HOSPITAL BOARD’S FARM

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4890, 14 October 1925, Page 2

HOSPITAL BOARD’S FARM

REPORT ON MANAGEMENT. In collection with the Old People's, Home at Tararu, the Thames Hospital. Board has a small farm where cows, pigs, and poultry are kept, arid vegetables are grown, for use at both the hospital and homes. Recently the farmis were inspected by Mr J. L. Brace, agricultural adviser, Health Department, who reported to the board in September as follows :— “I inspected this property on August 21. The property, consisting of about 13 acres, Of which about 4 acres are occupied by-buildings, fowl-runs, etc. The live stock at present consists of 7 dairy cows, 6 of which are in milk, supplying about 17 gallons of milk daily ; 5 sows, one boar, and 10 or 12 store pings. “The first impression of entering this place is general neglect with' one exception, the flooring of the milking shed, which, although badly broken, was clean; otherwise the place to dirty in the extreme. Two men are employed, a manager and' a cow man. wi.th some assistance from two inmates, one providing the vegetables for the home. His. work is very creditable. The other initiate does general work .about the place. “I consider that this property—

which is evidently good ltmd and with a climate like Thames —should produce under good management, ample supplies and .milk, cream, and pork

for both institutions. At present four gallons Of milk have to be purchased daily for the hospital to. meet its minimum requirements, and cream, which 1 understand is badly required, is at no time available unless it to skimmed off the milk. “Pigs should be very profitable here. The piggeries are dilapidated, and the erection of new buildings at a moderate cost should be carried out on ,a more suitable site, the present sties • cleared, and the larid brought under cultivation. By doing sb pigs would efficiently deal with the couch infested area. “I am convinced .that with a capable working farm-hand with sound practical knowledge of dairying and the management of pigs, and an active man to assist, this property, although small, should produce full supplies of both milk and cream for the institutions all the year, round. By growing mangolds (for both cows and pigs) and with, the purchase of a little barley of peas for topping off pigs it ought to pay handsomely. I understand pedigree pigs are bred and registered, and have no hesitation in saying that the .activities of this place should be to produce pork and leave stud-breeding to .those who understand the mating and silliation of purebred, animals. “I wish to record my appreciation and thanks to Mr G. Tonge for having •so kindly put full information at my disposal, and also to Mr H. L. Berney.” The report was referred by the board to the superintendent of the homes for his comments. Replying to the board on M’onday Mr Gilmore stated that the inspection had been made during his absence. He did not consider that the allegations were justified, and classed the criticism as destructive. There Were cobwebs in the cowsheds, but it was hitting very hard to call the .shed dirty in the extreme. Mr Gil■niore pointed out that the inspector’s comments on the amount of work was inct correct. Cream was not available because all the milk produced was required, and he doubted if the nine acres could carry more cows. He •did not agree that the could be shifted to a more suitable place. Just sufficient pigs were Kept to dispose of the free feed from the hospital and homes, and no feed was bought.

The superintendent went on to criticise the report on four pages of foolscap. He claimed that credit Was not given where' it was due. The general appearance of .the place was ;not good, as many of .the hedges had lately been removed, leaving the dilapidated fehcee, which cenrtainly should be removed.