STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 May 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent). : [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, vill i receive prompt attention.] i MODEL DAIRY FARM. j Stratford, Mav 10. j The President (Mr. E. Jackson) pr?sided at the meeting called to consider tin- establishment of :i dairy farm. The attendance of farmers was decidedly good, including those dairying in Midhirst, Ngacrc, Mangatoki,' etc., besides several .Stratford business peopls, The president said that four years ago the idea was first mooted. They felt that the time had arrived when the Association should take a lead in showing the farmers the. interest they took in them. They were well aware that the pastures required renewing, and the executive felt that if they established a farm they would be able by practical methods to demonstrate the work of building up pastures. The reviving!of the productivity of the fields Iwould have a big effect. They then got to work, and set up a committee to go ! into ways and means of financing. A scheme of .-CiiOO was devised, and this would stock the land and meet other requirements. A deputation consisting of the president and Messrs J. B. Richards and W. H. Were waited on the Minister (Hon. J. D. Mac Donald) and the scheme met with his entire approval. The Minister said that if they could raise the money locally the Government. would grant a- subsidy. The chairman : thought they might get the money ■, through the dairy companies, .and then | decided that if they got the money through local guarantors it would be . more expeditious. (For the benefit of ! those present Mr. Richards then road the I report dealing with the question.) | Continuing., the president said that j now they possessed the land they de- ' eided to go in for 25 cows, and by judicious culling, careful selection, breeding, etc., hoped to show it was possible to bring the butter-fat yield from 2001b to 40Olb. That would'be something useful, and justify the Association's working. Thev intended to hand over a portion of the grounds to the Education Board for their lads, and these would have the benefit of their agricultural instructors. In the past j the boys had always opportunities of learning the routine of a trade, but not so in farm work. They now intended to rempve this and take the boyß in hand, so that on leaving school they would possess the knowledge that had been denied the boys of the past. This would be of tremendous assistance to the parents. Regarding the management, the Government would appoint a chairman < and also a manager. Tho Association I would require to employ two men to at- I tend to the work, and would also have ; to engage a secretary to keep records | of tho milk yield!, etc. This should j afford a splendid opportunity to the farmers. Mr. Brown, the agricultural in- j struetor ; . would demonstrate how to j make two blades of grass grow where I now one grew. Out east, if they could ; devise some means of fertilisers to push j on the growtli of the pasture it would j make a big difference in the value of the i land there. I

Mr. Kichardß said the object of estab- > lishing tlie model dairy farm was to j demonstrate to farmers the value of in- \ creased production. If they could in- ' urease the butter-fat by 5 per cent, it i meant an. increased revenue, at Is per ' lb, of £IO,OOO. Five factories in the ' district were receiving 4,000,0001b, and j with '") per cent, increase it meant a big thing. Experimental farms had been tun in other plates. One great trouble was that in connection with Government farniß those who managed them i were theoretical experts. Moumnliaki ' farm provided much information that would be of value to farmers here; but the distance was too great, and farmers could not afford the time and trouble to go there. If the local Association had the whole of the province to choose from they could not have selected a better site. They were right in the middle of the dairy district, up alongside the railway station, town, etc. The management of the farm was in their hands. If they did not like the means | or methods they could change ihem. Xot , so the Government farms. It might be said that they were not theoretical far- j iners, but they should be able to leavu something from the work. With the assistance of the guarantors they had i secured the land, and the Government would pay a subsidy of £3OO per annum I for five years. The matter now lay in I their own hands. Mr. R. A. S. Browne, agricultural instructor, briefly added that undoubtedly a .big future ahead for farmers, but they had a long way to go yet in ascertaining the various qualities of the soil j and the treatment it required. Their department would be under the control* of the Education Board. There was' plenty of work ahead, but it would be ' accomplished, and the experience gained should prove of great value to the far- j mers.

Mr. Budge said tiie rules were of n, most ronjprehi'iis'ive |ii;itftre t and lie would suggest tlir.t they elect a committee to go thoroughly into the rules and be empowered to aitcr or amend as they thought fit. 'He-would suggest that the following gentlemen he appointed: Messrs E. Jackson. S. Pitt, R. Winkle, fl. Gangster, K. Mnrfell, R. Masters, '\V. H. Were, R. IfeK. Horison, and \. YV. Budge. Mr. Richards reminded the meeting that they had a certain contract to complete, and did not wish to' see matters delayed. Mr. Dingle had treated them very considerately, and the work should not be hung up longer than necessary.

