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Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1917, Page 2

The Westland A. and P. Association has performed a useful service in reviving an interest in competitive ploughing. Ploughing, for a time, seemed to be in danger of becoming a lost art. This important adjunct to successful farming was sadly neglected, and the result was a subject for comment by visitors when viewing agriculture settlements. Where pastoral pursuits are becoming such an important part of our local prosperity, tho need for tilling and generally caring for the ground is becoming moro and more patent. Ploughing matches create a useful spirit of rivalry, and must have a beu»ficial effect on the farm lands, which will quickly respond to the attention given them. Tho Association is also taking up the matter of a potato competition, and bore again the organisation will do very useful work indeed. Wo hope there will be a ready response, to this effort to augment the, food supply for that is a direction which will be of Dominion import if the war in protracted unduly. Apropos of an extension of the ploughing enterprise which is so commendable, Oass Square might well he made the scene of a similar competition when in addition to the supplying of a' useful object less on, the service rendered would be of great value to tho property. The reserves Committee would be doing a useful purpose in a double sense by organising such a competition as is now here suggested.

Tiie local interest in the Liberty War Loan continues to bo manifested in n very praise worthy manner. Tho Hokitika Savings Bank has come forward very properly in this matter, and again demonstrated its usefulness as' a semipublic institution. It is pleasing to find the funds of tlie bank accumulating so satisfactorily, and it is gratifying to see that the Trustees are able to *rrange for the investment of the funds in this way. The amount is substantial and is quite more in proportion than jthat being arranged for by a similar institution in the North Island whose business is much more extensive than the local concern. The Borough Council affirmed tho princiuple of investment if legally possible in the right spirit, for the support of the loan cannot he too wide or too general. Local investments are said also to be pleasing in view of the urgent call made for funds, The appeal is so insistent that it is not difficult to understand tmi* the money is urgently required to enable the Dominion to prosecute its share in the war with unflagging interest. For this reason in particular the response cannot bo too liberal nor too general. There only remains a week to make investments in the State guaranteed loan, which offers good interest and sound security to those willing to help their country in this time of general need.