PUBLIC LECTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1930, Page 6

PUBLIC LECTURE

BY PROFESSOR EASTERFIELD

There was a fair attendance at the County Chambers last evening for tbe lecture announced at short notice by Professor Easterfield, director of tlie Cawthron Institute, of Nelson. Dr Teiclielmann, President of the Progress League presided and introduced the lecturer. Among those present was Hon H. L. Michel, M.L.C., several members of the League, and a number of leading citizens. Professor Easterfield stated lie bad been asked to give a talk on the Cawtbron Institute, and make some reference to the treatment of pakahi lands in the Duller district. He began by briefly outlining tlie many generous benefactions of Air Thomas Cawthron to Nelson and district. Cawthron arrived in Nelson as a youth of 17, with only 15s in his pocket. He, began as a labourer, but- was a careful young man and thrifty and steadily made mobey. When. he readied 60 years of age he had the impulse to do something for the town and province which, had been his borne for so long, and so began a series of very valuable gifts. Despite all that lie gave in bis life time be died worth £240,000 and this money was devoted to the Cawthron Institute. It took some time to establish tbe institution. There were legal delays respecting tbe will, but eventually matters were in train, and Professor Easterfield had the honor of being placed in charge of the scheme of operations which had been outlined by a commission. for the work of tbe Institute. Professor Easterfield then went on to refer in very interesting detail to a great deal of tbe work of the staff in and about Nelson. He mentioned what had been done in respect to applegrowing on tlie A 1 on tore lulls. This enterprise was in danger of collapse when a valued member of the Institute staff carried out a soil survey of the location, and his advice and direction in tlie way of fertilisation, saved tl proposition, and gave a greatly increased yield of fruit. Something similar happened with regard to the raspberry. The advice of the experts led to the production of this small fruit exceeding the local demand, and it became possible to export the pulp. In much the same way where trees are attacked by insects the entomologists of tlie Institute were able to deal with successfully with the pests, and much valuable work bad been done. Tlie Professor gave very interesting detai 1 on the handling of the insects, and the discovery of the right parasite to extinguish the damaging insect, and of the care taken on all sides to see that tbe insects were not liberated. Toe address was extended considerably under this heading and the inferiratvafforded gave some inkling of tbe patience exercised by tbe staff in their scientific study of the problems they had to deni with.

Passing to the pakalii lands, the Professor gave a very interesting outline of the treatment attempted and ultimately adopted when the necessary measure of .success was achieved. Tim land hereabouts which he had seen at Flowery Creek and Kokatahi were not the same as at and near Westport,. There the most effective treatment was to burn off the overgrowth in suitable weather, then lime the land and ad - ’ phosphates. After harrowing the seed was sown and the crop realised was a good one. deferring to fertilising Professor Fasterfield remarked that in the North Island, particularly in Taranaki and Waikato where the dairy yield was so high, the application of fertilisers was carried out regularlv. and in some instances twice and three times a year. The holders fo"nd it profitable to do so. and it was the same with the poorer lands, it certainly paid to fertilise regularly. At the close of the address some Questions welre asked in respect to different pests, including the borer in New Zealand timbers, grass grub, potato blight, and turnip fly.

On the motion of Mr Evans, seconded hy Sir Butler ,a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Professor Ea.sterlield for Ins very interesting address, and a verv entertaining evening closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.