MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Shannon News, 5 April 1928, Page 2

MINISTERIAL VISIT.

INSPECTION OF CENTRAL DEVEL-

OPMENT FARM. NO IMMEDIATE CHANGE OF STATUS CONTEMPLATED. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. O. J. Hawken, paid a visit of inspection to the Central Development Farm yesterday. Arriving .at half-past eleven by car, he'was accompanied by Mr W. H. Field, M.P., for Otaki, Mr F. S. Pope, Acting Director-General of Agriculture, Mr E. Phillips Turner, secretary of the Forestry Department, and Mr W. J. Shanly (private secretary). The party were joined at the Farm by Mr J. ’ Linklater, M.P. for Manawatu, and Mr J. F. Shepherd, Farm Manager. An interesting hour was spent in. inspecting the live stock, in which the Minister showed a keen interest. The herd of Friesian cows was first visited; then the party crossed the road to the paddock containing the Red Polls. Some Rycland sheep were seen on the way backhand afterwards a tour was mate of the extensive piggery, where the Berkshires 1 and Large Blacks are housed and yarded. After viewing the inside of the large and up-to-date cowshed, the party proceeded to the manager’s residence, where they had lunch. This afternoon they’left, for the Sandhills Plantation, near Tangimoana, where experiments are being carried out by the Forestry Department. Mr Hawken was questioned by the Chronicle representative as to the probable future of the Farm, as a recommendation was made last year by Dr. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture,, that, in view of the establishment of the Massey College at Palmerston, it should be cut up and disposed of for dairy farming. The Minister stated that no decision had been come to by the Government, as to the future of the farm, and in the meantime it would be carried on as at present.