CENTRAL OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 19805, 2 March 1928, Page 6

CENTRAL OTAGO

THE IRRIGATORS’ PETITION PRESENTATION TO-MORROW It is some time since Dunedin has beeu honored by the simultaneous presence of four Ministers of the Crown. The occasion calling forth this muchappreciated gathering is the administration of irrigation in Central Otago. Tho Hons. J. G. Coates (Prime Minister), K. S. Williams (Minister of Public Works), and A. D. M'Leod (Minister of Lands) aro to arrive by this evening’s express train from the north, and the Hon. W. Downic Stewart is already in Dunedin.

The petition hum the irrigation settlers praying for a Royal Commission of Inquiry will be presented by Mr S. B. Macdonald, president of the Otago Expansion League, the function being fixed for 10 a.m. to-morrow at the railway conference room, in the upper floor of the Dunedin railway station buildings. There promises to be a thoroughly representative attendance of delegates from the various irrigation settlements. Those who have already arrived in Dunedin comprise Messrs Naylor and Trevarthan (Ardgour), Messrs Ivinney, Bruce, Ivitto, and Lewis (Manuherikia), and Messrs Butcher and Noone (Ida Valley); while those expected to arrive this evening are the delegates from Roxburgh East, Bannockburn, Fruitlands, and Arrowtown. So far no definite word has been received as to representation from Earnscleugh and Ripponvale, but the support of those districts is testified by the signatures to the petition, which document is surely unique for tho remarkably high percentage of the signatures of those interested.