DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 14 February 1940, Page 9

DOMINION NEWS

CANTERBURY HARVEST CHRISTCHURCH, February 12. The increased use of header harvesters, in handling the’ Canterburywheat crop this season, has deprived many men of their usual seasonal occupation. More than 500 headers ploughed through the rich wheatlands of the province and brought in this season’s harvest in what must be record time. , The unbroken spell of fine weather meant that the harvest was virtually over in a month from start to finish. Men who normally visit Canteiburj at this season to find employment on threshing mills and on farms have been disappointed. A big contingent came from the North Island and others from the South. They found little work, for a farmer and his son can operate a header, which does the work of cutting, threshing and bagging in one operation. . ' Based on the official estimate of 33 I bushels to the acre, New Zealand’s : wheat harvest, this season, may yield | nearly 9,000,000 bushels, enough to I meet domestic requirements for a I year. A great .increase in area has made this possible, for last season’s I crop yielded only 5,564,136 bushels, ; with, an average of 29.4 to the acre. I According to the Government Statistician, of New Zealand, the average of 33 bushels to the acre will produce 8,547,000- bushels- off- the estimated area of 259,000 acres. Many observers believe the area will actually prove to be very much greater, probably in the ’vicinity of 270,000 acres. It is pointed out. that a great deal of wheat was sown in September, and even later, as the result of the appeal by the Minister of Supply (Mr Sullivan), j MAORI WAR CANOE ’ AUCKLAND, February 10. The giant war canoe, Nga-T'oki- ' Matawhaorua. Which has presented a

magnificent spectacle at the centennial celebrations at the Bay of Islands, is to remain at Waitangi and be a companion to the whare-runanga or carved council house, erected by the Maori people to commemorate the generous gift of the Waitangi Estate to the nation by Lord and Lady Biedisloe.

This was the unanimous decision of the northern tribes assembled in conference at Waitangi, and. was in the nature of a gesture of loyalty to the British Crown and the Empire, with continued gratitude for Lord Eiedisloe’s gift, and in appreciation of the interest shown in the Maori people by Loid and Lady Galway. The tribes decided at Waitangi that the canoe paddles and costumes for its crew be handed over for safe custody tc the Waitangi National Trust Board’ to hold in perpetuity, subject only to the title or ownership remaining in the northern tribes. However, the canoe is to be available for the use of tribes on important ceremonial occasions, and when not in use will be stored in a special building of Maori design to be erected close to the whare-runanga. Carefully preserved, it should remain there for hundreds of years as a perfect example of Polynesian culture and Maori naval art.. The canoe was built by the northern tribes from northern forests, and wholly with northern money.