WESTLAND A. & P. ASSN.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1925, Page 4

WESTLAND A. & P. ASSN.

ANNUAL KEPOJVr. To be presented at the Annual Aleetin _!_c to be held in the County Council Chambers, Hokitika, on Friday, September 11th, at 1.30 p.ni. Gentlemen,—lt is my duty, on behalf oi' the Executive Committee to submit to you a report of the past year. 1 regret that a variety of causes have rendered that period somewhat barren of results so far as the Association’s work is concerned. Viewing the year on the West Coast from an Agricultural and 'Pastoral aspect it has been satisfactory, but generally speaking, quiet ; necessitating the exercise of care and patience from a business point of view. These conditions, together with the unfortunate

fact that inter-communication was restricted owing to the prevelancc throughout New Zealand of an epidemic of Infantile Paralysis during tho earlier part of the year, compelled your Executive to postpone the date of the Annual Show several times, and finally to abandon if altogether. It was realised throughout, that lull support should he given to the Health Authorities in their precautions; and, although there was a strong feeling that the Show should he held, the final decision was made as stated. 1 his Association was not alone in this course, and the wisdom of vi doing was verified, so far as we can gather, from the reports of results to some of those Societies who carried through their annual fixtures. Preparations for the Show were well in hand, and a very promising number of entries had come forward when the decision to abandon was made. It is unfortunate that this had to he done, as incidental expenses, in advertising, and printing tlm Show schedule, entry forms, etc. bad already been incurred. The benefits of these were consequently lost. A good comprehensive Schedule had been prepared mid very good response for donationbad resulted. Tim Committee had confidently hoped that a successful Show would have enabled a reduction of tho liability incurred in show ground improvements. .Judging from the entries that did conic to hand there was evidence that the Show would have proved at least oqqal to those of the past. Probably not quite so many brooders as there were last year from outside districts would have been present, yet there would have been a very good representation. Tho absence ot a Show this year will perhaps prove a benefit rattier than otherwise, since it is hoped that renewed interest locally will he manifest after a longer interval. .Meetings. The Executive have met regularly as required, and have given due consideration to all business arising; likewise the suh-eommittee. set up to deal with Show questions. A fuller attendance at such meetings, however, is desirable. South Island Societies.—The lederatinn of the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies of the South Island has been completed, with headquarters at Christchurch, and an executive set up, to which your Secretary was elected a. member, as representing the Westland District. Von will note that in the ('oustit ution as adopted, Westland by itself has been fixed as a District entitled to one representative as suggested by Us. Tile Federation coniprises the niaiiirity oh the South Island Socities. mid lias already under eonsideration a number ol matters afieeting the interests of such bodies. Winter Fanil School. - 'I his year the Winter Farm School was conducted entirely liv the Agricultural Department. and after due consideration, acquiesced in liv this Committee took the form of a travelling School. Detail local arrangements were In the bauds of ,\lr ('. S. Dalglicsli. District Fields Instructor, who spared no ell'orts towards its success. Locally. lectures, occupying the full afternoon and ovorArahttru and Knkatabi. at which there were verv satisfactory attendances. Exi cedi nglv interesting and instructive short lectures ami ilem.mst ra l ions on swine management, wool production and management and improvement. of sheep. Agriculture. Pasture Establishment and -Management. Diseases and Conditions allceting Dairy Cattle and Sheep. were given hv .Messrs .1. Kerrigan, F. Itruce Levy. F. W. Goringe, F. !•). Ward. .1. G. Cook, and l.ukey. all experts in their particular subjects. Time would not then permit of a visit further South than Hokitika, as had been intended. Imt arrangements are being made for this at a date in tlm near future, and will not tie lost sight of. The District is very much indebted to tin- Director of Agriculture and the Departmental Olli< ers lor their valuable services, and no opportunity should be lost by every settlcr throughout the district to take full advantage in the future of the information and instruction which the Department is so ready to impart.

