OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 39

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Mr A. Bathgate presided over the monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League on the 27th. . Correspondence which had passed between the Prime Minister and the president on the subject of a State Forestry" Department was considered. The Government is proposing to create this much needed department, and tho president explained to his colleagues the great opportunity which lies before it if a suitable man is placed in charge. The agreed, and tho following resolution,' moved by Mr Bathgate and seconded by Mr Stuart Wilson, was ordered to be sent to tho Prime Minister: —" The executive of the Otago sion League respectfully urges on the Government tho desirability of appointing a scientifically trained man as the head of the Forestry Department when as by bo doing the department is more likely to bo founded on sound lines, especially with regard to the operations necessary for establishing a correct system of sylviculture in the remnants of our native forests, and that no appointment should bo made without first widely advertising for applications." Mr J. Inglis Wright reported the results of a highly -successful tour throughout the Central Otago district, in which he was accompanied by Mr Charles Todd and Mr Poison, chairman of the Upper Clutha branch of the league. The net result of the visit was the reinvigorating of the branches visited and tho formation of new and promising branches in Roxburgh, Miller'3 Flat, and Ranfurly. It was resolved to congratulate Mr J. Craigic, M.P., Timaru, upon his success in launching tho South. Canterbury League.