Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY. MAY 16 1917 THE CARE OF SOLDIERS’ FARMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY. MAY 16 1917 THE CARE OF SOLDIERS’ FARMS.

In reference to the above question, Mr J. A. Frostiok, the Efficiency Commissioner for Canterbury and West Coast, in a recent interview said : 11 For all practical purposes the only nnres'rioted executive powers possessed by the National Efficiency Board Bre those dealing with the management of soldiers’ farms—-a matter of the greatest importance. It must be evident that the first duty of the Board in this respect was to endeavour, as far as poseible, to encourage private arrangements between the farmer, soldier and his family, or between the farmer-soldier and his neighbours, before bringing into operation the maehinery set np by the Board. This was especially necessary in respect of the First Division farmer-soldiers: As time goes on and farther ballots ate drawn, it will become increasingly difficult for the individual farmer-soldier to make his arrangements. To meet this difficulty machinery already exists, and we are in a position to deal promptly with each farms requiring to be managed, provided that the farms are of such a character as will permit of management by trustees under the scheme approved by tho Government. “In my opinion,” continued Mr Frostiok, “ great credit is due to the members of the various Committees of Advice who have been at work and have succeeded to such an extent that in the whole of the Canterbury Military District at the present moment there are only three applications for the management of farms. Of these, one has been completed to the financial benefit of the soldier, the other two are being investigated* There have been quite a number of arrangements made, and in two districts in particular I have been assured that the people of the district will undertake to arrange for the

management of the farm of every reservist called up, without the assistance of the Board, or its officers ; but in these districts committees of advice

exist, the principal functions of which are the preparation for pcsl-war conditions, Patadoxioal though it may seem, the value of the work is not to be measured by the number of farms under umnagement, but by fho reverse state of affairs—by arranging for the management of farms without the responsibility being put on trustees, the trustees being in every case a last resort. The second part of the Efficiency Board’s first report was with regard to the Board being given power to negotiate for the purchase of small farms where the soldier desires to sell, and the trustees were of the opinion that it was better for the farmersoldier to sell than to arrange for the management of his farm under trustees. A very carefully prepared scheme was submitted to the Govern-

merit; and it was only at the last meeting of the Board—held towards the end of last month—that the consent of the Government was obtained to make this experiment to a limited extent. So far no applications have been received in the Canterbury district for action under this power, and my whole aim is self-help first, so long as the soldier agrees with the provisions made to protect his property.”

A sitting of the Military Appeal Board will beheld at the Magistrate's Court, Hokitika, on Friday, May 25th at 10 a.m. In this issue Messrs W. McKay and Son distribute another inset setting forth some prices of the bargains to be obtained at their jubilee sale which ccmmonces on Friday morning. To enable th"ir stock to be remarked, the premises will be closed ail day to-morrov (fhursday). The Oversets Orchestra will hold its weekly practice at the • Oversea rooms this evening, instead of to-morrow,owing to the Returned Soldiers’ ball taking place to-morrow night. A full attendance of performers :s desired to arrange for future programmes, including au orchestral' concert. A very exoitiog sawing contest tor-k place at the Town Ha!!, Kum&ra yesterday at noon, between three local sports, v z„ H. McMahon, A. Vlich and P. McDonald. The result was A. Viuoh Ist, P. McDonald 2: d, H. McMahon 3rd. The winoiDg tune was 50 aeoends.

St. Mary’s weekly euchre tournament will he held this evening at 8 o’clock. Mr. J. McGabe has kindly donated the four prizes for competition. Two aggregate prizes have also been donated for the lady and gent winning the highest number of games/ for the season. Supper will be provided. and the usual first class music for the social. Admission Is.—Advt.

At an extraordinary meeting of the Moa Farmer’s Dairy Campany (Taranaki) a speaker characterised tho proposal to install a casein plant as a ‘‘Hunnish scheme to assist in the destruction of the British.' Empire.” The nation, he pointed out, was crying out for food, and they were asked to make billiard balls—one of the purposes for which casein is used. The proposal was eventually thrown out by the meeting.

