FARMERS' UNIONISTS ON TOUR.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLIV, Issue 60, 5 February 1918, Page 5

FARMERS' UNIONISTS ON TOUR.

BALCLUTHA MEMBEKS' TRAVELS. VISIT TO CENTRAL OTAGO. AN EDUCATIVE OUTING. BALCLUTHA—TAPANUI. Travel issaid to be the great educator, aiid if Clutha farmers who motored through to the Otago Central district last week-end could but remember half what they saw then they would be considerably more enlightened men than previously. The impressions they received of the country must have added appreciably to " their practical knowledge of the farming industry. Many tracts of laud that- had hitherto been known by name only were seen, and a more workable knowledge received of the various holdings. Messrs O. R. Throp (Te Houka), who. kindly placed his car at the disposal of the branch, had aboard Messrs J. C. Anderson (Stirling), V. A. Watt (Warepa), R. Houliston (Kakapuaka) and a representative of the Clutha Leader, Mr J. Christie (chairman of the branch) also made the trip, accompanied by several members of His family and Mr W. iS. Thomson (Warepa). TH'E INITIAL STAGES. The party left Balclutha about 8 a.m. on Saturday morning in the most perfect of motoring weather, Dry roads added' to the day's desirableness for making the tour, which was to take in a visit to the various plantations in the Tapanui district, a run to the Moa Flat Downs Estate ami • surrounding country, a flying visit to Eoxburgh and environments, and return via Beaumont and Lawrence. "Bang," a considerably loud bang, to be sure, was the signal for the firststop. The ungenerous might think an hotel had been reached, but the travellers were still in the "dry" area, and farmers' unionists are generally teetotallers. A puncture was responsible for the stop. Tools were unearthed and tyres removed, and later a pleased smile on the driver's countenance beck' oned the travellers to their seats and the journey was resumed with spirits., still a long way from the Zero level. Another half-mile was accomplished when a louder report rang out, betokening another "blow out." This time stronger words 'aided the carmen to remove the erring tyre and replace it with another. However, it .was all in the day's work, and a bad beginning is considered to presage a .good end. A PLEASANT RUN. No. more tyre trouble was experienced, and good time was made along the metalled roads to Waipahi. All the country en route showed a need for rain. Farmers looked skywards from the paddocks in the vain hope that a black cloud could be discerned even afar off, but needless to say tire! motorists prayed for no rain that day—they were not true fanners while motoring. Grain crops between Balclutha, Waipahi am! Tapanui were conspicuous by | their absence, but those that were seen appeared to bo of a good average yield. "THE DEVIL'S DELIGHT." Conical 'Hills Road, known universally as "The Devil's Delight" in the winter time, and very often when it is not the winter, did not present any difficulties to the travellers. In some parts the road has be.eu formed anew, and does not now present the difficulties that it did a few years ago. Nevertheless, it did not take a great stretch of imagination to picture the condition of the road should wet weather intervene. The Government's purchase of the Conical 'Hills Settlement did not elicit the most favourable comment from the visitors, but it was evident fhat the settlers who had decided to take up the laud had made good headway. TO TAPANUI. The land between Conical Hills and Tapanui was looking at its best. The crops are of a good average yield, and a good growth is apparent on all the laud iu "the vicinity. There was no reason to a.-k if the county councillor, responsible for the roads was a good ' fellow, because the road was good and he ' was judged accordingly. A fine stretch of straight road was a great temptation to test the speed of a motor car, but, of course, farmers do not travel hard. 'CONIUAL HILLS PLANTATION. The local Fanners' Union has done good work in arousing interest in the forestry question in New Zealand. It is a wen-known fact that the forests of the country are uearing depletion, and where the Dominion is to gather its timber from in the future is a question that will have to be answered. New Zealand has not yet felt the pinchshe has had an ample supply of national forestry —but in a few years' time''will stand badly iii need of timber. A scientific system of afforestation has been advocated by local farmers for the past three years, and on many occasions the farmers have shows, not a parochial interest, in the matter, but that, they have the future of the country at heart. At Conical Hills the Government has experimented within the : past 1- or 14 years with the growth of various species of timber which were j considered to 'be suitable for the rocky j nature of the land in that locality. The j plantation is under the personal charge J of Mr iR. G. Robertson, superintendent j for the South Island, a man who has practically demonstrated that he gives! studied care to his work. The planting on the Conical nills has to a large ] extent been done away with. For a reason unknown several of the specimens of trees planted on the bills de-! foliate at. the wrong time of the year, j One might fancy., that timber was now becoming of little importance in modern civilisation. But in actual fact, in spite of all appearances, wood is growing more ne.eessary and more valu'aWe with every advance in. industry

and science. As fast as it is displaced in one trade it becomes vitally essential in a new way. For'example, it is not extravagant to say that, the great coal and iron and steel industries arc erected upon a wooden foundation.* For every ton of coal taken out of a htine; a cubic foot of timber has to be put back in-the shape of supports for the 'wall* and ceilings of the galleries. It' is just the same in other trades, and wood becomes more costly instead of deteriorating in value, hence the wisdom of making provision for the future is a question of the moment. Our supplies become drawn from more and more remote sources, and it is time to start a system of forestry in the, country that will give an ample supply for our future needs. TAPANUI STATU NURSERY. That the Government does not regard afforestation as quite a dead letter is seen in the formation and upkeep of the State 'Nursery at Tapanui. There provision is made for experiments with the growth of different kinds of woods, and the work done made a good impression upon the visitors. It could hardly have been possible for more orderliness to have prevailed in the nursery, and a more economical basis could not be found for the running of the plantation. The growth of the tree from the mere stripling to the forest giant could ' be followed without leaving the grounds. A considerable number of plots-of young trees had been planted out recently, but innumerable plants are still to be seen. Unfortunately Mr Robertson was absent at the time of the unionists' visit, but the head clerk gave the visitors all information possible and proffered enlightenment on many points. Specimens of trees from all countries were gathered together in the office, and a pleasant hour was spent comparing the timbers. Throughout the nursery the propaga- ' lion of trees for commercial purposes is of primary importance, "but the growth, of the artistic and ornamental species of New Zealand grown shrubs has. not been neglected. Several magnificent avenues are set off, and these presented an unrivalled picture of beauty to the travellers. The whole atmosphere of the place spoke of peace and contentment, and it was hard to . leave. However, time pressed, and a long trip still lay ahead. Motors were cranked and a start made for fresh fields and pastures new. (To be continued next issue.) ml i, ' i. =r