OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 22458, 1 October 1936, Page 17

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago Expansion League was held on Tuesday evening, when there was a good representation of members present, the chair being occupied by Mr G. J. hrrington (president). The president welcomed Mr S. Owen, a new member or the committee, and also extended a hearty welcome to Mr A. M’Kinnon, an old and worthy member of the executive, who was on one of his short visits to Dunedin. Mr M'Kinnon s instructive resume of his travels and the advancement in publicity overseas were illuminating, and pointed to the necessity of more activity in this direction, especiallv for the southern districts ot the .South Island. Mr M'Kinnon favourably commented on the recent publicity efforts of the league, and sketched out further activities for tho future. The President reported that he had represented the league at the annual meting of the Automobile Association of Otago, and also the farewell to Mr S B. Macdonald, late chairman of the Fire Board, and a past president ol tho league. It was decided by the members present to extend to Mr Macdonald their best wishes in his new position in Auckland. A letter was received from tho County Clerk, Lake County, thanking the league for its annual reports and efforts on behalf of the province'. Letters were received from correspondents in the North Island and Australia with complimentary references to the new publication on Dunedin. The report of the proceedings ana minutes of the first meeting of the South Island Travel Association and a verbal report of the recent executive meeting was placed before the members. It was stated that the activities of the South Island Travel Association were being watched with interest, and the league trusted that this association would have the national aspect and faithfully cater for the needs of the whole of the South Island. It was decided that the league affiliate with the, association in an endeavour to push the interests of the south. _ Correspondence was laid on the tabic, including telegrams and letters from the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. .Savage), the Minister of Public Works (Mr u. Semple), local members of Parliament, and the Marlborough, Canterbury, and Southland Leagues regarding the Haast Pass road. Those from Mr Savage and Mr R. Semple and local members all contained promises that this important work would be undertaken immediately, and those from the Progress Leagues were all in support, with assurances that the linking up of the Hollyford road was supplementary _ to and not antagonistic to the immediate construction of the Haast Pass road. The league was gratified to hear that this movement for the Hollyford route was not meant to be antagonistic to the Haast, and it was decided to thank the parliamentary representatives for their good offices in this matter. The consensus of opinion was that the opening ot tho Haast Pass road was the key to the satisfactory handling of the tourist question, apart altogether from the opening up of virgin and valuable Crown lands. . A letter was received from x\o. 4 Licensing Authority regarding tho meeting to consider licenses which was to be held to-morrow. The league noted with pleasure that the method of “ Rafferty ” rules obtaining in the past now seemed to be ended, and some co-ordination in transport methods was in sight. It was felt that by this coordinated effort of transportation, travellers, both overseas and local, would have better service in the future. Mr H. M. Mackay, on behalf of New Zealand Airways, reported on the hearing of the petition to the Parliamentary Committee in which the case of New Zealand Airways was taken. lie thanked the league for its help and co-operation in stating tho case to the past and present Governments. On a request from the Southland Progress League for a conference with members in the near future, it was decided to endeavour to arrange a conference towards the end of the month, and at the same time suggest the advisability of holding the next annual league conference in Invercargill. It was stated that the question of the survey of the coasts of New Zealand, and especially the West Coast Sounds and adjacent areas had been an activity of the league for many years. The members noted with pleasure the satisfactory arrangements made with tho Imperial Government for this survey to be carried out, as it was recognised that this southern _ area would have large tourist boats in the future, and an up-to-date survey would render that traffic more secure. The secretary was instructed to forward a letter to the appropriate quarter expressing pleasure at this happy outcome.

It was decided to send a letter of congratulation to Mrs S. Falconer (Miss Bertha Itawlinson) on her musical successes in Australia, as successes such as these were recognised as being excellent publicity ou behalf of Dunedin and the province of Otago.