SOUTHLAND FARMERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 April 1937, Page 12

SOUTHLAND FARMERS

VISIT TO WEST COAST. Reciprocating the visit made to Southland last year by members oi the West Coast Branch of the Farmers’ Union, a party of eights Southland farmers and their wives and families arrived yesterday afternoon, on a tour of the West Coast. The itinerary for the tour was arranged by Mr 11. C. Langford, Railways Business Agent, Christchurch in co-operation with Mr R. Watkins, Railways Booking Agent, Invercargill, both of whom are accompanying the party. The official organiser of the party is Mr S. Kingston Invercargill, and the leader is Mr H. Smith, Waikaka Valley. The party was met at the Railway Station by Mr J. Mulcare (Secretary) and members of the West . Coast Farmers’ Union, and last evening the party was the guest of the Union at a social function in the Trotting Club pavilion, .when a civic welcome was extended. There was a large attendance of members of the Union and the public, the function proving most successful. Mr P. J. O’Regan, Inangahua, President of the West Coast Farmers’ Union, presided, and in extending a welcome to the visitors, referred to the fact that improved economic conditions had enabled the farmers to enjoy holidays which were not possible in past years. He hoped that the visitois would have a most enjoyable stay. The West Coasters cherished the "memory of the hospitable treatment accorded them in Southland last year, and they hoped to be able to return it, trusting that the visitors would enjoy the change from their better laid out farming community to the bush scenery, clear mountain streams and diversified forms of industry on the West Coast. The Mayor (Mr W. Meldrum), in extending a civic welcome, expressed" the hope that their visit would be pleasant and enjoyable, and that the fine weather would continue, to give them a true impression of the Autumn climate on the West Coast. The West Coasters, he said, were proud of the way nature had treated them in natural scenery, and he wished that the visitors would have every opportunity of seeing it. Messrs J. O’Brien, M.P., P. J. McLean (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce) and H. G. Carter (Grey County Council) also joined in extending a welcome and in wishing the visitors a pleasant tour. An apology for absence was received from the County Chairman (Mr J.

Ryall). In reply, Mr H. Smith, a Past President of the Southland Branch of the Farmers’ Union, thanked th© Mayor and citizens of Greymouth for the honour conferred upon the party in tendering them a civic welcome. He referred to the fact that Southland and the West Coast had a community of interest, in so far as both were formerly closely allied in the production of gold. Mr A. McKenzie, one of the oldest members of the Southland Farmers’ Union and a life member of the Dominion Union, Mr Sim, a Past President of the Southland Union, and Mrs O’Brien (on behalf of the ladies) also replied. A dance followed, music being sup-

plied by the Marina Orchestra, with Mr P. Coll as M.C. Items were given by Misses D. Donovan and M. Trott and Messrs J. Duffy and W. McGrath. A sit-down supper was provided by a ladies’ committee, convened' by Mrs H. G. Carter. Thanks to the artists, ladies’ committee and Trotting Club, for the provision of the pavilion, were extended by Mr O’Regan. PERSONNEL OF TARTY. The members of the party are: — Messrs A. McKenzie (Opahuti), J. R. Henderson (Mataura), G. W. Kerr (Bank Isla), Mr and Mrs G. P. Cross, Misses A. Cross, D. Cross (Knapdale), Messrs J; Gardyne (Waikaka), A. Findlay (Pukemoa), A. M. Turner (Mossburn), Mr and Mrs H. Smith (Waikuka Valley), Messrs W. J. Johnston (Aparima), J. T. Clearwater, II Brewster (Mataura), .Mr and Mrs W. J. Cowie (Winton), Mrs H. W. Bush, Mr T. D. Pearce, Mrs T. H. Brown (Invercargill), Mr D. A. Campbell (Winton), Messrs G. W. Cowan, G. D. Cowan (Oreti), G. Bagril (Seaward Downs), J. Quilter (Mataura), E, Halliday (Edendale), J. B. Arnott,W. H. Frame (Wyndham), J. Stewart (Pyramid), S. Black (Waikaka), J. Bruce, Miss A. Bruce (Pyramid), Messrs J. Barker (Oreti), R. J. Cowie (Winton), W. Cavanagh (Pukemaoa), C. S. Pankhurst (Guinness’s Bush), T. McKenzie (Wright’s Bush), W. T. Ayton (Oparuna), W. Matthews (Mokotua), R. Stewart (Oparuna), A. W. Moore (Waikoura), G. R. Willis, A. B. Hopcroft Guinness’s Bush), R. J. Stewart (Riverton), Mr and Mrs S. Kingston (Invercargill), Mr J. Ronald (Nightcaps), Mr and Mrs C. J. Church (Ohai), Mrs O’Brien (Haldane), Mrs N. Young (Glencoe)*, Mrs R. A. McKenzie, Mrs H. M. McKenzie (Otaperi), Miss Halliday (Kamahi), Mrs Hill, Mrs Nelson (Lorneville). Mrs J. McLean (Brownlees), Miss Thomas (Winton), Mrs Chamberlain (Qrawai), Mrs Fisken (Knapdale) Mrs Fitzgerald, Miss Johnston (Gore), Miss Pay (Invercargill), Miss Dunlop (Puoi Bush), Mrs Dunlop (Seaward Downs), Misses Curtis (Invercargill), Taylor, M. Drysdale (Edendale), M. J. Ayton, M. Ayton (Oparima). The party left this morning on a visit to Punakaiki and the Barrytown (Iredges. To-night will be “free” at Greymouth, and to-morrow the party will visit Lake .Brunner and Mitchell’s, half going to Te Kinga and half to Mitchell’s, crossing over the lake by the United Sawmilling Company’s launch and returning the opposite way. They will be the guests of the Rotomanu Branch of the Farmers’ Union and United Sawmilling Company. On Sunday there will be a railway excursion to Inangahua.