The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, FEB 23rd, 1922 FARMERS’ WINTER SCHOOL.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, FEB 23rd, 1922 FARMERS’ WINTER SCHOOL.

Tiik proposal emanating through the activities of tire Progress League to hold a farmers’ winter school in Hokitika about the third week in May, should commend itself very readily to the people of the district. The idea is one of distinct progress and is bringing to the farmers a c ourse of knowledge and information of great value. The district will be indebted to tho Canterbury authorities for the very j practical interest taken in the advancement of Westland. The leading professors of Canterbury College are offering their services in connection with free lectures to the students assembled, which is very pleasing evidence indeed if the new spirit of cordiality existing between Canterbury and Westland. ' rhe local school is to be augmented by

some fifty Canterbury young farmers, who will come across for the purpose of getting the benefit of the lectures and also to see ,tho country. This friendly invasion should lead to what Westland heeds most at this juncture—- • an influx of new settlers to help occupy ' . the waste places. The visit of those young men should be made the most of in so far as affording an opportunity to see the district. In connection with the school itself, visits will be paid to outlaying dairying or farming centres, but at the close of the term it might be possible, as it would. be profitable, to arrange for the visitors travelling further afield and seeing more of the district than in a circumscribed area about Hokitika. In view of the fact that the Canterbury folk are taking such a practical interest in ; our welfare and advancement, and as the visits will be so much to the advantage of the district, the Westland folk should respond liberally to show appreciation of the interest taken. It will be necessary lor’ the yoimg men on the land to endeavour to make a point of attending the winter school. About a week will be required, and as May is the tail end of the dairying season all who possibly can should make a special effort to attend. The cost involved will be only the personal expenses for travelling and board. The lectures will be free and the instruction given gratis. Students will need to provide only for transport expenses for the school will have to be defrayed by subscription, and it will not be too much to appeal to' the local public for assistance. The holding of the school will result in upwards of a hundred people spending a week in town, and this influx will create & stir and result in extra business worth catering for. The School Committee might consider the advisability of arranging for the attendance of the senior scholars at the lectures, all of which will afford special information in negard to various aspects for farming. The knowledge so gained might give tlie pupils a taste for farming pursuits, and any inclined that way should have the bent encouraged. The weeks between now and May will soon run round, and in the interval everything possible should be done by the farmers and public alike to make the farmers's winter school a distinctive success and a special advertisement as ; to the pastoral and farming resources of Westland.