HOROWHENUA FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 February 1912, Page 2

HOROWHENUA FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

SOMETHING ABOUT THE STATE FARM. The annual meeting oi' the HorowJienua Fruit Growers' Association took place in the Oddfellows' Hall, Levin, last evening, Mr J. C. Neill, the president, presiding over a good attendance. Mr Fosella (the secretary) was unable to be present owing to illness. ANNUAL REPORT. ' The chairman read the annual report, which was ars follows:— During its first year of existence our Association has done what can be considered very good work in establishing the foundation of an institution that will be in the near future of great importance for the fruit industry in the district. Regular monthly meetings have been helil, and were very well attended by its members. Tlicy have proved to be very sociable and of great educational importance. Papers have been read by 31 r Newport 011 propagation, and by Mr Fosella (hon. secretary) on Mr Taylor's (orchard overseer) succossl'ul experiments for the eradication of the woolly aphis from already infested trees, and on Mr Newport's new method of raising trees that will be free from the attack of the scourge. Visits to the experimental orchards were paid, on the 30th March, 11)11, when members were met by Mr Clifton, in charge of the fruit department, and by Mr Taylor, orchard overseer. Valuable information was obtained, and Mr Clifton expressed his opinion that such visits will help to stimulate the interest of the fruit industry in the district and should prove to the Government and Government officials that the orchard department is regarded as a very valuable institution by pomogolists, not only in Levin, but in all parts of the country. A second visit was paid on the 3rd February. 1912. Mr Kirk, director of orchards, Mr Boucher, assistant director, and Mr • Stratford, inspector, met the members of the Association. This visit wa.s made especially to prevent and protest .against the state of utter neglect that the experimental orchard had been subjected through curtailment ol expenses. Mr Kirk explained that retrenchment had been imperative for want of funds. He also explained that Mr Clifton's plans, approved by the Minister, did not contemplate a total abandonment of testing and experimenting, but to reduce it in a smaller 1 area, and the whole of the present testing grown to be converted into commercial orchards. The members of the Association expressed the opinion . that the available funds should be devoted to experimental Work only, and not to the establishment of a commercial orchard. An address under the auspices of the

Association was given in the Druids' Hall on the 18th May, 1911, by Mr Voucher. Mr Kirk was also present. This proved an unqualified success. Mr Mack burn deserves our thanks lor the able manner in which he, at his own cost, represented the Association at the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Conference, held in Motueka on the HO October. The balance sheet of the Association shows a credit balance of 17s [)d. We invite all interested in fruitgrowing to join our Association, and by their assistance help to make it a success. The Association has not yet been in a position to do any co-operative selling of fruit. That will come before long. In co-opera-tive buying we have only made ono transaction in procuring a shipment of citrus trees for distribution amongst the meiiibeiy, and oil that alone we saved in cost more than double the total of the top subscriptions. In closing this report we wish to express our appreciation and hearty thanks to the Horowhenua Chronicle for its liberal support and assistance accorded to our Association through its columns.—J. C. Neill, president; Marco Fosella, hon secretary. Mr Grace thought the report was very favourable. Mr'Arcus: The society is ono of the soundest in Levin. (Applause). The chairman alluded to the shipment of citrus trees which the society had imported, and said that the result showed the value of co-opera-tive doaling. They wore the only citrus trees planted this season in which there had been no deaths in the district, despite the fa«t that it was a very unfavourable season. On the motion of Mr Grace, seconded by Mr New; ort, the report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr Neill proposed that Mr Newport be president of the Association. He was ono of the oldest fruitgrowers in tho district, and showed a lot of enthusiasm in the matter. Mr Newport, however, thought that Mr Neill should be re-elected. The chairman said that the office i of president should be one that went round from member to member. Mr Arcus proposed Mr Grace, who declined and proposed Mr Neill, as he (Mr Grace) thought they could not get a bettor president than Mr Neill. Ho would not stand himself ; he was certain either Mr Neill or Mr Newport would be the best man. Mr Newport, having declined the honour, Mr Neill was unanimously re-elected to the position. Tho following vice-presidents were elected: Messrs W. Newport, Blackbnrne, J. Proose. Mr Marco Fosella was re-elected hon. secretary and treasurer, the meeting being unanimously of opinion that no better secretary could be found. * The following committee was elected : Messrs Arcus, Butler and Bower. Mr Grieg was elected auditor. THE STATE FARM. The chairman read the following motion, which stood in the nam<* of Mr. Fosella: "That this Association regret tie action of /the Governmant' vA btid&iling 6il experi-

mental works in tlie State Farm orchards." Tho chairman seconded the resolution. Ho thought by passing the resolution the hands of tho Department might bo streugthened. He said that Mr Kirk's explanations at the farm when the deputation attended were most unsatisfactory. His proposals were very disappointing. During the discussion it was statod that there was a fine collection of prunes and pears at the farm. One speaker said it was a shame to see the destruction that was going on. Mr Arcus: It is wrong altogether. The chairman: Their explanation of the cider orchard destruction is foolish. They were doing well, and just us they were ready for experimental purposes ."out they came." If cider' did not pay in New Zealand, here was the opportunity to experiment to make it pay, especially in the way of non-alcoholic drinks. Tho resolution was adopted. THANKS TO OFFICIALS. Mr Arcus proposed that the Association thank Mr Kirk and Mr Stratford for having beeii present to attend the hist meeting, and regret that owing to the bad weather the .meeting was not held. This was seconded by the chairman, was unanimously adopted. The secretary was instructed to write and express the hope that they would be able to attend a future meeting at an early date. A FINAL RESOLUTION. Tho following resolution (moved by -Mr Arcus and seconded by the chairman) was adopted: "That the secretary write to the Agricultural Department to inquire if, in the event of fruit trees being removed at the State Farm, it would bo possible for settlers to purchase the same. THANKS. A very cordial vote of thanks was passed to the president and the secretary for their indefatigable services during the past year. The motion was moved by Mr Burt. /•aaeauMi ■ mm*#