N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 25 June 1928, Page 5

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

ANNUAL BALL AT MATAPU. The Me tap u branch of the Farmers ’ Union is a live organisation end takes a useful part in forwarding the interests of farmers in the district. It fosters competition’s for root crop growing amongst the farmers and the pupils of the schools, and to celebrate the end of the year in connection with these '.competitions, the committee arranges each year a re-union at the hall for member's of the branch and their friends. 'This event for 19'2S took place on Friday night in the hall and though the attendance was hardly up to last year’s function, a most enjoyable evening was spent. The first part of the evening wlas occupied by a concert programme, arranged by the honorary secretary, Air. It. C. Treweek, with the co-operation of firends in Hawera. The programme comprised items from several of H'awera’s leading performers and from the district. Songs were given by Airs. W. E. Carter (iHun'ter Road), Airs, and Air. F. Lowe (Hawera). Mr. Me Fariane (Wanganui). Cello solos by Air. H. N. Lester and recitations by Aliss AI. Washer (Okaiawa) and Air. F. Lowe. Accompaniments were played by Airs. Lowe and Airs. E. G. Betts. The concert proved one of the be'st heard at Alatapu. The prizes in connection wit h - the farmers ’ competitions were announced by Mr. J. W. Deem as follow: Carrots, 11. 11. Giddy I, R. C. Treweek 2, 11. H'osk'in 3; mangolds, T. York 1, F. llos. kin 2, W. A. Guy 3; swedes, W.AIcL ’- Dowie 1, W. A. Guy 2, A. G. Edlin 3. Air. Deem, said that the Duthio Road farmers were in the front this year and he was sure they would do their best to hold that position. Air. Betts .congratulated Alatapu branch for their good work and expressed the hope that the members would keep going strongly and so help the executive in its important work. The prizes for tlrt school competitions were then presented by Air. A. J. Glasson who took the opportunity of heartily congratulating the young competitors and said they had badly beaten “dad" in the crop's grown. He made special reference to the plot of Harold Willis, which ran out at 180 tons per acre and had decisively beaten the previous best. He added that the work of cultivation had generally been excellent.

Tlie prizes were awarded as follow: Mangolds, 11. Willis 1, E. Prestige 2, F. Prestige 3, T. Treweek 4; carrots, C. Treweek 1, B. Steer 2, H. Willi's 3. The awards for calf rearing, said Mr. Glas'son, bad been held back until the charts were all received. Dancing was enjoyed during the evening to good music supplied by Mrs. W. Bennett’s orchestra. (Normanby), Air. R. Hooker acting as ADC. and keeping the evening going well. WOAIEN’IS DIVISION. The lecture given at the Ilawera Hospital last Thursday was most successful and was attended by twentyone member's of the women’s division. The work taken for demonstration was very practical and such as would be useful in the home. .Sister Farquhar was the demonstrator and lecturer. PROGRESS OF THE DIVISION. Mrs. (Carter reported that in »all, there were nearly five hundred members in the women’s division and that, a branch was to be formed at Opunake. She paid a tribute to help given by Airs. B. Gillies, which had been most useful and acceptable. The progress generally has been extraordinarily good.