A. & P. SOCIAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1922, Page 1

A. & P. SOCIAL.

GATHERING AT PRESTON’S. AN ENJOYABLE FAREWELL, Preston’s Tea Rooms were crowded last evening when the Westland A. and P, Association tendered n farewell gathering to the tutors and students at the Winter School. The gathering proved It very enjoyable one, Mr L. IT." Morel (President of the West In ltd A. and P. Association) was in the chair. During the evening songs were rendered by Miss Jones, Messrs Stopfort h. Aldridge, and Lovett, while Professor Shelley gave a reading and Messrs Mall and Lenrnioitt recitations. Miss Daly and Mrs Joyce played the accompaniments. THE TOAST LTST.

The Chairman proposed the tc.a.st of “The King” which was duly honored. Mr Morel then presented the trophies won at the A. and P. Show in March last. These were as follows:

Dinimick Cttp (to he won ” years in stteession, or three times at intervals), to Mr A. Dimniick, for the most points in jersey classes. Clip presented by Knkatahi Dairy Factory for best hull on the ground to Mr C. F. Marshall.

Gold brooch presented by Mr J. .T. Mclntosh, to Mrs C. F. Marshall for best lndv rider. Gold medal presented by Mrs Brock lohurst to Mr .T. Fleming for best Jersey cow at the show.

Mr Morel proposed “The Progress League” referring to the valuable services rendered to the district hv the institution which was a real live body. He expressed pleasure at the visit of the members from Canterbury and thanked them for the great interest shown in the welfare and advancement of Westland. Mr A. G. Henderson, (President of the Canterbury Progress League) responded. They of the parent body on the Canterbury side would like to take the credit, but their part was very small. If there was any credit due it was due to the Westland branch of the League. They had an asset in the district. everything that was needed to make a happy wealthy and prosperous community. The Westland branch of the Canterbury League was endeavouring to push on the welfare of the Const and he urged them to rally round behind them and give them vour wholehearted support. They must help themselves by rallying round their institution and help morally and (iiian•inllv.

Mn \V. J. Butler said lie rose as a iuvellile, one of the offspring of the Canterbury beagne. He would make a suggestion that an effort he made for a continuance of the proposed hoys’ grass club. He felt that this movement would prove of distinct advantage and outlined the movement that was initiated here two years ago. He would like on behalf of this branch of the League to extend an invitation to repeat, the present winter school in August of next year.

Mr (Tirnio responding to the toast said die would he brief, in view of the lengthy toast list. One of the most progressive moves made in Westland for a number of years was the appointment of a teacher for the W.K.A. in the person of Mr Helshaw, and he had proved the right man in the right place, and to him was due most of the credit for the inauguration of the AVinter School. TTe thought he could say that next year the school would he repeated. when he felt that the school would he an even greater success than the present one. Mr I). ■). 10vans proposed the toast of “The Visitors.” Personally lie felt greatly indebted to the distinguished visitors during the week, for what they had done. He was sure when the fame of the school went abroad that those farmers and teachers who had missed it would regret it. They were much indebted to their visitors. They had given their services freely, without cost, and personally he greatly appreciated their work. It was gratifying to see such talented gentlemen give their services so freely) ill the public service which was the truest service of all. lie asked them to join heartily in the toast.

Hi ■ofessor Shelley responded. A\ hen he cast his eyes over the people who bad ina.de the success of this school the first was his great friend Mr Belshaw. Next was a man who had done a great deal of the under ground work and that was Air Dalgliesh. lie had done an immense amount of spade work. The speaker referred in similar eulogistic terms to Messrs Neal, barnett. Pond I i ll'e (the organiser of the W.K.A.) Then came the students whom he thanked for the great pleasure tliev had given him. He had enjoyed his holiday on the West Coast enormously and thanked one and all for the very kind reception they hail given him.

