MATAPU.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 October 1924, Page 7

MATAPU.

FARMERS’ UNION MEETING. ROOT CROPS COMPETITION ARRANGED. A meeting of the. Mataou branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the hall on Monday evening. Mr. R. H. Free (president) occupied the chair. ROOT CROPS COMPETITIONS. Lengthy consideration was given to the branch roou ciops competitions for the coming season. it was decided to again hold competitions in swedes, mangolds and cariot growing, and that the closing date for entries be December 20, 1924, on which date a meeting would be held when tne opportunity would be afforded for considering an extension of the time. The chairman pointed out, however, that no extension of time could be allowed respecting nominations for the Sutton Cup competition. ' He explained that at a conference of delegates representing the branches affected, the 20th December had been fixed as the closing date for entries, in accordance with /which flic branch could not accept nominations after that date. After discussion an adjustment of the area to- be entered in the carrots competition was decided upon by a majority of one vote, the alteration providing that instead of the quarter acre which obtained the previous season, the area be half an acre. Classes and regulations adopted were as follow: —• . Swedes.—Two acres, to he in one piece, competitor to have the right to flag off 2 acres out of a larger crop. Mangolds.—Half an acre, whole area of each .sort to be judged, but not less than half an acre of each sort. Carrots.—As for mangolds. The secretary to be advised of the following particulars concerning the above, prior to the date of judging: Area of plot, nature of land, date ploughed, general preparation, variety of seed and amount per acre, kind of manure a.nd amount per acre, date sown, width of drill, particulars of cultivation. Points to he awarded as follow : 2 points for each ton. roots and 1 point for odd half and 1 point for odd quarter ton, with a maximum of .10 points each for cultivation and quality. The hon. secretary (Mr. R. C. Treweek) was directed to notify Mr. Deem (Department of Agriculture) of the competitions and request him to officiate as judge .some time during the latter part of May, 1925. GENERAL. The secretary reported that the net profit realised from the branch annual social held on the 4th July amounted to £8 9s 6d. A vote of thanks was recorded in appreciation of the hospitality extended by Mr. F. Ho skin (vice president) in entertaining members at a special social evening in the hall on August 29. Arising out of the suggestion put forward by Mr. F. Hoskin, a discussion took place concerning the organisation of a local show, hut in view of the activities on similar lines already adopted by neighbouring branches and the possibility of a Matapu show interfering with them, no action was taken. Mr. W. T. Seed was appointed to secure the names of the placed competitors in the Matapu school boys’ and girls’ calf-rearing competition, the secretary being requested on receipt of the information to- arrange for the presentation of the prizes awarded by the branch. . A suggestion that a visit be paid to the Manaia demonstration farm met with approval, and the secretary was authorised to communicate with the farm authorities asking if arrangements could be made for a visit by a party of branch members and advise as to a. suitable date. The transfer of Mr. F. J. Henry from the Puniho-Warea. branch of the Union wa?. received and accepted. Accounts totalling £5 7s 6d were passed for payment.