OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 67

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League was held on Tuesday evening, Mr S. B. Macdonald presiding. The members present were Messrs R. S. Black Charles Todd, G. W. C. Macdonald, J. Y. Love, G. J. Errington, H. Al'Dowell Smith, J. Inglis Wright. H. M. Mackay, E. Tamblyn, and T. Johnston (Bruce County). The members examined with interest copies of the souvenir booklet on the opening of the Lyttelton tunnel electrification issued by the Railways Department, and copies of posters designed for overseas advertising prepared by the Publicity Department. Satisfaction was expressed at the forward movement now apparent in both departments, and good wishes were extended for further progress. The subject of the smoke nuisance at the Kensington engine sheds, which had been brought under the notice of the Minister of Railways (Mr W. B. Taverner), was referred to, and Mr Taverner’s reply was placed upon the table. The success which has attended the use of smokeless fuel at Christchurch was mentioned, and the promise made by the department • that experiments would be pushed forward at Dunedin to ascertain the best methods of minimising the trouble trouble, was accepted. It is intended to follow closely these experiments and secure the earliest possible application of the remedial measures.

The Teviot Fruitgrowers’ Association has invited the president to meet it in connection with the proposed through fruit train. Arrangements are being made in connection with the early visit of Air Rodie, -who will accompany Air Alacdonald to Roxburgh and go fully into the whole problem. The joint action thus taken should result in a schedule of trains despatched which will meet all requirements. The success which has attended the Toko Boys’ Agricultural Club was reported, and the executive looks forward to an interesting harvest report later. As the initiatory stages of this movement in Otago were taken by the league, its interest in its success is still great, and prizes will be provided by the league for the most successful cultivation. It was stated that the cry of to-day was “ more produce,” and if they could assist in training the rising generation to secure greater yields than their fathers an impetus would be given to a worthy object. The correspondence from the Otago Harbour Board regarding the coastal survey was received, and satisfaction expressed at the improved outlook. The subject was provisionally added to the list of requirements to be placed before members of Parliament at the pre-ses-sibnal meeting. The New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League of Auckland wrote inviting the league to send representatives to a conference in Wellington on Alarch 12 to consider the problem of land settlement and migration. In view of the Government’s decision to make the subject a closer settlement one of the policy measures of the next session, the league thought that full consideration of the proposals should take place. It would, it was stated, be inopportune, however, for the league to be directly represented, but arrangements might be made with some local members to attend. The subject matters would be exhaustively discussed and the deliberations of the conference would be helpful to the Minister in framing his new scheme.

The Alarlborough Progress League, within -whose district the annual conference of South Island leagues falls this year, wrote asking for the most suitable date. The Otago proposal carried at the last annual meeting that Alarch was the most appropriate month was considered unworkable owing to the early date of Easter this year. Subject to the approval of the other interested parties the meeting will probably be held in or about the third week in April. A request from the Navy League (Otago branch) that the executive should hear a statement on the opening of a school of navigation in. Dunedin by Captain Watson, was received and acceded to. It was decided that the secretary notify the date of next meeting, and the willingness of the executive to be informed on the merits of the suggested school.

Mr W. A. Bodkin, ALP., made a proposal for a visit to Central Otago, and a re-awakening of the interest both in town and country upon various projects for settlement and intensive cultivation. The needs of the Upper Clutha Valley, especially those of transport and irrigation, he said, called, for united effort. The proposal for an irrigation scheme utilising Lake Hawea as the source of supply was considered, and the executive decided that the possibilities of such a utilisation of natural resources was worthy of investigation. The Alayor of Cromwell also wrote regarding the combination of effort to secure speedy amelioration of longstanding disabilities. It was resolved that the secretary should endeavour to arrange a time suitable to both gentlemen and proceed to Central Otago in furtherance of the project. Air Charles Todd reported that the new hostel at Milford was a most comfortable and satisfactory place of rest and refreshment, and would be a boon to all persons using the famous track.