AGRICULTURAL WORK

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1927, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL WORK

Air Johnston reported for the month of Februarv-Alarch on the agricultural Hoik of the West Coast schools. The following schools have been visited: Ruin. Camerons, Paroa, JiicliLonnie, Runuuga, Nelson Creel;, Xgnlicre, Kokiri. Awatuim, Blackball, Roa, Moonlight, Totara Flat. Aliaura, Wallis Siding, ai;d Stillwater. The weather during the mouth has been excellent, and cleaning up work lias been extensively and successfully carried out. To save from the ravages of the blight the potato crops are being harvested. I lie crops so lar arc only average as lar as yield is concerned, but the quality generally is good. A fall report will be submitted later. About a dozen schools bad exhibits of potatoes at the Greymoutli Agricultural Show on the Kith and loth February. General exhibits from school gardens were also shown. Xgabero getting first place aiiul ( obtlcu second. Another interesting exhibit was that of grasses and fodder plants, suitably mounted and named. Ngnliere School again won the prizes with four excellent collections. Tile collections of Totara Flat and Camerons were very highly commended. The Judge, Air Jenkiu. of Canterbury, made special reference to the value ol such work, and spoke in high praise of the care and thoroughness with which the wort; bad been done by tbe pupils ot tbe various schools concerned.

At urgent request I visited the Ron am! Moonlight ,schools which are both xictMfed in the Blackball neighbourhood. 1 found that the teachers, pupils and committees were eager to carry oil

some agricultural and beautifying work, so 1 have supplied the two schools mentioned with a few tools. I feed .sure that my action will bo quite justified, and there will he practically no additional expense entailed. tn the school garden competition for the Ashby Pcrgli Shield tbe award Iris icon made as follows:—Xgahere first. ”33 points; Runanga second, ”24 mints ; G reymnuth third, 215 points: Rum and Parrytown fourth, 213 points.

Other schools that deserve mention but which have fallen short in one or more departments of the work are: Otira. AYatnron, Cobden. Camerons, Nelson Creek. Ruatupu. Aliaura. Ross, and Hokitika. To win the shield there must be not only a good garden plot, but also the note book and record work must bo well kept, the school surroundings must bo improved, and there must ho originality and resource shown in the work generally. Some of these important phases are overlooked by schools, and in consequence marks are lost.

THF. ROYAL TOUR

(by TELEGRAPH— PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUCHESS E.MIiA UK] NO. WELLINGTON, March 18. It is officially announced to-day that tlie Duchess of York will embark on the Renown late on Sunday night aiul proceed direct to Stewart Island, where the Duke will join the ship on the completion of the New Zealand tour. Owing to her recent illness it is desired that the embarkation of the Duchess at Wellington be quiet and private. The wharf will therefore bo closed to the public and Her Royal Highness will embark privately.