SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1943, Page 2

SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM

POTATO PLANTERS HAVE BUSY DAY EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION “Saturday morning, November 27, 1943, broke dull with drizzly rain f<h- , ing. Masterton was agog with excite.*, ment and enthusiasm for Gala Day and hopes for an improvement in the weather ” states Mr R. W. Kebbell, chairman of the Wairarapa Primary Production Council. “Animated discussions were to be heard at street, corners and in places of business about the coming events of the day and the various competitors. Most’people appeared to be looking forward to an interesting afternoons entertainment. * “But while all these were going forward a small band of patriots, including College boys, one land girl, one other girl, several primary school boys and girls and two stalwart farmers imbued with the spirit of doing a useful job of essential war work, in response to an urgent appeal, had gathered at Te Orc Ore to plant potatoes. “All day this little band toiled diligently setting potatoes, despite bdek aches and other discomforts, to .keep the plough going to provide food that will be so much required later for the armed forces and others. “Up and down the field, hour after hour, moved the tractor and big plough, almost without ceasing, for the season was late and time precious. “As the roar of the tractor died do’vn at smoko time and the dusty but happy workers gathered for a brief respite and refreshments, occasional strains of gala music greeted their ears. “However, they were nothing daunted. Theirs was the quiet satisfaction of a job well done and by evening this little band had planted no less than five acres of potatoes —a very commendable and a very handsome con'tribution to the war effort.”