WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1921, Page 4

WEST LAND PROGRESS LEAGUE.

TUESDAY, MARCH ‘22nd

The .monthly meeting of the Committee of the League was held at the County Chambers at 7.35 o’clock. Present Messrs R, Wild .(Chairman) ; A. G- Pilkington, (hon secretary) W. J. Butler, J. Ritchie, R. F. Perham, D. 'J. Evans, G. S. Ridley, W. 1). Logue, T. Car ley and Dr Teichelmann. The minutes of tlie previous meeting were rend and confirmed. The outward correspondence was approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Resident Engineer replying that the necessary survey for Bruce Bay landing was to he put in hand at an early date.—Received. Dir Ritchie moved that the Public Works Department he urged to send down the Engineer as promised to prepare the proposals of ho work. Mr Perham seconded.—Carried.

From Westland Racing Club forwarding a contribution of £5 5s to the funds of the League.—Received with

thanks. It was resolved to apply to the Trotting Club for a similar grant. From the Automobile Club, Westland

Branch, asking support to a proposal to put two turn-outs for vehicles on the Hokitika railway bridge, and requesting that the matter be urged upon the attention of the Railway Department for early attention.—Received. Mr Perham pointed out that under present conditions, with the increasing traffic, the want of the turn outs was seriously felt almost every day. The Chairman favored appointing delegates to wait on 'the authorities and urge the request. Mr Butler agreed to the request being supported and moved accordingly. On being seconded the motion was carried. From 0. S. Ridlov forwarding copy of letter from Dir Holford of, the Canterbury Progress League, suggesting a winter school for farmers for agricultural education at Lincoln College, Canterbury, on lines similar to the Ruakura school. Tt was pointed out the movement would he useful for young farmers and ex-soldiers who had recently gone on the land.—Received.

Mr Ridley said it had been suggested by some northern residents that the instructor lie brought to the Coast and give special lectures. The period- at

Ruakura was a limited one, during which a. series of. lectures was given, and about 70 farmers attended and took a lively interest in the matter. It was not clear yet if Lincoln College buildings would be available. Probably students would have to pay travel ling expenses and board. The instruction would be given free. The Chairman thought an effort should be made to get the winter school established. Mr Butler favored obtaining information as to tho probable cost involved, and when the particulars were available to invite the young settlers to send in their names for the term. A motion to this effect was adopted. GENERAL.

Mr Pilkington enquired whether any impetus could be given to the establishment of a farmers’ bureau. The idea, was to bring the farmers together at intervals to discuss matters, read papers and generally traverse agricul-

turn! and pastoral matters of interest

to the district. In a way this idea rather embraced the winter school proposal. Air Pilkington felt that action might be taken as a means to give sink a useful institution a fillip. Mr Ridley said he had been much encouraged in his local work by Air

Butler’s help in establishing a hoy’s club, and thought an extension of that idea would he useful to the district and its farming development. Air Holford who was moving in the matter in Canterbury, was a very reliable authority on all matters pertaining to agriculture. ATr Ridley went on to support the movement enthusiastically. 'The Chairman supported the movement, and thought tho monthly meetings should he moveable and held in different districts. Mr Butler said his idea of a, boy’s club was founded on the American idea, of corn clubs-- which had had excellent results. The boys were given all acre of ground, and with intensive cultivation they achieved phenomenal results, and as an outcome, the crops of tin- district increased substantially. Here it was suggested boys should start grass clubs. To experiment in regard to better grasses and produce improved fodder results. A lad at Ngaliere | reduced a cocksfoot —one of the best grasses with runners,- and which spread. It was a very useful pastime for tlie lads, leading up to highly important results.

Air Perham said the idea was ail excellent one. They had plenty of waste land producing very little, and if the lads were interested in this matter in their youth, the ultimate results would he of great value to the community. Thq pakilii land was worth taking up, and treating it with the endeavour to produce good feed results.

Mr Butler said the matter was more for research than for cultivation. Tt was a. question of selecting from nature what she had provided already. It was scientific selection of the grain which stamped the boys corn clubs as such a success, and the boys should be taught to experiment among the existing grasses, and select those giving flubest results.

Mr Pilkington, referring to results from swamp lands, said the secret of their utility was good drainage, and the country had obtained its experience! in regard to the matter from the North Island.

Mr Evans moved that a meeting of farmers be convened for 2.30 o’clock on Saturday, April I.6th at the County Chambers, to discuss matters brought up, and that Afessrs Dalgleisb and Ridley be asked to address the meeting on tho subjects mentioned, including a proposal also to revive the annual agricultural show. Dr Teichelmann seconded.—Carried. The proposal to start a farmers’ bureau, including branches dealing with cow testing and fodder supplies, was heartily approved.

Mr Ritchie broached the question of the shortage of labour in the district for public works, and suggested steps be taken to secure additional labor for the. district, ft was resolved to ask the Public Works Department to secure additional 1 fiber from the immi-