Mr. -S. Pitt said that on looking over the, rules he noticed that one of the clauses in Rule .10 would bring them Into'conflict with tho Farmers' Union, and lie suggested it should he deleted. Mr. Richards, in reply to a question /aised by Mr. Masters,'stated that the chairman of the committee w<-.r"' bo appointed toy the flovernment. The Minister was very explicit in making that clear, and it was one of the conditions on which the £3OO subsidy was granted. Mr. R. Masters said they must not lose sight of the fact that they might adopt the rules and find them rejected by the registrar. Mr. Pitt said an active canvass should be made and every means ta.ken to push on the membership. It 'was resolved that a meeting be held in the Council Chambers on' June It. The president, in closing the meeting, referred to the enthusiasm shown that afternoon. It augured well for the future. He was quite certain that as the years went by they would find the institution of the model dairy farm one of the best .works accomplished by the A. and P. Association. Quito a number handed in their names (and cash) as members of the Model Dairy Farm Association. A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. The president (Mr. E. Jackson) presided over the general committee meeting of the A. and P. Association held this afternoon. The executive committee's report stated tiiat several matters affecting the welfare of the Association had been attended to, and the grounds were now In splendid order. Mr. Boon had the work in connection -with tho people's stand well in hand and it would be Accomplished before the annual meeting. Members of the Association are to bo invited to visit and inspect the alterations and-,improvoments to the building, and make a general inspection of the property. They recommended that a conference of Taranaki Associations be held in Stratford at an early date to consider remits and other matters of adVantage to the Associations in this province. Regret was expressed at losing Messrs Cato arfd Spillman through removal from Stratford.

The president moved that the report bo received. After touching on the ground work ho came to the membership question. This required building up, and he thought that the winter months, when they had plenty of time, was the time to increase the membership. He would suggest to the incoming committee at the annua! meeting that they make a big eiTort in this direction. They would need to use every endeavor to keep the show going, tie had every reason to believe that the dairy factories in their neighborhood would giant the usual donation when appealed to. A much better way would be to get each supplier to a dairy company to contribute 3s. If they did this they would he in funds and could do away with appealing to factories and save a considerable amount of time. The president (Mr. E. .Jackson):, treasurer (;\lr. K. Masters), and secretary (Mr. A. D. Stanley) were empowered to sign mortgage and affix the seal of the Association thereto. The Hav.ke's liny Association wrote stating that after receiving replies from various Associations they had decided to go on with the summer' show as usual. The president reminded member.; that the annual meeting would be held next Saturday. Owing to the secretary's illness during the past month work had been unavoidably delayed, but he hoped to have everything in readiness for the annual meeting. STANLEY ROAD SOCIAL. Jfow that the long nights have arrived, farmers, with their wives and families, are finding the socials a splendid means of passing dull care and enjoying a few hours' pleasure. On Friday evening occasion was taken of the opportunity to farewell dinner Arthur Sangster at the Stanley Road school. Accommodation was limited, but "the more the merrier" seemed to be the Bpirit of the evening, although naturally all regretted that the necessity p:;isted to still send away men for the expeditionary force. Mr. B. Wellington was spokesman, and in a few wellchosen remarks piesented Runner SangBter with a pair of French binoculars. The recipient suitably acknowledged the gift and the good wishes expressed. The first part of tho evening comprised vocal and instrumental items. Mr. C.

T. Walters, over a favorite on tlic concert platform, was heard to groat advantage in the. solo "(io to Sea," whilst Air. B. J. Peters was equally good in the famous Scotch 'ballad, "Annie Laurie." Airs. C. Carter was in fine voice, and made tho rafters ring in tho-eoon melody ''The. Bing Boys are Here." Hiss D. Ndwards was also greatly appreciated In her item, "[ Know "a Lovely Harden?" whilst the duet l>y Miss 1)., Phillips and Air. (!. Sanne, ''Life's Dream is O'er," met with popular approval. Mr. Tom Wilson, who appears to have left the trombone slide for the comic ditty, was also in groat demand, whilst the'funniosities of Messrs fl. Bradley and Alan Betts added variety and moirimcnt to the programme. Xor was this all. Mr. Fred Foley made the journey and, accompanied by his friend "Toby," brought oil' some vcntriloquial gags that event nil hearty laughter. "Fred" also demonstrated that his fingers had not lost their suppleness, and performed some sleight-of-hand work that created wonderment and applause. Last, but by no means least, was a little sketch' on '"'Millinery,'' produced by Atesdamos P. Wellington and C. W. Phillips, Misses 1!. I'hillips, S. Shaw, and R. Wellington, and Messrs Wellington and Phillips. A dance followed, music being supplied by Afr. J. Edmonson, whilst Air. B. Richmonds proved a most efficient M.C. Extras were contributed by Mrs. IT. Douglas, Aliss R. Anderson, and Air. K. Impett. GOLF.

The Stratford fioif Club opened play on Thursday. The day was an idea! one for the sport, which attracted a fair number of players. The prizes .presented by the president, Mr. Abraham, were won by Mrs. C. W. 'Howard and .1. R. Stanford. The result of the mixed foursome was as follows: —Mrs. C. W. Howard and J. R. "Stanford, ser., !>1; Miss M.' Paget and IT, D. Hill. 7-08-G1: Mrs. 10. S. Rutherford and H. V. Uniacke, 4-OS-n.!l; Mrs. J. B. Richards and E, S. Rutherford, O-04-.vR: Miss T. Spcnee and ». J. Malone, 10-74-04; Miss G. 0. Edwards and W. .P. Pratt, 12-83-73. Those on the look-out for jewellery of the highest, hall-mark should make a point of inspecting the very fine and varied stock now offering by Mr. C. C. James. If you are in search of wedding end birthday gifts lose, .vj time in visiting this shop, where you will secure your requirements at a price that will compare with lowest city figures.