OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 3

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

The monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Expansion League was held in the secretary’s office on the 29th mlt. There were present Messrs A. Bathgate (chair), A, Moritzson, J. Inglis Wright, J. 0. Stephens, K. S. Ramsay, W. G. Somerville, and' H. E. Wilson.

The Hon. Dr Robert M‘Nab, Minister of Justice, wrote in refer*enco to the establishment of a prison tree-planting camp in Central Otago, and also dealing with the question of the Dunedin Gaol. The Minister stated that the Forestry Department should be approached on the question of the treeplanting camp, and that in regard to the question of the Dunedin Gaol, he was at present inquiring into the whole matter, and would communicate with the Dunedin members when the information is available.

The Hon. J. Allen, Messrs A. Walker, M.P., Chas. E. Statham, M.P., and R. Scott, M.P., also wrote stating their willingness to give the establishment of a prison camp in Central Otago for afforestation purposes their support. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., wrote regarding the same matter, and enclosing a letter to himself from tho Prime Minister, in which tho Hon. Mr Massey stated that he was favourable to the idea of establishing a prison tree-planting camp in Central Otago, and would take an .opportunity of consulting with the Hon. the Minister of Prisons with a view to ascertaining whether it is possible to give affect to the proposal. Mr Sidey also enclosed a letter from the Hon. Dr M‘Nab, addressed to Messrs Statham and Walker, M.P.’s, and himself, in which the Minister stated that with reference to the question of the closing of the Dunedin Prison, and its conversion into a police gaol, the present-buildings are quite unsuitable for the confinement of a large number of prisoners,, principally owing to the want of suitable employment, and therefore it has been found necessary to send long-sentence prisoners to other prisons, leaving practiconly the offenders who would fce ocafined in a police gaol. The proposed alteration will lead to considerable economy in administration. The constitution of the prison to be a police gaol will not effect any future prison requirements in Otago, and “if any tree-planting camp were established The class of prisoners now confined at Dunedin would not be suitable.”—-It was resolved, on the motion of Mr J. C. Stephens, that a copy of the Prime Minister’s letter be sent to the Hon. Dr M‘Nab, and he be informed that we trust that the Prime Minister’s favourable attitude to the proposal will find hearty co-operation on his part. The secretary was also instructed to write to Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., conveying to him a special vote of thanks for his endeavours in connection with this matter. - Mr E. H. Hiley, General Manager New Zealand Government Railways, wrote stating, “with reference to the representations made to this department’s commercial agent, requesting that the term ‘Southern Lakes ’ be substituted for ‘ Cold Lakes ’ in railway advertisements of lakes in Otago, the alterations will be made as the tariff, pocket guide, etc., are reprinted.” The Secretary, Dunedin Ocean Beach Domain Board, wrote regarding the fencing of the Ocean drive, and inquiring if the league would provide the necessary material for the fencing if the board would supply the labour. The cost of tho material is estimated at £3O. —To be informed that the league has no funds for the purpose, and is of tho opinion that the “Ocean drive” should not be fenced.

Mr A. G. Fenwick, St. Clair, wrote stating that, as a well-wisher of the league, he hoped that the league would not sanction the expenditure for fencing the “ Ocean drive,” as requested to do by the Domain Board. The Town Clerk wrote with reference to the application made by deputation from the league for a continuance of the council’s financial aid to the league, that the council resolved that the application be not granted. —Mr J. O. Stephens moved that the secretary be instructed to acknowledge the letter, and express the executive’s regret at the dec’sion of the council, and express the hope that on a future occasion the council may see its way to further assist the league.—-Seconded bv Mr W. G. Somerville and carried. . . Mr G. A. Lewm, hon. secretary Otago Patriotic and General Welfare Association, wrote thanking the league for the generous manner in which it placerl its offices, machinery, and staff at the disposal of the Employment and Belief Committee of the association during the past 12 months Air William Black, secretary of the league’s Alexandra districts branch, wrote regarding progress with the Manuherikia irrigation “scheme, and also enclosing a contribution from the branch of £3 3s. —It was resolved that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the District Public Works Engineer, and also that the Minister be written to regarding the commencement and completion of the. work at the intake before the winter. It was also decided to forward a copy of the letter to the Soldiers’ Welfare Committee, asking them to use their endeavours to urge on the Minister the necessity for rapidly prosecuting the work, so that some of the- ground covered by the scheme could be made available for returned soldiers.