TARARU HOMES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4809, 11 February 1925, Page 1

TARARU HOMES.

superintendents report. INCREASED PRODUCTION SOUGHT. The superintendent (Mr W. D. Gilmore)-, Tararu Homes, reported at Monday’s Hospital Board meeting that there were 20 male and three female inmates at the homes at the end of January. The conduct had been fairly good with the exception of two males, who were to be brought before the committee. Th? gardens were looking very well, and there was ample pasture for the block. The milk returns were on the decrease.

Two tablecloths and one dozen cups and saucers were required. The chairman (Mr W. E. H'ale) explaihde that owing to a mistake in the time arranged the committee had 110 report to make. Mr Danby asked if the maximum returns were being received from the land at the homes towards, the cost of reducing the administration of the main institution. He suggested that a committee should be formed to go into the matter and report on the advisability of more intensive cultivatino. with a view to increased production.

Mr Hall ./encurred, and said he was of the opinion that greater egg c.nd. milk returns should result. The revenue from the pigs had shown a considerable decrease.

The chairman said he was not satisfied with the conditions obtaining at the homes, and he was of the opinion that the property was not being worked on sound commercial lines. The stock placed there had ben of the best quality, but the milk returns- had been very disappointing. The area was 13 acres, and seven cows were run on the property. He thought the superintendent should be approached and asked to submit recommendations.

Mr Kennedy said he thought that if the land )Vas carrying seven cows in addition to five acres of garden the utmost was being got out of the area. He did not know how the jnilk yield could be increased.

The chairman stated that the returns from the cows were considerably below the .average.

Mr Kennedy pointed out that there were actually only about nine acres for dairying.

Mr Hall’s opinion was that the returns were surprisingly low in view of the amount expended on feed. He thought that the cows were not being milked out properly.

Mr Miller thought that a special committee to go into the matter would do no harm.

Mi' Kennedy said, it was strange that members of the board who were practical farmers were satisfied with the returns.

The chairman said that as a farmer he was far from satisfied.

Mr Danby mentioned that he had brought the matter up because lie thought greater production should result, but he didn ot pretend to be a practical farmer. After further discussion it was resolved that a committee of country members of the board be set up to confer with the superintendent on matters affecting production at the homes with a view to reducing the administrative expenses in the main institution, the committee to comprise the chairman, and Messrs Kennedy, Robinson, Hall, Berney, and Danby.