mayor (president), Messrs R. M. Clark, W. Gow, W. Uttley, D. E. Theomin, John Cook, J. C. Thomson, and W. Henderson. An apology for absence was received from Mr C. R. Smith.

A letter was received from the Right Hon. the Premier acknowledging receipt of a petition supported by the league, asking that a sum be set aside for water conservation purposes in Central Otago, stating that the representations would not be overlooked, and that the matter would receive! careful consideration at the hands of the Government. The reply was noted with satisfaction, and it was resolved that a copy be sent to the Water Conservation Commifctee, Alexandra. With reference to the extension of the Green Island railway to Brighton, a letter was received from Mr H. D. Bedford, M.H.R., to the effect that, with Mr J. A. Millar, M.H.R., he was opposed to the prosecution of the work at present, on account of more pressing claims. Mr Donald Reid, jun., M.H.R., wrote advocating an approach • to the Government now rather ■iihan later, when votes will be settled. It -was resolved that in -the. opinion of the 'committee it is inadvisable to push the matter at .present.' " Mr R. ; Wade wrote expressing the satisfaction of.'the Blaokstone Hill Lands Settlement Committee with the manner, in, which. Bieir previous, letter, had been received by. the league, giving further details^as to the lands desired for closer settlement, and forwarding- a copy, of the petition sent to Parliament. It was resolved ,that the Minister of Lands be informed that, while the League is not in a position to express an opinion as to the suitability or otherwise of the lands mentioned in the petition from Blackstone Hill, it warmly approves of the principle of closer settlement, and would strongly urge that the qtiestion of the resumption of lands"4n Central Otago should be favourably considered by the Government.

The secretary was instructed to write to Mr Donald Reid, jun., M.H.R., with reference to the proposed" duplication of the Dunedin-Mosgiel railwayvline asking if the information in- the press as to the early commencement of the work is authoritative.

Letters were received from Messrs H. D. Bedford, J. A.~Millar, J. F. Arnold, T. K. Sidey, W. Eraser, D. Reid, jun., Thos. Mackenzie, and James Allen, M.H.R.'s, all promising continued support to the_ Law-rence-Beaumont railway and opposition to any counter petitions which may be presented.

It was decided that the committee meet monthly in future on the evening of the second Thursday. Mr R. Maris Clark was unanimously appointed deputy-chaifman . of the committee to act in the absence- of the mayor, through his other numerous engagements. Mt J. Stuart White was appointed organising representative of the leaqiip, particularly with a view to the establishment of branches and the increase of the country membership.

Quite an army of swaggers have passed through Eketahuna during the last few days. No fewer than 14 men, chiefly strapping young fellows, reached the town on one day last week. Most of them were steering northwards.

" If there were not numbers of women," said a lady speaker at a meeting at Christchurch last week, " who are better qualified in all ways to sit in the House of Representatives than the majority of the men now representing us, I should be sorry indeed for my sex. Under the present law a Maori or a naturalised Chinaman is eligible to offer himself for election, whilst the most refined and cultured woman is debarred."