SUPPORT GIVEN BY LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 23633, 7 October 1938, Page 3

SUPPORT GIVEN BY LEAGUE

AFFORESTATION AT WAIKAIA SCHEME TO HAND OVER COMMONAGE A request for support for the Waikaia afforestation scheme was received at a meeting of the Southland Progress League last night from the WaikaiDistricts Progressive and Welfare League. Dr J. A. Pottinger presided. “The Waikaia league has been for some time in touch with the State Forests Department about an afforestation scheme for Waikaia,” stated a letter received from the secretary of the league. “Provided sufficient ground could be secured the forestry officials were in sympathy with our request and were prepared to go on with the scheme. A week ago we held a public meeting at which it was decided to hand over the Switzers Commonage—an area of 2800 acres, less an area of 150 acres kept for grazing purposes, to the State Forests Department _ for afforestation purposes. The remainder of the ground we expect to get on Scrubby Terraces, which is an educational lease area. This area would have to be transferred from the Education Department to the State Forests Department and in case there is any difficulty over this we would like to have your support and sympathy .with us in our efforts.

“I might mention that the whole of the area we have in view is covered with manuka, broom and gorse and is getting worse with each succeeding year,” the letter added. “It is totally unfit for either grazing or pastoral purposes, but on the other hand in the opinion of the State Forests officials it is 100 per cent, plantable. An afforestation scheme would convert what is at present a disgrace to any district into what would eventually be a national asset, in addition to providing useful employment for years for quite a large number of men,” added the letter. It was decided to send letters to the Waikaia league and the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. F. Langstone) stating that the league supported the scheme.

VISIT OF CRICKET TEAM

A letter was received from the secretary of the Southland Cricket Association about the visit of Sir Julien Cahn’s cricket team to New Zealand. “You are no doubt aware that Southland has not been included in the itinerary of Sir Julien Cahn’s cricket team’s visit and I have'been requested by my association to ask that your league strongly support our protest to the. New Zealand Cricket Council, Christchurch,” stated the letter. “When places such as Oamaru, Palmerston North, New Plymouth and Hamilton receive games we are of the opinion that the fifth city, of the Dominion should not be overlooked” the letter'added.

The secretary reported that he had been instructed by Mr John Miller to write to the council, which had replied enclosing a copy'of the letter sent to the management committee of the Southland Cricket Association. Another letter was received from the Cricket Association thanking the league for its efforts. “I am not sure that the letter should have been sent,” said Mr M. H. Mitchel. “A captain of an English cricket team told me that teams would never come to Invercargill because of the accommodation.” The letters were received.

Those present were Dr* Pottinger (chairman), Messrs J. A. B. Walker, D. J. Wesney, Mitchel, W.’ G. Tait, A. H. Hamilton. C. Campbell, J. K. Garrett, H. L. Mair. J. A. Fraser, H. C. Gimblett, G. W. Whittingham, A. F. J. Heath and the secretary (Mr J. S. Dick).