FARMERS ON TOUR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 161, 27 June 1930, Page 6

FARMERS ON TOUR

NORTH AUCKLANDERS IN H.B. GREATLY IMPRESSED WITH VISIT. ENTERTAINED IN HASTINGS. The party of North Auckland farmers who have been visiting Hawke’s Bay left Hastings yesterday morning. In conversation with a “Tribune” representative several of the tourists expressed their sincere thanks for the generous hospitality extended to thm. “It has been a great pleasure to come here, and 1 can tell you that one and all of us have benefited by our visit,” said one visitor, who was particularly interested in the fruit industry. He had spent Wednesday afternoon inspecting several orchards _in and about Hastings, and he was returning to his home province with, as he described it, "a case full of useful hints.” Quite a number of the tourists were impressed greatly with the Showgrounds at Tomoana, and with Cornwall Park. Ono sheep-fanner who is a regular exhibitor at various shows described the Tomoana grounds as “tho most beautiful in New Zealand and a great credit to Hawke’s Bay.” On Wednesday evening the visitors were entertained by the Hawke’s Bay branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union at a social evening and dance in the Assembly Hall, Hastings. The gathering was quite an informal one and afforded enjoyment to all. At the outset the Mayor (Mr. G. F. Roach) extended a civic welcome to the visitors, and to this was added a welcome by Mr. R. E. Talbot, president of the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Union. Tho remainder of the evening was devoted to dancing and vocal and instrumental items. The Mayor (Mr G. F. Roach), when extending a hearty welcome to the visitors, said that the people of Hastings were only too pleased to welcome them. The only regret was that the party's visit was so short. The Farmers’ Union had done its best to show them as much as possible of tho district in the short time available. Hastings was proud of its fame nnd of its farmers, particularly the farmers, for, were it not for them, the people of Hastings might as well shut up shop. Mr. Talbot regretted that the visitors could not bo shown more of tho district’s prosperity “It was mentioned at the recent meeting of the directors of the Bank of New Zealand that the solution to the problems facing New Zealand to-dav was a little more work and a little more production,” he said. “We in Hawke’s Bay are doing our share in this direction. He then quoted the following figures showing the increased production in Hawke’s Bay:—Fruit: 1928, 65,000 cases; 1929, 195.000; 1930. 218,000, Wool: 1926-27, 112,000 bales; 1927-28, 120,000: 1928-29. 125,000. Mutton: 1926-27 , 439.000 carcases; 1927-28, 425,000; 1' 28-29, 360,000. Lamb: 1926-27, 532,000 carcases. and for the seven months this season 575,000. Butter: 1926-27. 1291 tons, and for eight months of this year 2400 tons. On behalf of the visitors, Mr. Hadley Kay expressed thanks for tho hearty welcome extended the party in this district. One and all appreciated the gift booklets sent down to Woodville by tho Mayor and distributed to the members on the train. Judging from the information contained in the booklet, it was quite clear that Hastings had made wonderful progress in recent years. “We have heard a lot about Hastings and Hawke’s Bav. Now T want to tell you a few things about North Auckland,” he added. “We have the chani, pion Jersey cow up there and the butterfat test of another cow in our district is 42-llbs. The average rainfall is 63 inches and the average temperature 62 degrees. Can you beat that here?” (Laughter). Referring to the tour, he said that its value could not be over-estimated It was nn excellent thing to have an interchange of ideas and the Railways Department was to he congratulated nn its enterprise in providing the necessary facilities.