Visit Of Mr Jas Bennett, M.H.R.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 404, 4 February 1904, Page 4

Visit Of Mr Jas Bennett, M.H.R.

On Thursday last, Mr Jas Bennet, member for the district, arrived in Alexandra, and later in the day he proceeded to Clyde. During his stay Mr Bennet was interviewed by numerous electors on matters of public concern, to which the hori'. member promised to give his early attentidn. On Friday morning, Mr Bennet, accompanied' by the Mayor and several local citizens, visited; the land on Galloway and Moutere runs which several intending settlers have signified their intention of applying for; The party was accompanied by some of those who have already applied for land under occupation lease and been refused. Mr Bennet appeared to be favourably impressed with the possibilities of the land, provided it was irrigated, and be promised to do what he-could to assist settlers in obtaining the land they desired.

The Alexandra Poultry Go's farm at Springvale was visited en rcrtte, and here upwards of an hour was spent. Mr Bennet and the other members of the party were kindly shown over the ground by Mr R Ross, one of the shareholders, and Mr Toner, the company's manager; and one and all were greatly impressed with the enterprise evinced by the company, who Jiave gone to considerable expense in erecting suitable and upto-date buildinga for the accommodation and breeding of poultry. About 600 birds—including ducks, turkeys, and fowls of divers kinds—were to be seen in various stages of development, the whole of these having been bred from first-class strains of birds, many having been im« ported from America and elsewhere. The whole appearance of the grounds furnished conclusive proof of what the land in the neighborhood can produce under the influence of irrigation,