FARM COLONY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1930, Page 3

FARM COLONY

ACTIVITIICS AT RFTAR L ! lt U. W FILLING TON,- May 30. (<>niniissionor J. Cunningham, who recently took over the command of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, has just returned from Putamru, where he has been making arrangements for considerable developments on the Salvation Army farm colony there, including the establishment of dairy herds and installing pedigree Berkshire pigs for breeding purposes. It may Ibe said that Commissioner Cunningham is a practical farmer o : many years’ experience in iCugland and Africa, and was largely responsible for the development of the 3090acre fa.nil in Rhodesia which was a gift of the late Cecil Rhodes. The Colony a,t Putaruni is on plumice land, and Commissioner Cunningham is thoroughly satisfied that with the beneficent climate of New Zealand. farming operations on the area can he considerably extended, and lie believes that dairying and general farming operations in .the pumice co-'iitry can he carried on successfully. Top-dressing, of course, was nee-es-arv. but the crops amply, repaid

aiiv.thin* r done in that way. The Co'ni.missionor pointed out that there were two homes at Putaruni,

sincl while visiting there he had put a small herd of pedigree Jersey cattle on one and was ibuilding up a, herd lof pedigree Friesians on the other. ! The Jerseys were acquired in the Manawatu district, while a weDj known lireodcr in the South Island had helped to provide the nucleus of j a Friesian herd at a. very low figure, i \ member of the Salvation Armv had also presented a small group of Frie«ians to the eolonv. He was formerly an importer of Friesians and one of • . ••... -f i -.-l-'-w in. New Zealand. There is a butter factory close to the -oioiiv which Lakes the cream every 1 div. "nd during the next summer season it is hoped to milk 150 cows. Some i norlbrree soil's and boars , Imre aFo been nnrehased, and it is iid ended to develop this branch foi breeding and for the local market. Similar work is being carried on at ICltham. Wallaecvillo, and 'reinnka. First and second prizes for Berkshire pigs were secured at Teinuka. and the Putaruru colony gained three