OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3316, 3 October 1917, Page 30

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

ANNUAL MEETING. The fifth annual meeting of. the Otago Expansion League was hold in the Town Hall on tho 26th ult. Mr A. Bathgate prosified, and there were about a cozen members present. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, congratulated members on the success attending last year's operations. They had been passing through strenuous times, and that had hampered their activities in many directions, hut he thought tho report disclosed that solid work had been done. Country branches had been increased during the year, but the executiva had under consideration tho desirability of still further increasing them. It was desirable that the interests of the league should be as widely spread as possible. No doubt tho prosperity of Dunedin depended upon the prosperity of our back country, and it was only now that the people of Dunedin wore beginning to wake Tip to tho possibilities ofOtago Central. It would make a groat difference to Dunedin if there was double tho population in Central Otago, where the population was steadily decreasing. If irrigation was provided by tho Government and by tho Cromwell Development Company, there would be much greater scope for fruit-growing and for pastoral pursuits. Tho Country Development Committee had presented a very interesting report, and it referred to the great volume of water running to waste. That was a subject lie hoped the committee would devote its attention to in tho coming year, both in tho direction of irrigation and the generation of electric power. A scheme for xitilising water from Lake Hawea * had been mentioned. It was 100 ft higher than Lake Wanaka, hence the value of the Clutha was very considerable. It was suggested that if that water was utilised to generate electricity it could be carried down the Molyneux Valley and used for fruit farms and in other way 3. Ha ventured to suggest to tho committee that it might take steps to bring that special scheme under the notice of the Government in the hope that, when anything could be done, 'there was a chance of it being done. It might be urged that the Government should, as a start, have a survey made, or a report, prepared upon the scheme. Ho hoped the Country Development Committee would continue to urge the establishment of an experimental farm in the Central district, so that farmers would ho instructed as to the right time to use water and the quantity jo be used. The balance sheet showed that they had commenced tho year with a balance of £215 and had closed it with a balance of £lB9. Mr J. Loudon ; seconded the motion, and referred to the utilisation of water power and the wisdom of getting a definite report upon the Havvca-Wanaka scheme. If they had euch a power as that in Otago Central it would be an immense benefit to Dunedin, and to Otago generally. It would also assist mining. He hoped the importance of the matter would be inipressed upon the Government. Another point he wished to emphasise was as to tho Beaumont-Rox-burgh road. Some urged the necessity for a good road, and others advocated a railway. It had taken 15 years to get the railway from Lawrence to Beaumont, and if they had to wait for 15 years for a railway to 'Roxburgh it would be a great injustice to Otago. He was told by a competent engineer that for £IOOO per mile tho road from Beaumont to Roxburgh could be made almost as good as that from Dunedin to Milton. If that could be done he did riot think there would be so much clamour for a railway. Motor transit had come to stay, and £30,000 was surely not a great sum to ask the Government for if it was going to open such a district as Teviot and RoxHe thought the Government should be pressed to make a grant of that sum. It had been under consideration by the Government, arid he believed that at that time tho Government, or the Cabinet, had practically come to the conclusion that all arterial roads should be a charge on the Government, and be paid for out of consolidated revenue. It seemed to him that Otago was justified in asking that that road bo put in proper order. It was certainly a disgrace at the present time. Mr H. K. Wilkinson pointed out that a great • deal of the work of the league was not of a spectacular character, and did not therefore find favour with a largo number of citizens. After the war was over Dun edin should become a much larger manufacturing city than it was. It had cheap power and cheap land close to the wharves, which could be used to advantage in estab lishing industries. Mr W. Wilson, speaking of the hydroelectric scheme, said they were not likely to get much support from the Government just now, as it was too much engrossed with military matters. He thought the leagun should do as the Southland League was doing. A lot of business men were going to Lake Monowai on a visit. They were developing an electric scheme, but did not intend to approach the Government because they did not consider the timo opportune. They wero going to work by private enterprise to begin with, and it seemed better to start with private enterprise, and when the Government was ready to do so it could take the concern over. He thflught they should broaden the League. The Southland League represented the whole of Southland. The motion was carried.

Mr A. Bathgate was re-elected president, Messrs G. Fenwick, A. Moritzson, and P. R. Sargood vice-presidents, Mr H. E. Wilson treasurer, and Mr Peter Barr auditor. Tho speoial committees, six in number, were re-elected, with the addition of one or two names.