CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 21

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TOUR.

IN AND AROUND OAMARU

WELCOME TO NORTH OTAGO. KUROW, February 7. The first tour of the back country regions of Otago by Dunedin commercial and business men for 12 years was commenced this morning, when a party of 30 members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, led by the president (Mr A. H. Allen) and the vice-president (Mr A. C. Cameron), left Dunedin by the first express for the north. The journey’ by rail came to an end at Oamaru, where the party remained for some hour? as the guests of the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce. In the evening the tourists proceeded by road to Kurow to spend the night. Before dark an opportunity’ was provided for a cursory inspection of the Public Works Department's colossal development works in the Waitaki, but more time will be spent there to-morrow morning. The journey for the first few hours in the limited confines of the railway carriage provided an excellent opportunity’ for the necessary’ introductions, and by’ the time Oamaru was reached everybody knew everybody else.

COMPLIMENTARY LUNC II EON

On arrival at the Oamaru railway station the party’ was met by Mr J. Fraser (president of the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce) and other members of that body, who escorted them to the Queen’s Hotel for lunch, at the conclusion of which Messrs Fraser (on behalf of the chamber) and F. Crawshaw (Mayor of the borough) extended a hearty welcome and expressed the hope that the tour would be a success from every point of view. Mr Allen, replying on behalf of the visitors, referred to the object of the tour. It was not anticipated they would be able to teach the people in the districts they visited anything, but it was hoped that they themselves would learn a great deal that would assist them to a better understanding of the conditions under which their neighbours in the back country worked. One of the great needs of Otago to-day’ was the development of a community of interest throughout the province. There was too much confinement of activity’ to water-tight compartments, and he thought it was time there was some overflowing from those compartments. Auckland could teach the southern provinces a good deal in this respect. The efficacy of the true provincial spirit was strikingly demonstrated there. Progress was only possible when each section of the community had become interested in and familiar with the aims, requirements, and problems of the others. He sincerely hoped that one of the results of the present tour would be the establishment of a community of interest with all the places and people visited. It was not difficult for one centre to keep in touch with another, as they all had their chambers of commerce and other local bodies, which could meet in conference. But the districts they intended to visit during the coming week had no such representation, and contact with them could only’ be secured and maintained by a periodical interchanges of visits. Perhaps on their present tour they might find schemes of development in the carrying out of which they might be able to lend a hand, and he felt sure that from their short association with leading settlers and the various local bodies to be met with cn route they would derive information and enlightenment that would rebound to the benefit of themselves and the people they met with. Mr Allen also spoke of the changes that had recently taken place in regard to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. For many years they had been content just to carry on in a quiet way, but during the past year or two a growing desire to become a driving force in the community had resulted in increased numerical strength and a widening of the chamber’s activities and interests. In the last 18 months the membership of the chamber had been increased by 215, while prior to that time the maximum membership had only’ equalled that advance. One of the principal features of the work of the chamber at the present time was the strenuous effort that was being made for more adequate recognition of Otago and the South Island generally in the matter of shipping. They were determined to secure the best possible shipping services and facilities. They all knew that adequate shipping arrangements were the mainstay of trade and commerce, particularly in such a country as this. For too long now the South Island had suffered almost commercial ostracism at the hands of shipping companies. and until that state of affairshad been rectified shipping matters must bulk large in the chamber's programme of work. Mr Allen suggested that these were matters that affected the whole of Otago, and in consequence the chamber looked to the whole of the province to support it in Dunedin. They would always be glad to have the support of the Oamaru Chamber, and he felt that if they considered for a while they’ could easily find many avenues of effort along which the two bodies could work hand in hand. He concluded by expressing the sincere hope that the future would bring to light manysuch opportunities. VISITS TO LOCAL WORKS.

After lunch cars were provided to take the visitors to the Oamaru Woollen Mills and the Farmers’ Freezing Works at Pukeuri, at both of which establishments they yvere conducted on comprehensive tours of inspection. All the arrangements for the accommodation and entertainment of the party have been perfect, and the party owes a

special debt of gratitude to the local chamber for the hearty manner in which it set about seeing to the comfort and diversion of its guests. The secretary of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce (Mr H. P. West) is to be congratulated upon the excellence of his arrangements, and upon the gentle but persuasive manner in which he shepherds his party’ from one place to another in his endeavours to keep strictly to the very full programme laid down. AT WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL.

