YEAR REVIEWED

Southland Times, Issue 25363, 15 August 1935, Page 5

YEAR REVIEWED

SOUTHLAND LEAGUE ANNUAL REPORT The twenty-first annual report of the Southland League, for the year ended March 31, 1935, states (inter alia): In recent years the league’s income has been considerably reduced, such being one of the unfortunate results of the general financial stringency. It is regrettable to note that in the last financial year the income was hardly sufficient to cover expenses, and that the revenue account shows a deficiency of £l9 2/7. However, now that the worst effects of the general depression appear to be fast disappearing, the league trusts that many of those local bodies which were forced to reduce their contributions during the bad times, will in the future be able to assist the league to a measure more nearly approaching the support accorded in earlier years. A point that bears emphasizing in this connection is, that if the league’s income could be increased by £2OO or £3OO, its work in the interests of the province could be increased. This would apply most particularly to the exploitation of the accepted value of publicity, in drawing attention to Southland’s potentialities in respect of tourist traffic and the advantages the district has for the prospective settler. The support that has been given to the league by the local bodies has been greatly appreciated and has been an encouragement to members of the executive. This opportunity is also taken of expressing acknowledgment of the support accorded by the private members of the league, whose subscriptions considerably augmented the league’s income. Publicity.

No opportunity has been lost of giving the best possible prominence to Southland’s potentialities, although as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, operations have been somewhat restricted on account of the reduced income. A supply of 8000 advertising stickers for affixing to correspondence envelopes were printed early last summer. Of this number 3000 were used by the Melbourne Office of the New Zealand Government Tourist Department, and 1000 by the Union Steam Ship Company at Melbourne. For the object of assisting towards popularizing the Melbourne-South Island Passenger Shipping Service, 3500 copies of an “Information ..on Southland” booklet were published. Ihe league will have supplies of this publication available for the Marama when that boat commences in the service in November next. Some supplies of folders printed some time ago dealing respectively with “agricultural” and “scenic” potentialities of Southland are still on hand, and will be distributed to the best advantage during the next few months. There is no district in New Zealand and perhaps in the world, which can claim such a magnificent plethora of scenic beauties within easy reach of one another as to be found in Southland. There is a wonderful heritage in such places as Queenstown, Stewart Island, Lakes Wakatipu, Te Anau and Manapouri, the West Coast Sounds, and the Milford Sound Road at present under construction via the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys. No one can gainsay the wonderful possibilities of Southland as a great tourist rendezvous and the business of assisting to let the outside world know about these resorts is so important and the results when accomplished so profitable to everyone, whether- directly or indirectly concerned with tourist traffic, that the league’s existence is justified for this work alone.

Reference might be made to the announcement made a few months ago by the Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts, that the Government had agreed to a substantial grant for the enlargement of the hotel accommodation at Te Anau. The insufficiency of the accommodation at this resort has been a long felt want, and when this improvement is effected the position will be assisted greatly. Melbourne-South Island Service.

All those who pay some regard to the interests and progress of Southland and its port of Bluff, will feel elated at the promise that the Marama is to take up the running in this important service. Her first trip will commence from Melbourne on November 7 next, sailing from there to Bluff via Milford Sound. It is also pleasing to note that Hobart is to be included as a port of call on two of the return trips, sailing from Bluff on December 30 and January 20 respectively. The league has always been to the forefront in pressing for the continuance of this shipping service, and it is indeed gratifying to receive the announcement of the arrangements for the forthcoming summer. Permanency of this service must be urged without restraint. Progress Leagues’ Conference. A proposal has been brought forward by a northern provincial progress league, for the resumption of the annual conferences of delegates of South Island Progress Leagues. It is likely that this conference will take place at Christchurch at an early date, in which case this league will be represented by at least one delegate, lhe idea of representatives of the Provincial Progress League of the South Island getting together in conference once a year, and discussing matters of South Island import in harmony for the object of pressing their importance to the notice of the Government, tends to a vast amount of good in the co-ordinat-ing of southern interests. The league’s assistance was recently given to the Bluff people in their representations to the authorities for an effort to be made towards enabling the continuation of the granite works at Bluff. It appears, however, that there are many difficulties in the way of keeping quarrying operations going, and this is unfortunate, as it means that several men are thrown out of employment by the closing of the works. f

The question of the development of Stewart Island to a degree warranted by its charm as a pleasure resort, has given the executive a great deal of concern. The island depends so much upon the suitability and regularity of its ferry steamer service with the mainland that the league interested itself in this question with the object of seeing that Stewart Island received the very best that was obtainable under the reigning circumstances. The proprietor of the present service obtained an extended mail contract term of three years, and provided there is co-opera-tion between himself and the Stewart Island people, he should be enabled to give improved facilities and amenities in the carrying on of the service. A report has been received that textile mills are to be established at Mataura with the assistance of English capital, and that the works will be amongst the largest of their kind in the world, and will employ some hundreds of operatives. The league has not yet had any confirmation of this report, but it is hoped that the possibility of the establishment of these mills eventuates, for it will mean the addition of an extensive industry for the province, with benefit to all concerned. Preserving Bush Areas. The league is at present making inquiries into the report that steps are being taken by interested parties in an effort to reverse the decision of the State Forest Service to preserve the bush areas adjacent to the Piano Flat

reserve near Waikaia. This proposal is likely to meet with strong opposition, for the public is likely to strongly resent any action that may spoil the outstanding charm of this delightful locality. The league s activities cover a wide field and in this report it has not been possible to refer to any but the more important matters that have engaged the attention of the league during the period under review. It is believed that the services rendered have been most valuable and go to show that the league can be of great assistance to the community and welfare of the district.