NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 21

NELSON NEWS

SOAKING RAIN NEEDED

BURNS NIGHT GATHERING

(Special to the"Even!np Post.".)

NBLSONj.-January 26,

Since the beneficial rains which broke, a drought period just before Christmas,, the Nelson district has had another long spell of dry weather. The countryside bears a .very parched appearance, rivers and creeks arc low, and autumn crops, such as apples, tobacco, and hops, are in need of a good soaking. Although the apple crop is heavy, rain is needed now to increase the size and help the colour qualities. Quite a number of fruit growers in the Moutere Hills area have oven been short of water for spraying purposes. Many waterholes, springs, and creeks, never known to be dry before, are now producing no, water. ■•■.■'■.■. -,: ■ • ' ..•■ ■ ;••■-.•■ '■■ ' •

Yesterday afternoon about 80 fruit growers attended -a demonstration of the work being carried.out on.the, Government Research Orchard at Redwood'» Valley. The officers of the Agriculture Department in charge of the work, Messrs." J. Thorp, (manager),' L. .W. Tiller (assistant, manager),'-and J. D. Atkinson ~ outlined the . experiments being made with manures and sprays. I The Research Orchard is carrying -a. heavy crop this year; and it'is anticipated that approximately. 10,000 cases of' export fruit; will come- off the- 20----acre block. The trees are clean and healthy looking., It is considered that the Cox's Orange variety will -produce more than ever before, and there is a magnificent crop on the Jonathan trees.

The Nelson Provincial Scottish Society last night celebrated Burns Night. There was an. attendance of 200, and a fine address was delivered by Mr. T. D. Milne; Chief X>. Malloch presided. Reference was made by the Mayor to the-fact that in 1942 Nelson would celebrate its centenary, and he again expressed his oft-mentioned, desire that the occasion would be marked by the opening of-a Memorial, Hall .to the pioneers of the district. He hoped that before he went out, of \office as Mayor something definite would be done in this respect: ■ He mentioned the establishment of a Pioneers' Memorial Hall in Dunedin, and hoped, that the Nelson people, atihe earliest opportunity, Vould emulate Dunedin. "If I can secure a Pioneers' Memorial-Hall I will achieve what I set out to do," said Mr. Moffatt, in conclusion.