One of the most interesting and pleasurable calls made during the afternoon was that at the Waitaki Boys’ Hall, where most acceptable afternoon tea slaked a good many throats that had become dry’ and parched from hard travelling on dusty roads and where also the whole school was assembled in the Hall of Memories to greet the visitors. On arrival the party was met by the rector (Mr F. Milner), who conducted them on a short tour of the grounds and buildings before he took them to the hall, where a rousing reception was provided by’ hundreds of boys. Musical items, including the fine old school anthem that Harrow gave to the world, “ Forty Years On,” and ” Shenandoah,” were rendered by’ the whole school before the rector, in a characteristic speech presented the visitors. After referring to the pleasure which it gave thjm to receive such distinguished visitors, he made some general references to the trip abroad from which he has just returned. He remarked that he had taken the keenest interest in the secondary’ education of boys in America Canada, Great Britain, France, and Germany, and was convinced that there was no better system in the world than that under which young New Zealand was given its chance to prepare itself for the duties, responsibilities, and difficulties of citizenship. They need not think that this little country’ was behind the rest of the world in these matters, and while on that subject he would like to refer to the firm conviction which he also held, that England yvas leading the world in the agricultural and industrial research, upon which future progress depended. He had been privileged to see much of the work that was being done at the Cambridge, Rothamsted. Aberyst with, and other experimental stations. ami he had been gratified to find that not only’ were scientists making great strides but the Government was alive to the need for the maintenance of an efficient service of research and experiment, and yvas doing all in its power to keep the country abreast of the times In this respect they could take it from him that England yvas far from being a back number. It could teach the world a lot of things yet, and he was pleased to think that the scientific training and general education available in New Zealand now were of a nature that could be expected to carry on the tradition of leadership in this direction in other parts of the world than England. He extended the heartiest welcome to the party and specially thanked those responsible for including the school in the day's programme of calls.

Mr A. 11. Allen spoke to the school on behalf of the visitors, and struck a veryhappy’ note when he urged his hearers not to miss a chance of hearing anything new or of mastering something that would be of benefit to them in the years to come. If they remembered that most of the successful men to-day were not fortunate enough to have half the advantages and facilities the scholars of to-day enjoyed he thought they would not be too careless in the matter of making the best of their opportunities. Ihe vice-president of the chamber of commerce (Air A. C. Cameron) also spoke, and in a short address reminded the boys of the liability they incurred when they went to such a school as Waitaki. There were Waitaki boys in every- corner of the rvorld. and many of them had made good and honourable names for themselves and their school.

Ihe response to the rector’s call for cheers for the visitors shook the rafters. A short stop was made at the limestone quarries just out of Oamaru, and the methods of handling and cutting the stone yvere demonstrated. The visitors were interested to learn to yvhat extent this building material was at present being exported to Australia for some notable construction work in the State capital.

Ln route to Kurow perhaps the most delightful hour of an exceedingly enjoyable day yvas that devoted to the run through the fertile districts of Ngapara. Enfield, and Duntroon. yvhich lay along the route irom Oamaru to Kuroyv. OVER THE LINDIS PASS. PEMBROKE. February S. In the heat and glare of a perfect summer sun the second stage of the Chamber of Commerce’s country tour yvas completed to-day. Over the Lindis Pass the cars toiled wearily, and the dust clouds rose high from the surface of a road that one could hardly believe merited even the doubtful classification of “ secondary highway,’' which the Main Highways Board has attached to it —a narrow stretch of san 1 and stones on which one car is a crowd, especially where the roadman has used his plough with a will and forgotten to complete his job. Then there came tha* oven which is known as the Lindis Gorge, where nothing penetrates but the sun’s rays, and where the road winds around rocky ledges and rough faces as it dips slowly downwards from the 3000 feet altitude which marks the top of the pass Tarras was the first stopping-place, and here the welcome of the settlers was as

warm as the weather, and as gracious as that which was extended to the travellers when they reached Ilawea Flat an hour or two later. A visit to Lake Ilawea and a fast run across country to Pembroke had the effect of postponing dinner long enough to stimulate the appetites of the party. WAITAKI POWER WORKS. There was not one of the party but found the magnitude of the Waitaki hydro-electric development works staggering, and the visit to the miniature city that has sprung up on the banks of the river a ffw miles north of Kurow will remain one of the most vivid recollections of a memorable tour. As an engineering undertaking it is unrivalled in the Dominion, but to the lay mind that is not the rpost impressive aspect of the works. What surprises most is the settlement yvhich has been built up from the usual Public Works Department eamp.

In the works 540 men find employment, yvorking in three eight-hour shifts, which keep the sounds of industry going night and day. The'n there are the yvives and children of this great gang, yvho bring the total population up to the astounding total of over 1200 souls. Nor do these back country’ toilers want for many many of the pleasures and diversions of town life. A moving picture theatre opens its inviting doors two or three times a week, and shops ami stores offer the usual amazing range of goods to be found in the country emporium. 'Tradespeople from Oamaru, Kuroyv, and Waimate have been attracted to this settlement in the wilderness, with the result that, sandwiched in betyveen huts and shacks, are as many shops as can be found in the average "provincial town All manner of foodstuffs are naturally on sale. 'I hat is only to be expected, but one did not expect to encounter in this far-off spot the outfitting stores with large stocks of male and female attire, boot and shoe stores, with the fullest range and variety of footwear and all the little corners where the young fry can eat contendedly iee cream and other indigestible delicacies that tempt the eye of the rising generation. The education of the children is a question that the authorities have tackled to the extent of supplying infant schools engaging the attention of two teachers, the older scholars being accommodated at the Kurow School, four miles away. Religiously the settlement is well catered for, and the Y.AI.C.A. carries on its work in a verylarge yvay. Also, Waitaki-hydro has attained to the proud distinction of having its own special representative of law and order in the person of a uniformed policeman. Even the Postmaster-general is represented at Waitaki-hydro by a tiny but adequate post office. The" Government has not yet seen its way to replace its post office, which was burnt down a year ago, and while they wait the Minister's pleasure the Kurow staff car ries on cheerfully in an abandoned sample room. Before leaving the site of the works, Mr A. 11. Allen (president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce) speciallythanked Mr E. Packwood, engineer in charge, for the courtesy he had shown and for his willingness to submit to the most trying cross-examination from al! and sundry. It is anticipated that with the present rate of progress and given reasonable good fortune the first turbines will be at yvork in two years’ time, but what is going to be done with the enormous output of which -the scheme yvill be capable has yet to be decided. In the morning the party were the guests of Air and Airs R. W. Trotter, who dispensed very welcome morning tea.

