WEST COAST FARMING

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25935, 15 October 1949, Page 5

WEST COAST FARMING

Progress League’s Interest REQUEST FOR DAIRY UNIT Very keen interest was roused in the farming possibilities of the West Coast when two years ago a survey of West Coast farming made by Dr. M. M. Burns and Messrs R. H. Bevin and P. G. Stevens, of Lincoln College, was published. The Westland District Progress League, which asked for the survey, at once suggested to the college that a demonstration dairy farm should be established in Westland and run as part of the activities of the college. It was not possible at that time for the college to undertake the work, and the project was deferred tor two years.

The meeting of the board of governors of the college this week received from the league a further request that the college go on with the establishment of a dairy farm, and representatives of the college and the league are to meet .to discuss the proposition. “In July last year, a very large, representative and enthusiastic meeting of farming and local body interests from Inangahua to South Westland was held in Greymouth to consider proposals for West Coast land development, and increasing production in the district,” said the league’s letter. “At this meeting a committee of seven members was set up to draft proposals for submission to a further public meeting, and of the seven committeemen, four are active members of this league. Proposals were drafted by the committee after intense concentration on the subject, and eventually, at a further public meeting on September 24, the proposals were adopted. The committee is preparing its plans for submission to the various West Coast local bodies. We are making considerable headway in our area, and it is felt that the co-opera-tion of Lincoln College regarding the proposed dairy farm will prove of the greatest possible assistance to us in our other plans.” .Professor E. R. Hudson said that there was great scope for development of farming on the West Coast, and an active body was interested in the matter. The dairy farm would be a very desirable undertaking. “However, it means a new departure for the college, and an addition to our. activities,” he said. “The remoteness of the farm and the fact that we are losing, staff rather makes me hesitate to accept.” Mr M. E. Lyons: If we don’t do it. somebody else will. Mr C. T. Aschman, the chairman,

said that he was rather'•frightened that if the college moVed somebody else would step in. “That has happened in the past,” he said. Mr E. A. Sharpe: We should certainly make some investigations. The college should have some dis-

cussion with the people concerned qn the West Coast, said Mr Aschman> The college knew the scientific side of the proposal, but it would be necessary to find out what the West Coast people had in mind for the administration of the scheme. Mr C. G. Jarman said that some organisation such as that of the North Otago Progress League’s irrigation farm might be evolved, with the college acting in an advisory capacity. On the motion of Mr Lyons it was agreed to write to the league suggesting a meeting.