OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 3

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The monthly meeting of the executive was held in the league’s office, Stock Exchange Buildings, Princes street, on Wednesday evening. There were present —Messrs Bathgate (m the chair), G. Fenwick, A. Moritzson, J. Inglis Wright, H. E. Wilson, K. S. Ramsay, J. C. Stephens, Crosby Morris, J. T. Johnson, and W. G. Somerville. Mr Lewis Hotop (secretary Queenstown branch) wrote regarding a deputation which had waited on tiro Hon. W. Fraser, when on a visit to Queenstown, and stating that the Minister had promised to use his efforts for the betterment of conditions in connection with the winter week-end excursions to Queenstown. The Secretary of the Tuapeka Mouth Railway League, Tuapeka Mouth, wrote ask'ng the league’s co-operation in organising a deputation to the Minister of Public Works on the occasion of his visit to Dunedin during Show Week.—lt was resolved that the Minister bo communicated with, and the Tuapeka Mouth Le.aguo be advised of the executive’s willingness to assist. and suggest that arrangements bo made through the Bale!utha branch. Mr T. J. Ramsay (interim .secretary of ihe Balclutha branch) wrote advising that the branch had had a meeting, and a strong committee had been appointed, Mr D. S. Stewart (Mayor) being appointed chairman, and Mr G. W. Smith, jun., secretary. A recommendation from the Publicity Committee- to issue, for circulation in the North Island and Australia, a leaflet entitled “A Fortnight in Otago,” with a view to inducing holiday traffic to Otago during the coming season, was approved, the committee to report regarding cost, circulation, etc. A number of other recommendations were also ■ ■ considered and dealt with.

Mr Bathgate reported having, in company with Mr J. Inglis Wright, visited Cromwell and addressed a meeting of representatives of the different branches of the Upper Clthua Progressive League, which meeting had also been open to the public. The representatives were unanimous in their decision to join the Otago Expansion League. Mr Bathgate also reported favourably on the prospects of forming a branch of the league at Roxburgh. Messrs A. Bathgate, P. R. Sargood, and Peter Duncan were appointed to represent the league in the conference to bo arranged with the Otago members of Parliament. It was decided to hold a complimentary luncheon to country members in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Friday, June 4, and the secretary was instructed to communicate an invitation to the members of the country branches of the league. A request from Mr H. Allan to join the farmers on the Otago Peninsula in a deputation to the City Council to try to have the by-laws amended regarding stockdriving was received, and left in the hands of Mr Crosby Morris (chairman of the Country Development Committee). A financial statement for 11 months’ activities was adopted.