GISBORNE VISIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22316, 29 April 1947, Page 4

GISBORNE VISIT

MR. CULLEN HERE FARMED AT NUHAKA AGRICULTURE MINISTER Although paying his first visit to Gisborne in his capacity of Minister of Agriculture, Mr E. L. Cullen, who arrived at Gisborne yesterday afternoon from Wairoa. is well acquainted with tiie Wairoa, Nuhaka and Gisborne districts. Until 15 years ago Mr Cullen lived and farmed at Tahaenui, Nuhaka, and was a frequent visitor to Gisborne to buy stock at the Matawhero saleyards. He regarded Wairoa and Gisborne as his home towns. He received his early education at the Nuhaka Native School. Interviewed this morning, Mr Cullen said he was making the acquaintance of farmers and farming organisations prior to the opening session of Parliament. He had toured the greater part of the South Island and was now travelling in the North Island. Wairoa Deputations He arrived at Wairoa late on Sunday afternoon and yesterday morning was met by deputations from the Wairoa branch of the Federated Farmers and

the Wairoa Dairy Company. Before leaving Nuhaka for Hawke’s Bay he had been a director of the Wairoa Dairy Company and his meeting with that deputation had enabled him to renew his association with the problems of the company. , , x , . Wairoa farmers had presented to him their difficulties in regard to supplies of superphosphate They asked fpr inquiries to be made into the possibility of storing super so that supplies would be available when recuired. The Minister was requested to give support to the urgent need _of a veterinarian in the Wairoa district. Mr Cullen had replied that the appointment of veterinary surgeons was now carried out by.the Veterinary Services Council, but he assured the deputation that he would co-operate with that council and advise it of the requirements of the district. The Wairoa Dairy Company's deputation also dealt with the question of the veterinarian and took up the matter of assistance for soldier settlement of dairyfarmers in their area. Members of the Wairoa County Council had met Mr Cullen to draw his attention to the flooding of the aerodrome and the need for drainage of the area. The council also required assistance in the matter of the formation and metallin? of minor roads within the county area.