AGRICULTURAL MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1922, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL MATTERS.

THE TARANAKI SOCIETY GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING. The general committee of the Taranaki Agricultural Society met at New Plymouth yesterday. Present: Messrs. W- Bi Grant (in the chair), A. E. Washer, H. C- Sampson, W. Hall, F. W. Cornwall, A. Turnbull, A. J. Luxton, C. Dobson, J. Allen, W. K- Morris, A. T. Moore, H. Olsen, F. Dodunski, A. Guddop, A R. Davis, S. Vickers, and JHamilton. A letter was received from Mr. H. J. M. Thomson, solicitor, of Inglewood, advising that by the will of the late Mr. W. J. Davis, formerly a farmer, of Inglewood, a bequest estimated to produce about £1450 had been left to the i society.—The chairman’s action in placI ing the matter in the hands of the soI ciety’s solicitors was confirmed. i Mr. W. Rumball forwarded his rei signation from the various committees, •as he was leaving the district. The re- ; signation was accepted with regret and I the secretary was instructed to write j to Mr. Rumball expressing the society’s . regret. Members spoke appreciatively of Mr. Rumball’s work on the committees. Mr. Barrett Honeyfield’s resignation was also accepted with regret and a letter of appreciation of the valuable work done for the society by Mr. and Mrs. Honeyfield and their son will be forwarded. The New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association, advised that the association was prepared to pay the society a subsidy of 10s in the £ for every £ up to £25 donated by the local JerseyCattle Club to the society. It was also pointed out that this was the only allocation of prize money to the show and that previous donations to various classes were now withdrawn-—The association's subsidy was acknowledged with thanks, and the letter will be forwarded to the New Plymouth Jersey Cattle Club for their information. It was resolved that all applications for space at shows should be in writing and that no application be considered ' unless in writing. A letter will be forwarded to Mrs. J. Knight (Tataraimaka) thanking her and ' the ladies associated with her for raising the sum of £l3 2s 3d by means of a . social function to provide funds with ‘ which to purchase glass coverings for 1 I the home industries section.

The chairman was deputed to interview several donors who had offered to donate gift stock to the society, and to make satisfactory arrangements. The chairman intimated that Mr. L. B. Webster had offered to donate 2 lb of seven varieties of potatoes to seven schools around New Plymouth for the purpose of inaugurating a potato-growing competition, to be conducted under the auspices of the society. Mr. Webster also offered to give instructions to the children from time to time 'during the season. It was intimated that Mr. L. A. Nolan had offered to donate the requisite manure- A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. Webster and Nolan, and a sub-committee consisting of the chairman and Mr. Washer, was set up to confer with the donors and Mr. R. Syme to arrange details,-the society expressing its approval of the scheme for a schools’ potato-growing competition. It was resolved to provide a challenge shield for the competition.

The chairman mentioned that Dr. Reakes (Direct or-General of Agriculture) would be in the district in about a fortnight’s time to distribute the prizes won in the boys’ and girls’ club competitions. It was suggested that DrReakes might be asked to give an address to farmers during his visit. This suggestion was adopted and the direc-tor-general will be asked to take “Agricultural Education” or any other question as the subject for his address. The president, vice-presidents and Mr. Washer were appointed to make arrangements for the address. Dr. Reakes visit will take place either next Friday or the following Friday-

The question as to what was the most suitable carrot for use in the boys’ and girls’ clubs was discussed at length, various varieties being advanced by members, the merits of Sinclair’s Champion. Matchless. White and Homes’ improved being principally discussed. The value of teaching children to select and grow their own seed was pointed out. No final decision was made and the suggestion was put forward that Dr. Reakes’ opinion on the question should be obtained.