OTAGO CENTRAL TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3021, 7 February 1912, Page 53

OTAGO CENTRAL TOUR.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN SPY OUT THE LAND. CROMWELL'S- ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. (Fbom Oub Special Reporter.) CROMWELL, February 5. The tour of Otago Central, which has been arranged by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce in combination with the Otago Central Railway League, began most auspiciously this morning. The ideal holiday weather probably ha 3 something to do with the fact that only one of \h& 37 gentlemen who had arranged to make the trip (Mr George Thomson) found himself unable to take advantage of the opportunity offered. The party that left Dunedin iu the two tirst-class special carriages provided on the Otago Central train, consisted of 28 gentlemen, representing politics, various branches of commerce, and the prose. Five members of the party—Messrs A. S. Orbell (president of the Otago A. and P. Society), P. R. and W. E. Sargood, H. V. Fulton (secretary of the Otago A. and P. Society),. and E. H. Lough—proceeded direct, .to. Clyde in motors, and met (he main body, .of .the .party there. Mr R. Scott, MP., joined the train at Kokonga, and Messrs James Horn and J. E. Menzies were picked up at other points on the route. Mr C. Weaver, chairman of tad Vincent County Council, ie also a member of the party. The bulk of tho detail arrangements are in the hands of Messrs G. R. Ritchie (president of the Chamber of Commerce) and A. Moritzson, and it is evident that everything nas been carefully thought out. The heat was very oppressive on the journey up, and the travellers readily abandoned themselves to the holiday humour, and made themselves comfortable without undue regard to the conventions of city life. A good supply of huge and luscious peaches, apricots, and plums dispensed by Mr Moriteon proved irresistible and convincing testimony to the fruit-grow-ing capabilities of the Otago Central district. Twenty minutes was allowed for lunch at Ranfurly, and at Alexandra the train was met by tho Mayor (Mr E. Marslin), several councillors, membsrs of the Alexandra Progressive League, ami citizens, who bore tokens of their goodwill in the shape of boxes of more most acceptable fruit. There was some delay at Clyde, as only four out of the nine motor cars that were to take the party over the 13 miles to Cromwell had put in an appearance when the train arrived. All turned up, however, and the last oar got away fiom Clyde about half-past 5. An act cf kind hospitality that was much appreciated by the dusty travellers was met with at tho Waenga Poet Office, where those in charge came out to the cars with dishes of real Central Otago apricots. At Cromwell the leading motors were met and welcomed by the local brass band and a very largo g-athering of people from tho town and surrounding country. In the evening the visitors were entertained at a social and a fruit show. Mr Muirrel (Mayor of Cromwell) presided, and extended a hearty welcome to those who had oome to " spy out the l&nd." He. hoped they would get some idea of what could be done in the district if only water was put on the land. Two things they wanted to make the district attractive were railway communication and irrigation. Mr W. Burnett responded on behalf of tho visitors, arid expressed his sympathy with the aspirations of residents. Mr James Horn, in speaking of the needs of the district, said that he knew gentlemen who, as soon as the Roaring Meg water scheme was started, would plant thousands and thousands of trees in the Cromwell Flat He laid blame on the people of Clyde and further down the lin«. for dropping their support of tho Central line when it reached their district, and also on tho Dunedin papers for advocating its stoppage at Oiyde. He proposed tho health of tho members of Parliament, to which Messrs Frawir. Scott, and Clark, M.P.'s, responded.

Each of these gentlemen expressed his strong desire to see tho railway carried forward and his confidence in the prosperity that systematic irrigation would bri,ng to the district

Mr Gr. Neill, seoretary of the Cromwell Irrigation League, urged the necessity of irrigation, and claimed that the residents had don J everything possible to obtain it. A member of other speeches wore made by residents and visitors on the subject of the development of the district. Mr Burnett roused considerable enthusiasm by strong references to Government promises made to settlers as far back as 1884, but not yet redeemed.

A lavish supper was provided at the close of the evening.

It has been found that the programmo mapped out for the coming days is somewhat too heavy, and so it has been reduced to some extent by the outting-out of one or two small projected trips.