FARMERS' TOUR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 198, 7 June 1929, Page 5

FARMERS' TOUR

TARANAKI VISITORS. TOUR OF ASHBURTON COUNTY VISIT TO MR NICOLL'S STUD, The party of about 170 Taranaki farmers who have been touring Southland and Otago during the last fortnight arrived from Timaru by special train at about 10.30 o'clock this morning, and were accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) and welcomed also by Mr H. C. B. Withell, on behalf of the County, in the absence of the chairman (Mr James Carr), who is with the Canterbury farmers now in the North Island. ,

On- behalf of the residents of the Borough the Mayor welcomed the visitors. These visits were looked forward to with a great deal of interest, and the Railway Department should be complimented on its assistance. In such tours friendships were made which would last a lifetime. Ashburton was.wrapped up in the prosperity of the County, and were ably assisted by the County Council. It was a pity the visitors' stay was to be so short. Mr Withell apologised for the absence of the chairman (Mr J. Carr). The rateable value of the County was £11,600,000, in round figures, and the County was the second largest in the South Island. He gave a resume of the features of interest of the County and wished the visitors a pleasant time during their stay in the County. Mr F. G. Evans (president of the Farmers' Union) announced the itinerary for the day. Mr E. J. Betts (president of the South Taranaki Farmers' Union) returned thanks for the warm welcome. Between 50 and' 60 motor-cars were waiting outside the station to transport the visitors, together with members of the Ashburton County Council and County residents, to Mr H. F. Nicoll's racing stables, "Durbar Lodge," a,t Wakanui, where an inspection of his racing stud and stables was made.

Mr A. J. Niccll apologised for the absence of his father. He jocularly remarked it w r as rather a worked-up hhing to bring the visitors to see the horses the day- before the Ashburton races. (Laughter.) It had been intended to give Wracklar his last tryout before to-morrow's event earlier this morning, but they had postponed the event so that the visitors migiit see him in action.

At this stage Wrackler enterecl the track for his final try-out. accompanied by two two-year-olds. After covering the course two or three times Wrackler went up the straight at" a meat pace, and was" loudly applauded by the spectators, who gladly showrad their appreciation of the" performance. Wrackler, said Mr Nicoil, had won both the New Zealand and Auckland Derby, and was recognised as perhaps the # 4>est three-year-old in the Dominion.

After watching the horses go round again, the party visited the stables, where Mr Nicoil *led out several yearlings sired by Wrack. Here again the visitors showed their delight at seeing at close \vew the stock in one of the largest trotting stables in New Zealand. The stallion Wrack was brought out, and was received with applause. As a trotting horse, said Mr Nicoil, Wrack had been bought from the race track in Chicago. It was nerfect to 6ee him on the track. He was a straight goer, and there was no waste* of action. Wrack w T as now 10 years old, and had been for about four years at the stud in New Zealand.

Continuing, Mr Nicoll said this was- * one of the biggest wotting studs in the Dominion, and they had endeav oured to. make it self-contained. All the leather used on the premises was obtained from the beasts on the estate and then sent to the tanneries. He produced samples of hide from a bull and heifer.' Situated on the grounds were a blacksmith's and a complete saddler's shop, where every piece of harness was made. With regard to the manufacture of head-stalls, Mr Nicoll said they could be. made there for between 2s and 3s each, whereasthe cost of purchasing usually was between 17s and 22s 6d. All the fodder was grown~on the place, and the hay and straw pressed. Actuallv between 8000 and 9000 bales of hay" had been pressed' this season. From an early age the horses were educate.;] at the barrier, and little trouble was experienced.

Mr E. K. Cameron (Provincial Secretary of the South Taranaki Farmers' Union), on behalf of the visitors, thanked Mr Nicoll for the opportunity to inspect his stock, which, he was sure, had been done at no little inconvenience to Mr Nicoll,- considering that it was the day prior to the trotting meeting. It had been an education to them all, and everything had been thorough and efficient. They had been well entertained on their tour, and the entertainments had been varied and instructive. This fact had been much appreciated, being something different from the ordinary experience. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Nicoll for his hospitality. The vote was carried by acclamation. Replying, Mr Nicoll said the majority of the horses had been turned out for the winter. At the end of January there were 131 horses on the place. In conversation with a '"Guardian" representative, Mr Cameron said he had been much impressed by the orderliness of the stud farm and the fact that it was selF-eontained. There was the appearance of neatness and efficiency that was not so - noticeable in racing studs. He also remarked on the fact that no outside horses were trained there, as was the case in many North Island stables.

A visit was then made to an adcent paddock on Mr H. F. Nicoll's property, \vher"e a demonstration of threshing lucerne by means of a tinmill was aiven.