SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 22043, 16 June 1933, Page 4

SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING.

ROAD TO MILFORD.

The monthly meeting of the executive of the Southland League was held last evening. There were present: Messrs W. Hinchey (chairman), C. S. Longuet, A. S. Russell, J. Stevenson, J. A. Malcolm, A. E. Wish, J. H. Tattersfleld, H. L. Mair, C. Campbell, A. S. McNaught, S. McC. McDonald, M. H. Mitchel, A. J. Hamilton and Dr J. G. Macdonald.

The Town Clerk of the South Invercargill Borough Council (Mr E. Smith) wrote advising that Mr W. McChesney had been elected to represent the council on the executive of the league and Mr T. W. Richards would attend the quarterly meetings. A valuable report on the prize farm competition, turnip competition and swede competition was submitted by Mr A. S. Russell, the league’s representative on the Prize /Farm Committee. The desirability of successful entrants ■receiving more permanent record of their success was mentioned by a member. Other matters of detail were discussed, it being left to the league’s representative to bring these before the committee. Praise for Eglinton Valley. Mr Arthur. A. Paape, of Dunedin, wrote stating that he had received a letter from Germany in which the writer advised that six persons would be coming to New Zealand for a tour and that they intended to make Dunedin their headquarters for the South Island for a month. “Personally, I am greatly enamoured of the Eglinton road,” he said. “I venture to say there are few, if any, who know New Zealand better than I do, but I hand the palm to the Eglinton. Needless to say, if this party does come, I shall see to it that they spend a good deal of time around the Southern Lakes. ‘ “It is pleasing to note from time to time,” the letter continued, “the interest your league is taking in the Kingston-Queenstown road. I have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that Southland has been shabbily treated over this road. lam in the position to know that hundreds of tourists who motor each tourist season from Dunedin to Hawea, Wanaka and Queenstown, would visit Southland, Te Anau, Eglinton and Manapouri if the road were put through. The people of Southland should make a united stand and have their members urge the Government to complete this arterial road. I venture to say this would have been put through many years ago but for the bridging of the Kawarau, this having been accomplished by private effort. The cost of finishing the road, which was well on its way to completion when stopped, would not be a great deal. In the interests of Southland I would suggest that you take the matter up again and push it vigorously to a successful conclusion.” “It is very nice to receive such a letter from Mr Paape,” remarked the chairman. “Mr Paape is an ex-South-lander who is a very strong advocate for Southland’s claims. It is gratifying to note that he is so keenly interested in the Kingston-Queenstown road and so enthusiastic concerning the Eglinton Valley. I think we should thank Mr Paape for his communication.” Mr C. Campbell said that Mr Paape had made reference to the KingstonQueenstown road. The speaker suggested that since Mr Paape played a prominent part in Dunedin business affairs it might be wise to ask him to exert his influence with the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce to get that body to support the completion of the road. The chairman assured members that the league constantly kept before it the need for the completion of the road. Mr Campbell’s suggestion, however, was worth carrying out. Milford Road. “I shall be only too pleased, on my next visit to Invercargill, to discuss the Milford Sound road with your league, if we can make a suitable time,” stated a letter from the Post-master-General, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, M.P. “The road, as far as it has gone up the Eglinton Valley, has certainly created a good deal of interest and is now a very popular motor road.” The chairman said that the league’s principal object was to get more men put on the road. It would probably be wise to wait until Mr Hamilton next visited Invercargill. Mr Tattersfield asked if the pushing of both the Kingston-Queenstown and the Milford road at the same time would not prejudice the chance of one or the other being completed. The chairman said he did not think this would be the case. So far as the Milford road was concerned the league merely wished to see more men put to work. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs W. Hinchey, D. J. Wesney and J. H. Tattersfield was appointed to interview the Hon. Adam Hamilton. Blackmount Road. Mr A. F. Speight, Redcliff Station, Otautau, wrote: “I beg once more to ask your assistance in my efforts to have The Key-Blackmount road put in order. A lot has been said about this road from time to time and I think you are quite familiar with details. If it were possible to have an unemployed camp established here, it would be a great benefit to settlers and also to the general public of Southland. The road from Invercargill to Te Anau, through Blackmount, is about four or five miles shorter than through Mossbum, and is a much more interesting road. People going to the Eglinton Valley,” continued Mr Speight, “could make a round trip, instead of retracing their way over the same road for the entire journey. The Hon. Adam Hamilton, M.P., is in favour of the scheme and if we all bring to bear what pressure we can, there is more chance of getting the work started now than ever before.”

The chairman said it was the policy of the league where roads were concerned to give heed to the wishes of the local body concerned. It was therefore desirable that the letter should be submitted to the Wallace County Council for an expression of opinion. This was agreed to. Geological Survey.

The secretary to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr E. Marsden) wrote as follows: “The Under-Secretary of the Mines Department has referred to this office a letter from Mr H. R. Wilson to you, dated May 8. We have also a newspaper cutting containing an occount of the discussion by your league. One of our geologists has already visited Southland and advised Mr Wilson regarding coal. It is perhaps unfortunate that so far, of the areas in Southland, only a reconnaissance map of, the Waiau Valley and a detailed map covering 80 square miles of country round Nightcaps, has been carried out. A geological survey has been made of only one-third of the area of New Zealand and progress is being made as rapidly as possible as determined by the staff available and, while there is no immediate prospect of a detailed survey of Southland your request will be sympathetically considered at as early a date as possible.” Mr A. S. Russell said that a great deal of interest had been evinced in the suggested geological survey. He spoke of the importance of the matter, his remarks on this point being endorsed by several speakers. Mr Wish said the matter could well be referred to the Hom Adam Hamil-

ton when the Milford road was discussed. This’ course was agreed to, the same sub-committee to represent the league.

Sporting and Scenic Films.

Film Craft, Limited (Wellington) advised that they were making a number of sound sporting and scenic films for release in New Zealand and also a number of the variety type and the assistance of the league was requested in bringing to light interesting items. It was decided to advise that the league was prepared to co-operate in the matter. The oyster industry, dairying, the surge tank at Monowai and Stewart Island scenery were suggested as suitable subjects. *