The ball in the Dri'l Shed to take place to-morrow (Thursday) night, under the management of * the Returned Soldiers’ Associa/ion is g ’ing to prove a great succe-s, judging by the interes;it is creating and the attendance W'll be a large one. Very complete arrangements are-being made by the manage, ment.

The tobacco fund of the Hokitika Fire Brigade was arranged some months ago to provide each member at the front with 4/ worth of tobacco monthly. At present two members are at the front, The Brigade has lost four members who have laid down their lives in (he fighting line, to whom feeling reference was made by the Superintendent in his report at last night’s annual meeting of the Brigade. There was a crowded hous/e to witness McLeans’ Pictures last evening, Charlie, Chaplin was at his best in ‘‘His First Vocation,” and kept the audiences in screaming laughter throughout. The first episode of “The Mysteries of Myra” was screened, and judging from the initial display a great treat is. in store for those picture patrons who are lucky enough to lie able to witness the remaining pictures of tho series. Tlio supporting pictures were well up to the usual standard, while the music supplied by the orchestra was of the best. The mysterious seaty were occupied by Messrs Pascoe and Mclnerney, .who were each rewarded with tickets entitling them to witness the next fifteen picture displays free of charge.

The Court of Survey h?ld at Greymouth consisting of Mr T. Hutchison S. and Messrs W. J. Le Cren and E. T. Turner of Christchurch, assessors, gave its judgment yesterday on the appeal by the Greymouth Harbour Board against a decision of the Chief Surveyor of Ships at Wellington. The judgment stated that the proper order to make on this appeal is that upon there being fitted to the steam receiver a lock-up spring loaded safety valve having two separate and independent valves of equal area* but the total area to be in excess oE the area ot the main steam pipe to which it is fitted, and such valve having a waste steam pipe so arranged as to carry the waste steam clear of the engine-room, and then upon such valve being set and locked for a pressure of lOOibs to the square inek by the local Surveyor, a certificate is to issue allowing a boiler pressure of 1501bs to the square inch, reduced to lOOibs at the engine. Costs amounting to £52 11/ were allowed appellants. Recommended. by the medical profession—WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS. For Children s Hacking Cough at night Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. 1/6, 2/6. The cable news m this issue aj aredited to the “ Times ” haa appeared in that journal, but cnly where expressly stated is such news the editorial opinion of the “Times,”

For Influenza take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure, Never fails. 1/6, 2/6. WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS—A tonic that has stood the test of years.

The Military Medical Board will visit Hokitika on Saturday next. The Waimea leaves Picton to-morrow for Wellington, leaving the latter port on Friday for Nelson and the Coast. Ladies kindly providing refreshments for to-morrow night’s laU are requested to leave their donations at, the Drill Shed to-morrow afternoon if convenient.

A small sensation was created at the saleyards at Waihua, North Auckland, the other day, when a youug lady equipped with all the requisites of a drover—stockwhip, dogs, etc —drove a mob of fifty cattle from the yards. The lady drover hand.ed the mob of cattle in ai an experienced and confident fashion as the most season ad male ca tl° drover.

'J he rapid development of the farm tractor in the United Kingdom in consequence of the demand of the Imperial authorises for a machine capable of assisting in the breaking up of large areas of park, grazing and common land, is. likely to be of considerable importance to Now Zealand. The “ Dominion ” states that enquries are being made from this country already regarding the new tractors, which have been ordered, in large numbers by the Department, that is working uuder the direction of the Food Control'er. Several big British factories are producing light, cheap tractors, with petrol or kerosene motors, that can be used to draw a double or triple furrow plough faster than a horse can walk, These tractors are cheap to run and are easily handled, and they will continue to work 24 n-urs a day if required without complaining In fact, night ploughing has been proceeding in some parts of the Dnited Kingdom with the assistance of acetylene lamps. For UhroDie Chest Complaints W oods Great Peppermint Cure. 1/6, 2/6