YOUNG FARMERS AT WAIMATE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 8

YOUNG FARMERS AT WAIMATE

THREE ACTIVE CLUBS IN DISTRICT

FOUR FIELD DAYS ARRANGED NEXT YEAR

Otago was- the first province to have young farmers’ clubs, to encourage ambition and progress. From there the idea spread next to Canterbury, when the Waihaorunga Young Farmers’ Club, in the Waimate district, was the first to be formed outside Otago and Southland. Since then the energetic efforts of Mr S. D. Blomfield, now national secretary of the Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, have carried the movement all over New Zealand. There are now three active clubs in the Waimate district, at Waihaorunga, Hunter, and Morven, all of which were formed early in 1934. since when their popularity and membership have grown beyond all expectations. They have successfully pursued ambitious programmes of lectures, debates, and held days; their interest has not been confined to purely farming topics, as their lectures and debates have covered a wide range of topics, including world affairs and Dominion political economy. A central executive committee of the three clubs has decided to hold four field days; next year. A horse judging competition, which will count for both the J .W. Armstrong Cup and the Neil Hansen Cup, will be held on the property of Mr Andrew Grant (“Allandale,” Fairlie) in May, and a sheep judging competition for the Alan Grant Cup will be held later at Mr Alan Grant’s fann. Arrangements for a local horse field day and another sheep field day will be made later. Arrangements for the sheep judging competition to be held by the Waimate Young Farmers’ Clubs at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s show next Tuesday, are well under way. The sheep, lent by Mr George Deem, have been selected by Mr Alan Grant, with the assistance of Messrs J. Mackenzie and H. Morland. Mr Grant will judge the competition, and Mr Morland will be marshal. The prize money has been given by the association and Mr A. J. Hoskins. The competition will take place at the Show Grounds, where the association has undertaken to find pens for the sheep. • GERALDINE

ARMISTICE DAY OBSERVANCE

GATHERING AT WAR MEMORIAL

Armistice Day was observed at Geraldine with the usual two-minute silence, following the tolling of the church bells.

Quite a number of residents gathered at the War Memorial, including the Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald) and members of the Geraldine Borough Council, Mr A. A. Readdie (Geraldine County Council), and Mr W. McClure, president of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association. “Last Post” was sounded by Mr C. Ashby. SHOWER ERECTED AT MOTOR CAMP IMPROVEMENTS AT GERALDINE Among the improvements at the Geraldine motor camp this season is a shower bath room which has been erected by the motor camp committee. The camp has been cleaned up and is now in readiness for visitors. VICTORIA LODGE MEETING A meeting of the Victoria Lodge at Geraldine was held, with Bro. W. Gaby, N.G. presiding. Bro. Humphris reported that the Labour Day picnic had been a great success.

Three candidates were proposed for membership and two were successfully balloted for.

Degree Master Bro. H. E. Evans conferred degrees on five members. It was decided to make a grant to the Geraldine Health Stamp Committee.

FARM COURSE PUPILS VISIT ROYAL SHOW

A, parly of students taking the farm course at the secondary department of the Geraldine District High School motored to Christchurch yesterday to visit the Royal Show. They were under the charge of their agricultural instructor, Mr E. N. J. Hannah.