CANTERBURY FARMERS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1927, Page 1

CANTERBURY FARMERS

VISIT TO WESTLAND. T he visiting fanners front Canterbury visited Lake Kanieri yesterday afternoon and alter a short stay made their way back to Kanieri, visiting the Kimu dredge on the way to Hokitika, arriving back after 5 p.m. They expressed themselves as highly delighted with their experience.

Yesterday afternoon a number of the visiting Canterbury farmers who did not make the trip to Lake Kanieri paid a visit to the Kanieri Hokitika Sawmill Coy’s Sawmill on Kanieri road. They were shown the mill in working operations and took great interest in the proceedings. in the evening the Town Hall was taxed to its utmost capacity when Dr E. Teichelmann gave his lecture and lantern slides on the beauties of South Westland. The large audience were enraptured and there was a continuous round of applause, every opportunity being taken to mark their pleasure and appreciation and at the conclusion there was a very happy reception given the lecturer.

An adjournment was then made to the Soldiers’ lltilJ where the overflow had already assembled anil this buii’ding was soon filled to the doors. Supper catered for by Mrs Preston, was handed round to the large assemblage present, and Mr H. T. Parry (President of the Westland A and R. Association) who had charge of the arrangements, introduced the County Chairman (Alt J. A. Murdoch), having first apologised for the absence of the Mayor (.Mr Perry), owing to indisposition. Mr A. Murdoch, in a very happy speech, expressed his pleasure on behalf of the Westland County Council and Its inhabitants in extending a very hearty welcome from their friends from Canterbury and in doing so said that from IBfis to 18(18 Westland was a part of Canterbury. He was glad that these interchange of visits were possible, as nothing but good could result from them, as they meant the widening of the information of the people. He was glad to have the personal touch with them for they were proud of their farmers. lie was gi’ad to hear that they had been pleased with their visit and hoped they bad seen sullieient to tempt them to come back soon when they would be aide to travel to South Westland and see the glory of tlie lakes and the great glaciers. He again expressed the hope that they had enjoyed themselves. They bad done thenbest to make (lie visit enjoyable (loud applause) and hoped the present visit would only be the fore-runner of many happy reunions in the future.

-Mr T. O’Neil (Vice-President of the Farmers’ Union) apologised for the absence of Air Afidcui-e (President). tie was glad to welcome the fanners ol Canterbury to Westland. Their visit would be a great stimulant to the Fanners’ Union of the West Coast. It should help in their unity which was very ninth needed. Every -farmer should join in (he movement. The visit had been valuable for the interchange of ideas ami they were going to prove useful. The way the farmers of Canterbury worked their land was altogether different to Westland. Jte thanked them for coming to the district and trusted their vist would be a pleasant one.

Air IE C. IJ. AVithell (President ol the A!id-Cnnlerbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union) said they were all very glad they had come. They had among them men who had been to school at Hokitika. lie wished to thank the people of the district foilin' spi’endid way in which they had entertained them. He had been very pleased with the district and had no idea it was as good as it had proved to he. They were all delighted with their visit and (piite satisfied with what they had seen. They had been astonished with Air Diedriehs’ beautiful Hereford cattle, the lake and the dredge. Westland had a place with them, fur it was here that the wonderman, R. J. Seddon. first came. They had Ashburton's first baby with them (and a sturdy (ifi-yenr-old one, Air Turton took his place on the pi'atl'orni to bo received with hearty cheers), lie thanked them one and all for their splendid hospitarily. which had made their visit thoroughly enjoyable. Air James Carr said he had been very much ini pressed with the great possibilities of the district for dairying. He was chairman of a co-operative dairy factory and so should know something of what he was talking about. He had been surprised that morning to see the fine factory in their midst, so well set up and designed and arranged for any necessary extension of Die plant. There was one thing that was necessary in this district and that was they should get together for testing their cows. Tlu-y woui'd have no success till that was done. Air l’. Frampton (President ol the A. and R. Association) said they had had a great day in what would he a great dairying country. He ventured to say that in fifty years time the West Coast would he the greatest grazing country in Now Zealand. He joined with the other speakers in expressing his sincere thanks for their generous hospitality. He extended invitation to those present to go to the Xocvinber show at Ashburton where they would see a fine display of pure bred stock. Afr Pawson (Railway Agent) also spoke, mainly on arrangements for Die next day. Hearty cheers for the Most (oast hospitality, for Afessrs .Murdoch. Parry. O’Neill, and other workers were given in the heartiest manner and the gathering concluded. There was a very enthusiastic sendoff at the railway station this morning at 8 o’clock when the visitors left by special. Cheer after cheer was heartily ,rjven as the train moved out of the station.