THE SUCCESS OF THE KOKATAHI WINTER SHOW

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1926, Page 4

THE SUCCESS OF THE KOKATAHI WINTER SHOW

(Contributed.)

The Kokatahi-Koiterangi Winter , Show held at Kokatahi on the loth 1 and lGth inst. lias been proclaimed an undoubted success. The produce on display was of good size and quality. A very marked improvement was prominently noticeable in the uniformity of type of exhibits shown on display. The climatic* conditions of the Coast, prohibits certain types of farming pursuits to be followed, such as cereal growing for seed or grain, and the seeding of grass or clovers for sale. Therefore there were not any exhibits of seeds, but the type and size of the roots (exhibits (turnips apd carrots chiefly) clearly indicate what can be produced oil this Coast. Exhibits o£ swedes, turnips and carrots of good merit from Kokatahi-Koiterangi districts were on display, also similar < xhibits from the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club Root Growing Competition plots, and from the Field Coinpetition of crops conducted by the* West Coast A.P. and T. Association, all showing that crops equal to those in the local district can lie grown at K iimara, Camcrans, Totara flat, Ikamatna, ITukarm*, Waimaunga and Reefton districts. The Winter Show under review is the fifth annual show to lie held; and the produce on exhibit, has been ol good quality each time. The stranger visitor to those shows always expresses himself in pleased astonishment at ll*e picture of production which meets his eye when he has entered the show 1ml! *. and publicly and privately expresses himself freely as lo the excellent future prospects of the district. During the course of these annual shows, visitors have included farmers from Canterbury, scientific experts from the Agricultural Colleges of Canterbury, and also from the Government Department of Agriculture, all of whom have viewed the exhibits and pronounced themselves as being thoroughly satisfied with such, and each has freely given his advice and opinion for ilie maintenance of the improvement. There is no reason to doubt that the advice lias been treated lightly or not given a fair trial. Therefore, with tlu> excellent possibilities of improvement, to the district that has always been proclaimed as likely to icsiill from these winter shows and visits of practical farmers and agricultural experts, it was a surprise to many to hear Mr \V. Jeffries, Chairman of the Westland County Council, proclaim at the opening of the recent show, that some of" the farms in the district wore in a. disgraceful state and falling behind in their productive capacity. A visitor to the show would probably consider the remarks rot applicable, judging on the, efforts of the farmers as shown in the ball. A lour through the district will all too quickly convince one that the statement is only too correct, and disappointment is felt at seeing so continuous a state of undeveloped country and the lack of provision for stock during the winter months. In addition to Hie annual winter stmw which is undoubtedly doing good work, and great credit is due to those- who conduct same, the district Tins at oft tepeatod times received visits from practical farmers of Canterbury, and indeed it can be said I lull the district has bad the benefit of securing advice of practical farmers from all parts of the Dominion as well as the agricultural experts previously mentioned. The class of crops entered and displayid -at these shows, is proof that the district can produce first class winter fodder for stock, but the required necessary supply is not being grown. Good pastures would greatly curlaii the amount of supplementary winter food required, but from observations made during a tour, pastures are very backward. On sonic farms provision has been made but in the majority of cases no provision has been made. Without this necessary supply ef winter feed, be it either in the form of good rough pasture where Iho size of the holding will allow such, or a plentiful supply of hay, root crops, ensilage, or any of the in,any fodder

crips, no district can do justice to itself or progress satifactorily. Districts in the Southern and Northern pails are in a similar stale to Kokatatii mid Koiteinngi. anil not making the progressive headway Lo he expected. Fndoubtedly the Coast to hold its own in farm produce, butter-fat production, and fat stock raising, must make more rapid strides towards improvement. .Mr Jeffries remarks should he considered very fully ,and cot passed lightly over as they are only too true, and many other men with a lengthy knowledge of the Coast assort that Coast lands are deteriorating for want of proper .attention, and not producing anything like their limit.