A Progressive Spirit

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30580, 24 October 1964, Page 8

A Progressive Spirit

ALTHOUGH he farmed outside the boundaries of Canterbury, Mr A. C. Hurst, of Willow Park, Papakaio, North Otago, who died last week at the age of 81 years, was well known to farmers outside his immediate district for his progressive views on farming matters, which he did not hesitate to express publicly in his own forceful manner. A little like Winston Churchill in appearance, Mr Hurst was certainly in the van of farming thought of his time, if not slightly ahead of it. Irrigation was one of his particular interests and in earlier days he travelled round quite extensively to promote its cause. One of the pioneers of irrigation in his district, he started irrigating 48 years ago. As chairman of the primary production council of the North Otago Progress League he was a prime mover in the establishment of the Steward settlement irrigation farm operated under the auspices ' of the league. His interest in grassland I farming extended to the i activities of the New Zealand ! Grassland Association, and ( he was a regular attendee of its annual conferences. A few years ago the association recognised his work by electing him an honorary life member, placing him in the select company of men like Sir Bruce Levy. He was an advocate of low seeding rates for pastures and a champion of lucerne which he first grew in 1914.

For many years Mr Hurst served on the committee which organises the Lincoln farmers’ conference and was frequently heard during deliberations of the conference. He was also an executive member of the old Farmers’ Union and maintained an in-

terest in its modern counterpart. He also held office in the Papakaio Ploughing Match Association.

While a colourful figure and outspoken advocate of progressive ideas off his property, he was also an extremely competent farmer at home. Those who knew him well can recall many examples of unusual but very effective techniques that he employed on his farm. Thus as an enthusiast for short rotation ryegrass one winter he successfully wintered his bullocks on short rotation straw, believing that the straw like the grass must be good. He also had original methods of handling his ewe flock. And he did not overlook the aesthetic side of farming. Trees on his property and a showpiece

garden setting off a stately homestead bore testimony to this. His sound advice was freely made available to many. Mr Hurst was born at Waimate and began farming in 1907 when he drew a section on the Corriedale estate in North Otago, which is famous for its associations with the founding of the Cbrriedale breed of sheep. He farmed there until he bought Willow Park in 1928. His sons are prominent farmers—Messrs A. W. Hurst (Ikiwai), S. M. Hurst (Windsor) who is president of North Otago Federated Farmers and G. C. Hurst (Papakaio) who is secretary of the Papakaio Ploughing Match Association and connected with national ploughing match administration.