The State Farm

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 January 1916, Page 2

The State Farm

* FAREWELL TO MR J AMES -DRISOALE. H V HOROWHENUA A. AN D P. ASSOC! ATIOfX. A "send-olf" to Mr James Drysdale, manager ot the Wereroa State Farm, who has been promoted* to a larger tiolvermuent 'institutliou., was given in Levin Hast night (at tho Misses MoKeggs' tea rooms) 4jy ; members of the I lorewhenua A. and P. Association. There was an attendance of .some thirty .members and their wives. Mr John Kebbell, president of tlie fiooiety. took the chair, and pretaeed his speech by reading a letter from Mr J. G. Ritchie, of tho Agricultural Department, apologising lor liis unavoidable absence from the function, in consequence of a previous engagement. Mr Ritchie's letter spoke of Mr jJry.sdale s excellent work at the farm, and said it would be difficult to find anyone to lill the situation ;us ably and conscientiously as Mr Drysdale had <louc. 11l presenting Mr Drysdiale with a gold watch, subsfiibed lor -bv members of the Horowhenua A. and P. Association. Mr John tvebbeil spoke of the good work done tor the district by Mr Drysdale ever since he took vliargc of the lain). He had done a great deal, and Mr "Sob-belt only hoped they wouldi get as good a man in Mr Drysdale's place, Mr ivebbell was sure he would be hard to find. He hoped .Mr Drysdale would meet with success and 011 behalf ot the larmers of the district he thanked Mr drysdale for the way he had' helped them. Mr John Da-vies (jvoputaroa) 111 ■second/ing the president's 'remarks, said he never had visited the State Farm without learning something. Always lie had met witH courtesy from Air Drysdale. He was sure that if the Inrme,r.s came forward and spoke truthfully every one must admit that he had been benefited! by Air Dry while's work 011 the farm. .Mr John Howell referretTto his experience off Mr Drysdale during a term of eleven years. Always lie had found him courteous and helpful. W hen he took over the tarm the cows 011 it wei'e 011 ordinary jot; to-day fTiey would be a credit To any place. Mr N. Kirkcaldiie said he felt great regret at losing Mr iDrj'sdiale, and especially at losing from membership of the Horoyhenua A. and P. Association. Me had been a most" willing, and very helpful worker in its interests. Of his help t6 the farming community' Mr Kirl?c£Ti3!c could .-peak at first hand. Often he lutd visited the farm and had sought adrice, aik' had profited from rTon eve- •< occasion. Mr J. W. Boulton, who had known Mr Drysdale from Heyliood, .spoke in terms of high appreciation of Mr Drysdale. Their friendship' 'had never ceased, and it was with extreme regret that he had to part witfrMm now ; lie felt it very much and he was sure the district was losing a very able man (hear, hear !) Major Burlinson saidl Mr Drysdale had assisted them all. He wished Tiiiu and Mrs Drysdale success wherever they might go; they deserved success. AIR .DRYSCD ALE'S REPLY. In replying, Mr Drysdale said he must admit he was in difficulties; he really could, not expiess his thanks and appreciation oi the good feeling expressed towards himself and his good wife, and the kindliness that had inspired the presentation and the sendr oil'. He was sorry he could noT express himself better; his feelings carlied him away, and he hoped they would accept his assurance that he appreciated very highly their kindly thoughts expressed that evening. In going away, although he was being promoted, he felt a certain amount of sorrow ; sorrow at' separating from good friends such as tlio.se he saw around him. He could assure them Tie"would carry with him that feeling of friendship towards them all. it wais eleven years since he took charge of the farm, and a good deal had been done during that time, but a good l (teal remained to be done. But the farm was an asset to the district; there were 700 to 800 acres ready for experimental work, and the gain was in this: tha/t time had been needed to gain this end; mere expenditure of money could not give it; and;, hesicfes,

• time and money spent in thnt direction would not require to be spout again. 'Plie farm now was' in condition TTutt it could be used for various purposes; that it was a splendid fattening farm the prices l brought at auction in Levin by its fattened stock would attest; also it was suitable for a model stud farm an<l dairy farm. If the association, and farmers generally, would visit the farm more, and iinake known their needs in regard te experimental work tliev could have these experimentf* earned out, wherever practicable, in a way that no working farmer could afford to try.; that was one of th(v main works of an experimental farm when properly supported an<li conducted. He was sure that it fanners wonld visit the "Weraroa Experimental

Farm of tenor and in more represthe tnrm oftener and in more representative nunibera, they would find the Agricultural Department wiliiaig to assist them. Fanners came from Inv (M-ca rgiTl ,to wisit this .Harm; they ranie from t.lie North ofAiVokjTantt •but from the district inrm£#fate to the farm the visitors were very tew. That was not fair to other farmers; the farmers nf this district sliouldi take full advantiiCio of the ta'-ilitins offered, * in justice to the farming class generally, <vrite apart from their individual interests. He wnnld like to sec the Horowhenua A. and I*. Assooiati"ii appoint days for regular official visits to the farm; if the association

did that, it would findi the Agricultural iDepartinent to the tore with ita representative, and goodl lor the wnole farming community assuredly would result. In concluding, Mr Hrysdale convulsed his hearers .by expressing regret that he could not invite them to call on him in his new sphere of activity, for on three <Fays a week he would fce ir; a mental hospital, an I tor tu. other three days in a gaol! (Loud laughter). The remainder of the evening was spent in social converse, and the gathering broke up with cheers for tho guests of the evening, and a hearty winging of "God Save tho King."