OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 51

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE.

EXECUTIVE MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansiou League was held on Thursday evening, the members present being Messrs S. B. Macdonald (chair), D. Tannock, C. H. Hayward, A. E Wilson, R. T. Stewart, R. Tamblyn, L. D. Ritchie, And H. M. Mackay. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P.), Messrs W. R. Brugh, R. S. Black, G. J. Errington, and H M‘D. Smith. The President made feeling reference to the loss sustained by the executive in the death of their colleague, Captain Sundstrum, and a silent vote of condolence an/ sympathy was passed. A report by Superintendent Napier oii the danger of accident by the passing of the fire engine through the central area between the Bank of New Zealand and Manse street was discussed, and it was resolved that a copy of the report be sent to the Otago Motor Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Manufacturers’ Association asking their consideration thereof and inquiring if, after perusal, they would be willing to confer with the league in making joint representation to the City Council. The commencement of the work on the Post Office Bulding. which was promised by the Postmaster-General and the Prime Minister to be started before the end of the present financial year, was brought up in reply to correspondence read by the secretary, who was instructed to write again’ requesting a early and definite reply. The secretary reported that numerous inquirie®had been made recently as to the possibility of would-be immigrants ini other British possessions being granted facilities under the nomination system. For the benefit of all inquirers, the department has re-issued a statement of its policy—namely, only -British subjects resident in the British Isles, with the exception of the Irish Free State or Channel Islands (Guernsey excepted) can be nominated, and if the nominee is married the nomination must include the wife or husband and family (if any). The Southland League wrote inquiring as to its position regarding the recently formed Railway Advisory Board for the southern portion of the South Island. The secretary will give all information in regard to the lately inaugurated board. Letters from the Otago Motor Club, Vincent County and Waitaki County Councils regarding the Lindis Pass Road were received and the suggestion made that a Governmet grant should be applied for in connection with this remote highway was approved. The necessary action will be taken by the league to support the claims of the counties. Letters requesting information about New Zealand were read from England, Canada, and the United States, each writer stating that the notice in the Christmas Number of the Olago Witness had prompted the inquiry. The president congratulated Mr R. T. Stewart on the success of his pneumatic dredge at Kaitangata Lake. Mr Stewart, in reply, gave some interesting details of the work, and cited several places in Otago where the operation of such a machine would reclaim valuable land now utterly waste, and instanced the rich alluvial flat near Berwick, on the banks of the Waipori River. Mr Charles Todd, who recently returned from a visit to Europe, suggested that the following subjects might with advantage be considered by the league, and representations made in the proper quarter for their improvement. WOOL DISPLAY IN HIGH COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE. The fleeces shown there were several years old, dirty, stained, and yellow with age; in striking contrast with the bright, clean samples shown in Australia House. Mr Todd suggests that a few selected fleeces should be sent each year, and the window soiled ones removed and sold. By this means a continuous and ever-fresli display of the Dominion’s most important export could be maintained. WIRELESS NEWS ON PACIFIC STEAMERS. Oil the voyage across the Pacific a daily wireless bulletin is issued. Mr Todd complained that during his recent trip the Australian news supplied was crisp, attractive, well-balanced and wide-ranged, interesting, and informative to both returning natives and prospective visitors. New Zealand news was almost totally absent, and one of the rare breaks of the silence was to report a sordid murder case. Mr Todd believes that news about our tourist resorts —how the fish w-ere biting at Taupo, what sort of creels the salmon fishers at Te Atiau were making, reports of mountain climbing at Mount Cook, thermal activity at Rotorua, swordfish records, yachting news, sporting news, etc., should be disseminated, and would be of service to the Dominion. The suggestions were adopted and the secretary will forward them to the Department interested, and ask for remedied action in each case.