OTAKI COMMERCIAL GARDENERS

Chronicle (Levin), 28 March 1946, Page 3

OTAKI COMMERCIAL GARDENERS

OTAKI PREMISES OPENED PLEASANT FUNCTION Last Friday evening, premises of the Otaki District Commerciai Gardeners' Society, Ltd., were offlciaily opened with a sociai function. The premises measure 30 feet by 40 feet and comprise an office, meeting room, and storeroom. Very favourable comment was general by cnose members and visitors who mspected the buildmg. Mr. E. T. Bartosh, president of the society, welcomed the visitors, who included Messrs. B. V. Cooksley, -uommion president of Commerciai 'Gardeners, Ltd., L. G.' Lowry, M.P., C. F. Atmore, Mayor, F. Ferretti and C. Bertelsen, president and vicepresident respectively of the Hutt Valley Producers' Association, W. Copping, president Levin Gardeners' Association, V. J. Cottle, chairman Otaki — Te Horo Federated Farmers, W. L. Jepson, chairman j^iimary Producers' Council, W. A. Berry, postmaster, and I. B. McLeavey, representing Otaki transport services. Apologies for inability to attend were received from Messrs. W. Wah, president N.Z. Chinese Commerciai Growers, W. K. Dallas, director of horticulture, L. V. Phillips, Dominion secretary Commerciai Gardeners, Ltd., and F. Brock, president Manawatu Gardeners' Association. An outiine of the events leading to the erection of the building was given by Mr. Barcosh, who then called 011 Mr. B. V. Cooksley to officiate. The latter, in fluent style, referred to some aspects of the delegation to Engiand. It was fitting that his last public function before leaving New Zealand should be at Otaki in the interests of production so necessary in the world to-day. After complimenting the society on its progress,' he declared the building open, and wished the committee of management "all the best." The two main requirements for co-oper-ative enterpiise, he said, were good management and loyalty. Mr. Atmore, Mayor of Otaki, expressed pieasure at being present. Commerciai gardening was an industry important to Otaki. His sympathy was with growers when they received a rough deal in the markets. He joined in congratulating the society on its enterprise. Mr. V. J. Cottle said he had great pieasure in representing the Federated Farmers. Referring to Mr. Cooksley's election as Dominion president of the federation, he i regarded it as a comnliment ro tne I standing of the commerciai gard- : eners. He thanked the committee | wr ius invitauon and bongraruiated i't on its "little building." Mr. Copping also tendered his best wishes for the success of the enterprise showh, but suggested that they "hasten slowly." Mr. C. Bertelsen, speaking on behalf of the Hutt Valley Association, pointed out t'hat the Otaki; Society s action in having its own , premises was'unique iii New Zealand and an example had been set for the other gardening associations. Commerciai gardening in Otaki had to increase to provide food for the increasing populations of -Wellington and even the Hutt. He con^ratulated Otaki on its forward sten.

Mr. W. L. Jepson, as chairman of the Otaki Primary Production Council, also congratulated the society. Producers were awakening to the nced of acting in their ] own interest. Mr. McLeavey, as transport repi resrntative, said the store facilities now provided would be appreciated by carriers. Tlicre were great possi1 bilitics from the step taken. j Mr. Berry, postmaster, said he had i experience of some of the difficuli ties of market gardeners. Registra- | tion had achieved some good. A ; strong -organisation would succeed, ; and lie wished the society that suci ce3S- . , , ^ j Mr. Lowry, M.P., who arrived late } owing to another appointment, ! added his congratulations to the ; society. Otaki could produce good healthy vegetables. He took the j opportunity *of wishing Mr. Cooksi ley success in his visit to the London i conference. Mr. H. Gow, vice-president of the society, during the course of the i proceedings translated into Chinese jthe main points of the speeches. ! The gathering spent the rest of j the evening socially. Several toasts ! were given, and the ladies served tea and refreshments.