Prof. Colidl iffe responding said that though the credit of the Winter School was due to Mr Helshaw, they must not forgot that Air Helshaw was his pupil, lie emphasised the value of the work done mid outlined how the AA.K.A. had taken over the mamigemoiil of the West Coast. The real New Zealand to know are the people tliev met at KoknInhi Ihe men on the land. The hospitality received me the West Coast had l,pen overwhelmin''. They appreciate it very deeply, lie came over here onlv knowing two people and he weld awav knowing unite a large number whom he was very proud to know. Air Neal responding said in regard jo Mr Butler's suggestion, he said in regard to Air Cutler's suggestion, he: though! beside grass plots a. lie* schools each farmer should have ’ is grass plots and so learn what grasses \yere the most suitable for hfs land. Partners should sock fur their own information. They had here a most practical instructor in Mr "Dalgliesh. They should make their own investigation. Thor seemed to ho insufficient organisation annul*' the farmers. An A. and I*. Association should consist of the whole of the farmers of the district He had been charmed with bis visit to the district.

Mr Cornet f responding said what trouble tliev had gene to Iml been tore oil into a real pleasure. Tu Canterbury thev had suffered from a four months’ drought so the showers thev bad c\p-m'lneed bad proved very welcome indeed.

Mr Hall (Canterbury) responded in happy terms expressing the groat pleasure he had experienced at the visit and his determination to-come again next

year. Afr T, Bcnrmonti on bch«lf pf the

Students, said be brill enjoyed every ttlOlileilt and had gathered a great fund of valuable information.• He.was proud to be able to say that he was one of the number of the first Winter St’huOl. He was deply grateful for the opportunity of having attended the school. Mr W. Jeffries proposed the toast of the “WiiSiAi” He Said the gathering that was an 'indication of what the W.E.A. could do. They were indeblod to Mr Belshnw, Air O’ Fly il n and others For the gathering Of UiO past week. Those piotieers of the W.E.A. on the Const deserved their very hearty thanks for launching this great movement. He asked them to drink I fertile to the W.E.A., coupled with -Messrs lielshnw and O'Flyiin. Mr lielslmw said lie felt that the W.E.A. w;M worthy object Dad deserved every eneonium that oad bicn paid it. The W-.E.A. was an organisation flint had as its object an educated democracy. If was tilt argonis ittoti that had the backing*of the Universities. and all who desi Jed the advancement of the people of New /culm ;'. As regards the (Oast the movement was in its infamy and lie appealed to them to-night to join in helping ill every possible way. Those who have been interested in lie- winter school would have the opportunity of attending a summer school in Canterbury about Christmas time. He was glad he had taken up the work of the W.E.A. feeling it was the most valuable edilclllional organisation of the .present day.

Mr F. O’Flynn (Ruiianga) said the W.E.A. was a yoimg movement to which lie had pleasure to belong. The great success of this was a good repayment of the efforts made by a few in this district. They were alter a higher culture and level of intelligence among the people. He hoped (hoy would have many more supporters of the movement of tiie W.E.A. and help to make the Westland end of the W.E.A. the finest part of the movement. Mr Muleoek proposed “The Farming Industry.” He was greatly pleased at having made the visit. On his visit to Kokatahi ho saw some chaff as good as and he had seen in Canterbury. As far as root crops they were only beginning to find out the requirements of the soil of the district. He urged the necessity of the farmers organising. He looked for a prosperous future for the Coast.

.Mr W. A. Jamieson responded, thanking the gentlemen from Canterbury who had come to teach at the Winter School. He also thanked the Canterbury Progress League, the Westland branch and the W.E.A. The value of Ibis Winter School would prove of great value to the district. It was difficult to attend the school at this time of year and if six weeks later there would be a very large attendance, lie also wished to thank the Progress League fur tlie speeding up of the work on the Otirn Tunnel as a result of their agnation.

Mr J. Fie tiling also responded, appreciating the efforts of the visitors and regretting the inability to lake more advantage of the school than he had been able.

Mr T. O’Neil also expressed bis appreciation of the good work done and the cll'ort to advance the best interests of tlie district.

Mr Judd saiil lie was pleased to be present and expressed bis appreciation of the pioneer farmers of the West Coast.

The Chairman hrieliy thanked the assemblage for their attendance and then the singing of the National Anthem brought the gathering to a conclusion just before midnight.