ELTHAM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 25 April 1914, Page 5

ELTHAM.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The quarterly meeting of the Eltham Chamber of Commerce was held on. Thursday night. Present: Messrs J. McVeagh (in the chair), J. L. Weir, R. J. Carter. H. W. Bovis, and h! G. Carman. Mr G. D. Gow sent an apology for absence. The Postmaster-General wrote with reference to the Chamber's complaint about Wellington-Lyttelton boat mining connection with the New Plymouth mail train. The Department had communicated with the Union Steam. Shipping Co., who gave various reasons for the connection being missed* and expressed the hope that it would not occur so frequently in the future. —Received.

A letter was received from the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce with refer, ence to the Union Steam Shipping. Co.'s service to the New Plymouth, breakwater, and stating that ■Mr Aitken, general manager of the company, would be in New Plymouth, shortly to receive deputations on the* subject. The letter asked if them were any complaints, and requestedthe Elthant Chamber's co-operation if there were.

On the motion of Mr Carman, it?^ was resolved: That in the opinion of the Eltham Chamber of Commerce tie* present shipping service from southern^ ports to New PI -mouth in insufficient for the requirements of the district, and that the Union Steam Shipping; Co. be approached to act in conjunction with this Chamber and the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce regarding the institution of a more regular andt adequate service. Mr C. A. Wilkinson) M.P., was appointed to represent the Chamber on. the deputation: A report by the deputation wh<* waited on the Hon. W. H. Herries r Minister of Railways, at Hawera with. reference to the Opunake railway wait received. It was decided to call a generar meeting next month. VISIT TO MOUMAHAKI. The visit of the party under thatauspices of the Farmers' Union to theMoumahaki State Farm was a mosfc enjoyable and profitable one. Tjh» party were Conveyed by dr&RS from. the station, and on arrival were mefe by the assistant manager, Mr Kirkland (Mr Lonsdale is at present on m. visit to Australia). A good luncheons was .already prepared, and was nraeh»» enjoyed by the visitors. A visit waat then paid to the grass fields. whera»the various methods of cultivation an* . manuring, top-dressing and renewing, and the results were fully explained.. The growing of lucerne was perhapsone of the most interesting parts oB the experimental work. A very largo* portion of the farm has. been laii. down with this fodder, and the resulted have been most satisfactory; whether: as hay, ensilage or for feeding off ite is equally satisfactory. The root crops looked particularly well. The inaifcgolds and carrots are estimated to» yield over 60 tons to the acre. Th«turnips were rood, but in some*varieties the blight had got io them. The imported Ayrshire cattle were* inspected, and also some of their proe--geny. The opinion was freely express— .ed that they were fine specimens. One feature of the inspection wasv the points that were given in tte> rotation of crops, this being a chief feature.at the farm.

The party expressed themselves a& having had a most instructive day— Afternoon tea having been partaftem of, three hearty cheers were given, for Mr Kirkland and staff, and a movet was made for home.