KAPONGA.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1922, Page 6

KAPONGA.

FARMERS’ 1 FIELD DAY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) March 22. A field day and cattle demonstration was Held at Newton King's, Ltd., saleyards to-day, under the auspices of the Kaponga branch of the Farmers’ Union. There was a large attendance, including, during the afternoon, the children from the Kaponga school, >vho took a keen interest in the demonstration. Mr. O. J. Hawken, M.P., was present, and spoke of the. educational ..value cf demonstrations such as that held that day. The farmers of the Dominion, he said, had much to learn from farmers at Home, especially as regards feeding and the conservation of hay. However, there was a big improvement in the industry here, and production had gone up 20 per cent, in the last two years. He regretted the slipshod methods of breeding in New Zealand, especially by too much crossing.

Speaking in a private capacity, Mr. Hawken. Hoped that the Government woulcl take steps to stabilise the finances of the country and introduce legislation to aid the farmers in their present difficulties. He believed the bank rate of interest would be lowered after March 31 . He hoped to see the railwsiy constructed* as far as Kapuni by next spring. He was gratified at the progress the district was making.

iir. Stanford demonstrated on a num - ber of animals in a most interesting manner, pointing out indications of type and breeding looked for in animals for a specific purpose. Considerable interest was aroused in judging competitions in various classes of cattle. Special notice was taken in some cattle submitted by Mr. Hooper, of Mahoe, a two-, year-old Jersey heifer being of a type that drew very favorable comment from the demonstrator. Mr. Scheuber and a number of other farmers also had good cattle in the yards. The prizes in connection with the cowjudging competition were won by Lois Schicker (first) and Vera Melville and Bertie Bartlett (equal, second). At the conclusion of the day, votes of thanks were accorded the demonstrator, the ladies, the Farmers’ Union, and to Messrs. Newton King, Ltd., for the use of their yards. MOTOR: CAR DESTROYED. •Induing from Press reports it would seem that motor caijs have lately developed the uncomfortable habit of catching fire in the discharge of their duties. The latest victim to this caprice was Mr. R. Campbell, of Auroa.-who on Tuesday evening had his machine — a six-cylinder Buick—totally destroyed on the (spunake-Eltham Road. Mr. Campbell had taken his car only a few days ago from a garage, where it had ■ been overhauled. So quickly did the ; flames spread that the occupants had , barely time to escape, one passenger not even having sufficient time to recover his overcoat. Mr. Campbell is doubly unfortunate in that the insurance policy on the car lapsed through inadvertence but a few days ago. MANGEL-GROWING COMPETITION. In connection with the school club mangel-growing competition, Mr. Gias- 1 son, of the Agricultural Department, paid a visit to ivaponga on Thursday, the 21st inst., and, in company with the local supervisors, Messrs. W. Hollard, Rev. Avery and G. A. Lyall, who. together with the competitors, inspected the different plots. It was found that they were well forward and in most cases in first-class order, giving evidence of careful and painstaking work on the part of the vouthful agriculturists. Before leaving the school Mr. Glasson gave an instructive and interesting address on mangel-growing tc the senior pupils of the school. a. ;