A HOSPITAL FARM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 311, 20 September 1918, Page 6

A HOSPITAL FARM

TAtUMI BOARD'S VENTURE

LOCAL PEOPERTY INSPECTED

In re'nlv to a letter of inquiry the. secretary /the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board has reccived, information horn the Taronaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board with respect to its farm. . . , . The letter says:-"The original form is situated aljoiit three-quarters ot a mile from the hospital, «'•£ c ™tams about.32 acres. The sum of £/OOjias paid down, and the balance of P« rchase money is on mortgage. Our Old ieopie's Homo is on the farm, and we. therefore get a certain amount ot worK. done by some of the inmates whom tlie doctor considers are fit to do somethin". The work done, however, i« more in the nature of exercise. Oft this farm we have been milking about, sixteen cows, and up to the present we. have been able to keep the hospital and home supplied fairly well with theamount of milk required. Owing to the "rowth of our institutions we now find that wo must increase our nerd mid also the area of land. < Consequently wo have recently acquired an. additional piece of land adjoining containing about twenty-six acres. Aliia land we hold on lease for five years with an optional purchasing clauss. The success of a (farm of this description depends to a very great extent om the capability .of tho farm manager.. Fortunately wo have several members of tho board who are experienced farmers, and they form a farm committee to supervise the management, l niidit also mention that-1 have had some experience im this . direction. Apart (from the supply of milk, I have introduced lately the growing of vegetables, raising of poultry, supply ot eggs, and tho fattening of pigs. 11ns i* done at a small cost, on the refueo from the kitchens Of the institutions. Tho milk is taken to the hospital, and. the refuse from the kitchen and tables] taken back to the farm. It is them put into large coppers and boiled before being fed to the poultry, and pigs. . . During tho year ended March 61, 1918. wo made a profit on farm operations o* £207 11s. 6d.; the chief items of receipt being milk and .vegetables supplied to our own institution!-,, iSM 6s. 2d.; sale of pigs and calves, £111. 15s. 7d., etc. c In connection with the proposal of tho Wellington Board to acquire a dairy farm, a visit of. inspection was paid to Mr. Strand's farm on Gear Island on Monday by the Farm Commititee of the. board. I This property (which belongs to the Hutt, River Board) would not lie sufficient in itse B: to supply the needs of the hospital,, but with the addition of the AYilford Estate (Government property, used for grazing purposes)' ■adjoining, the double area would bo sufficient, with good management, for the present needs of the board. The committee was very favourably impressed with tlia Strand farm. It should be mentioned, perhaps, that Mr. Strand (the present contractor for the supply of milk to the hospital) has been called up for military service, and has to go into camp a little later.