YOUNG FARMERS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21533, 24 July 1935, Page 12

YOUNG FARMERS

EDUCATIONAL COURSE CONTINUED I _____ i i VISIT TO "THE PRESS" i OFFICE ' The young Canterbury farmers who are attending an educational course in Christchurch this week visited "The Press" office last evening. Accompanying the party was Mr A. C. Cameron, president of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, who is chairman of the course. An address was given by the editor, Mr P. H. N. Freet'h. on "The Making of a Newspaper." Mr Freeth distinguished the difterent departments of a city newspaper, the i editorial, managerial, advertising, and publishing departments, and described in detail the actual processes by which the newspaper is produced everv day. He paid particular attention to the various sources of news, from the overseas cable agencies and the Press Association in New Zealand to the reporting staff of the newspaper and its country correspondents. He mentioned that there was some confusion in the minds of many people about the proper functions of the different departments of a newspaper, so that the editor frequently received correspondence which belonged to the advertising or the business department. Mr Freeth emphasised particularly the systematic work by which news was gathered, saying that there was nothing haphazard in this activity of a newspaper. He said that a great "many of the events of which news was published were foreseen,cand that all possible sources of local news were systematically used. "The Press" in the Country After the address questions were asked by mer.ibers of the party. A vote of thanks to the staff and management of "The Press" was moved by Mr J. Buttle, of Darfield. who said that the visit was especially appreciated because "The Press" was regarded as the newspaper for the country. The visit was instructive and interesting to farmers, as most of those in the country districts were entirely dependent on the newspapers for a knowledge of current <;vents. In the morning the party attended lectures in the Little Theatre at Canterbury College. Professor J. 'Shelley spoke on "Drama," giving two short play readings. Dr. J. P. McQuilkin spoke on "Health." In the afternoon a visit was paid to the Woolston Tanneries. To-day there will be two further addresses in the morning, by Mr J. E. Strachan. principal of the Rangiora High School, on "What's Ahead of Farming?" and by Mr L. C. Webb on "Our Empire in a Changing World." This afternoon there will be a visit to Cashmere Hills, where Messrs G. .Jobbcrns. L. W. McCaskill. and G. H. Holford will speak on "The Geology. History, and Future of Canterbury."

VISIT TO WOQLSTON TANNERIES

Yesterday afternoon tin: party of young farmers visited the Woolston Tanneries, where they were received by Dr. Page 'work:; manager), and Mr Carton (sales manager). Mr Garton briefly addressed the lads and drew attention to the serious damage which occurred to hides, calf and sheep skins, through careless skinning, damage by barbed-wire, burnt-in-brands. and horn-marks. He illustrated his points by showing samoles of the damaged hides. He estimated that the damage through carelessness alone amounted to over £ W.OOfl annually. The party was then sol it. up to visit the works where they were ; lunvn the whole process of tanning. At the conclusion, Mr' David Ilalliday, Spriivston, moved a vote of thanks ott ~ehalf of llu: party, and the members of the tannery .staff were given three hearty cheers.

PAMPAS GRASS AS FODDER

The Whangarei Harbour Board last week received a letter from the chief chemist of the Department of Agriculture, Mr B. C. Aston, asking if the board would supply seedlings of pampas grass, which grow on the board's reclamation ground. The letter stated that many farmers throughout the Dominion had written asking for the information, and stating that the grass was in demand for fodder. The secretary to the board, Mr W. M. Fraser," reported that the seedlings were to be found in abundance on the board's reclamation areas, and he quoted a price at which they could be supplied. Members of the board expressed doubt as to the feeding value of this grass, which, they said, was readily eaten by horses but not by cattle. This was the experience of local farmers. The board decided to place the distribution of the seedlings in the hands of a seed merchant at the price quoted by the secretary.

Proposals to amalgamate the two Wanganui bands, the Garrison and the Queen's Own, have reached a deadlock, in that neither band desires that such a step should be taken. The matter was placed before the members of each band and they decided to oppose the suggestion. It is understood that the trustees will meet soon to decide whether any further steps should be taken.