Pedigree Slock.—The Committee Hole with sa t i-t net ion llinl new lilimi] eointinucs to lie imported into the distrift l>\ stock breeders. During the Vein valuable "registered animal- of hoJi sexes in Ayreshire, .Jersey. Holstein mill Short horn cuttle have heen :ic<|iiiro(l 'iy herd owners, also several pedigree Yorkshire mid Tmnworth hoars. The enterprise of these farmers deserves the host of success, and the results will he watched wiih interest. I’ig roaring is a hraneli of farming which should lie fostered as being a vnluahle adjunct to dairying, consequently the Committee, while not hoinc; aide, on the score of expense, to support to the lull the representations to the Government hy the Bullet' Association. lor the establishment of n training school for haeon curing, si ronely urged that provision for instruction should ho included in the synMbits ol Agricultural Colleges.

Winter Show.—Those associated in the oonduet oi the Kokatahi-Koiter angi Winter Show, arc again to he congratulated on the complete success of their annual fixture, which this year occupied two days. Such -howarc of instructional and advertising value, and the fact of unflagging interest on the part of the -i-tilcrs of

the district concerned augur- well for the future of same. Royal Show.-—lnterest this year in the Royal Show should tie stimulated by the fat t that it is to ho hold in Christchurch. The Royal Agricultural Society is now taking over the duties of the New Zealand Council ot Agriculture. and as it- main object i- to foster Agricultural matters in all aspects throughout the Dominion membership is recommended to all those who-e interests lie in that direction. The annual too is one guinea. Kindred Societies. Reciprocal relation- have lieoti maintained with the West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral and industrial Association. There is no doubt that bv mutual help and cooperation a much greater scope of good work can he effected for Westland. and it is hoped that this -Tate of things will continue and Increase. We have also kept in touch with Societies further afield.

Show Ground.—With regard 10 our show ground the most of the heavier work of improvement wn- effected last year. It was hoped to plough and lay it down afresh, hut this much needed work has l>een in abeyance. This work should be put in hand at an early date, in order not only that the grounds may be in condition for the next Show, but that the Association

may reap the benefit of the considerable outlay already incurred. Opportunity will be taken in the laying down to prepare experimental and demonstration grass plots. The total expenditure to date, including interest on overdraft in respect of the Show Ground is Ll(>7 lAs 7d. Comer,d.—Tito Committee are compelled to note with regret that there continues to he a want of unanimity and broadminded co-operation and interest throughout the District. Such a spirit is detrimental not only at show time itself, but to progress and advancement generally. When "t

hearty energetic and co-operative spirit is manifest among farmers as a body, and their outlook is not confined within their own boundary teucos, it will be found that farmers themselves will benefit, progress and improvement will be manifest, and the community will share in tho good results. Such a spirit is particularly essential on the West Coast.

We desire to repeal, what has in the past lean stated, and lias been main-

tained as the aim clearly before the Committee itself, viz.-—That the annual Show is not the chief and only object lor which the Association ex-i-is hut ii is firs’ and foremost the encouragement of and assistance to all and every matter which may benefit and help the community from a primary producers point of view. The executive earnestly invites every resident. settler and town dweller to loop not merely at tie narrow question ol the paying or otherwise of the annual subscription, hut to consider the Association as his own particular institution. which he desires to he a .success. and with which lie is proud to be assoeialed. They hope further that no one may hesitate to come lorv.arl either hv letter or personal statement.

with any matter which is eon -erinm himself, or v. 1:i■ Ti he considers of gen oral importance. Oulv when the exe

cutive of ibis Association becomes the body to which the farmers at once refer (heir problems of stock or farming and the results of their o’gerva 1 ions or experiments, will it have begun to function in its proper wviy. To strong;hen the bands of the Executive ('manic is essential. Despite the fact that we held no Show, subscriptions, with a number ol exceptions, came iy fairly well: and we have held our own m ibis respect, as will I e seen from il:e Finance Statement appended. It will be desirable, however, for the in-

coming Committee to devise some scheme or schemes by which funds may he increased, and our ground liability wiped off. The suggestion is offered of what is known as a “Stock Drive” which might be held early in the new year; or a District Art Union could be got off. as is being done by kindred Associations elsewhere. These are left for your consideration. hi conclusion the Committee thank all donors to the funds, members for their continued confidence, those intending exhibitors who bail patience while the question of holding a Show was in suspense, and last, but, not least the Press, both local and further afield, which has at all times so readil v aided us in. evorv wav.

On behalf of the Executive Committee .). M. DIMM ICK. President. Hokitika, llth September. 19^5.