MOUMAHAKI.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 July 1924, Page 3

MOUMAHAKI.

LEASE OF STATE FAR A!

A SCHEME OUTLINED

At the Wanganui Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union on Wednesday Mr j. W. Deem was present to explain various matters in connection with the Aloumahaki State Farm. Mr T. Currie, chairman, stated that there had been - a great deal of discussion regarding Moumahaki State Farm. He had asked Mr J. W. Deem to attend the meeting .and explain the scheme that 'had been outlined to retain a portion of the farm. Air Deem said that the scheme was not his, as he was not taking a leading part to retain the farm. The movement started at Waverley, and later delegates from that branch visited the farm. It was suggested that 150 acres Ire retained and run on much the same lines as Stratford. There they formed an Incorporated Society to control the demonstration area. The society was composed of anyone who elected to become a member at 5s per vear. About 12 people guaranteed *the "overdraft at the start. These nominated three of a committee, and the members the other three, and the department the chairman. A subsidy was granted for seven years. At Alanaia a demonstration area was also started. A lease had been granted from the County Council for. 21 years. The Government granted a subsidy of ..-£2OO for three years. That had expired, and they were getting a further subsidy of £IOO a vear. The operations were entire!v free - from Wellington, except that the Alinister had the right to nominate a chairman. The matter of a similar area at Moumahaki was one entirely for the farmers. The buddings and fencing were there, but farmers might consider whether another place would be more desirable. He was sure the department would help them. Aloumahaki would not be disposed of this year, as special legislation would be required for the disposal of the, money. There were two points well worth considering, namely, supplementary feeding for dairy cows and ewes. It would pay well to supplement dairy cow feeding at a certain period of the year. The same applied to ewes and lambs, more so on the second-class farms, and would help to get the lambs away more quickly and three or four pounds heavier. This was not a test for the individual farmer to earrv out, but could be carried out at Moumahaki. •If that class of work were to develop be would like to _ see a cpmmittee of farmers working in conjunction with the Government.

Asked regarding the Taranaki experimental areas, Mr Deem said these were self-supporting, apart from the subsidy, and in addition to improvements the overdraft had been reduced. Ali- Howie said he had no idea that in taking over a .part of Aloumahaki that the farmers would have to put their hands in their pockets. Air Deem said the guarantee would be from £].2OQ to £ISOO. They would have to purchase the necessary con’s, pay wages, etc. They would probably get a portion of Aloumahaki'at a cheap rental.

Mr A. Robinson asked whether they could roly on n subsidy from the educational authorities if {iiev gave instruction to a certain number of’technical school bovs

Air Doom said ho hardly thought so, us the educational authorities usually tried to push the matter on to the shoulders of the Agricultural Department. .

Mr Deem also explained that the intention of the Department- was to dispose of Aloumahaki and use the funds from the leases as an endowment for all time for agricultural instruction between Wanganui and New Plymouth. A fund would be formed for agricultural extension work.

Air Gregor McGregor (Waverley) said that what his branch wished to know was whether, if they took over the'* area, they would receive support from the Wanganui end. Air E. Parsons said lie thought that farmers at this end would prefer a demonstration area on their own, which would be available also for the technical school bovs. He thought, the matter should bo referred to the branches to obtain their opinions. Mr W. Alorrison said that he did not think the sale of Afouniahaki would affect them at all, as they would get the subsidy just the same if they established an area .south of Wanganui. Air J. fliggie said he was not in favour of selling Moumahaki at all. He always had delight, in visiting the farm to see the type of stock. However, he thought the time had come to have smaller areas. What suited Aloumahaki would not suit the heavier clay land of Wanganui. One of the chief experiments would he top-dress-ing to renew the pastures. They wanted experiments in top-dressing and to find out the class of manure that would suit farms in their district. They should also go further and ask the Government. to rail manures at a cheaper rate. They also wanted manures more simply described, so that the farmers would know their constituency.

A committee was set up to draw up a list regarding Afmimnhaki, for submission to branches.

Air Deem was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.—Herald.