THE LINDIS PASS. After Kuroyv had dropped behind the roads grew dustier and stonier and the country looked more and more forbidding, the only bright spots being the tree-encircled homesteads of the handfull of stations yvhich monopolise the greater part of this territory. The long climb up to the top of the Lindis Pass yvas a unique experience, but it might have been more enjoyable if the road had been better and if it had not been necessary, by’ reason of the ridiculous narroyvness of the road, to keep behind the sloyver traffic which fast cars have no difficulty in overtaking.The Lindis Pass road has been classed as a secondary’ highway. but so far has not received any attention from the Alain Highways Board. It represents a stretch of 14 miles, part of yvhich lies in the Waitaki County and the remainder in the Lake County. Neither of these bodies feels that it is able to bear the cost of carrying out the necessary’ widening operations or the very extensive reconstruction work yvhich alone can make it a good road. It has long been a cause for complaint in the district that such a road should run for 14 miles without offering a single passing place for cars except under almost dangerous conditions. The black bridge on the Lindis road appears to lie another thorn in the flesh of the local settlers and the visitors to-day were given practical proof of its unsatisfactory nature. One of the vehicles transporting the party yvas too big for the flimsy structure, while the passengers of the others had the novel experience of being asked by the driver to get out and walk across the bridge because it yvas too dangerous to ride across.

It yvas remarked by an Omarama settler that 780 cars had been known to pass over the road in January, and that a large number of these cars carried the tourists yvhich the Government is doing its best to attract to this country. The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce will

find that the work of reconstruction of this road will be one of the causes for which its support will be expected. AT TARRAS STATION. The party arrived at the Tarras Station early in the afternoon, wherq they were the guests of the local settlers, who had joined with Mr W. J. Jenkins, mine host of the homestead, in providing the party with those comforts that are most acceptable. After a long drive through heat and dust an opportunity was given the party to inspect the yvorking of the Tarras irrigation scheme, and great interest was displayed in the effects of the use of water in this hitherto unproductive region. The district, which experienced a phenomeuonly dry spring, has enjoyed a refreshingly wet summer, and although it is doubtful whether the average 11-inch rainfall will be exceeded very much this year, the water question does not represent one of the present season’s problems. Stock, crops, and pastures are in excellent heart, and everything seems bright for the settler, except the wool market.

Air Allen, the spokesman for the party, expressed the great pleasure which it gave Dunedin business men to come to such far-away districts, and he hoped that the visit would result in the creation of provincial ties that yvould prove to the benefit of both town and country.

Mr Jenkins, in reply, said that the Tarras settlers yvere extremely glad to have the opportunity of receiving the visitors. It yvas gratifying indeed to find city men going out of their way to acquaint themselves yvith the needs and problems of the farmer. IIAWEA FLAT. There was another delightful informal gathering in the public hall at Ilawea Flat, where a sumptuous afternoon tea had been provided. Air D. Urquhart, on behalf of the local people, suggested some of the ways in yvhich the chamber could assist the Hayvea district. His chief plea was for support for the agitation that had for years been directed at the extension of the railway from Cromwell to Luggate. He also suggested that the chamber should work for the bringing in of the Ilawea-AV. naka hydro-electric scheme. An alternative proposal to the completion of the railway yvas the subsidising of local transport services by the Government.

Air Allen, in reply, said that he could not promise support for the railway project, since there were so many losses on existing lines, and he thought that the settlers should abandon all idea of it, and urge the Government to provide them with good roads to make transport easier and cheaper. Nor could he promise support for the subsidy scheme, as it was opposed to the chamber’s policy to encourage the entry of the Government into business in any yvay. They wanted to keep them out. As far as the hydro electric scheme yvas concerned, he understood that that matter was under consideration, but it yvas all a matter of cost and whether the land could bear that cost. The matter would be taken up by the chamber. An instructive and interesting halfhour was spent on one of the Department of Agriculture’s experimental areas, where Air R. B. Tennent demonstrated the type of work the fields division was doing, after which a short visit yvas paid to Lake Hayvea before the party pushed on to Pembroke.