WEATHER HAS EFFECT ON RANGITAIKI

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 4, 6 October 1950, Page 5

WEATHER HAS EFFECT ON RANGITAIKI

A marked effect was made on dairy production on the Rangitaiki Plains last month by unusually dry weather.

The effect on pasture was becoming serious until rain, followed by warm weather last week, had a beneficial effect. If' the heavy rain of the last days, is followed by warmth it is expected that there will be further fast growth of feed. Figures taken out by the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Company Ltd. illustrate the effects of weather on butter-making. While, for the whole of the last quarter, more butter has been made than in the same period last year, there was a falling away during September’s dry spell. The first three days of October saw exactly the same amount of butter made as in those three days of 1949, illustrating the tendency to a return to normal as the result of

ram. The factory’s production figures

DOES WHAKATANE NEED.

A Nursery Centre?

That Whakatane needs a kindergarten or nursery centre has been suggested to us. On the face of it, the need certainly exists. There are three distinct types of pre-school centres —the kindergarten, the nursery play centre and the pre-school clinic. They are much the same but differences are sufficient to make the nursery play centre'' the most popular in towns of this type. Education Department asistance is available for any of them. ‘

The needs for a centre are fairly simple—a building with plenty of playing space and adequate sanitary installations, an outdoor playing area, toys, a sand pit and so om Each centre usually takes 30 children and, if there is more than one centre in a town, groups are formed. Whakatane’s first centre would probably be affiliated to the nearest group in another town. Children using a Centre must live within a specified distance of it or have transport available to and from it.

Trained staff is necessary and the Education Department undertakes training and payment. Mothers are asked to take turns in helping. Probably the one big difficulty in Whakatane would be to secure the regular use of a suitable hall. Church halls are considered most suitable.

The procedure for getting started is easy.. Interested women call a public meeting. If it is decided to form a Centre, a committee is elected. Parents are circularised to ascertain what children would be available and what parents would give regular help. Donations of money and sturdy toys are solicited and a hall is found. Then the Centre is opened on as many, days a week as demand warrants.

Apart from the direct value of nursery play Centres to shopping mothers, they are becoming an important part of the education system. The child who has had experience of one is happier, more confident and better trained than another when he begins school.

are:— 1949 1950 Tons Tons July 77 99 August 355 370 September 577 559 1009 1028 October 1 20 22 October 2 25 23 October 3 23 23 1 68 68