FEILDING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXVI, Issue 27, 31 December 1945, Page 2

FEILDING

DISTRICT FARMING

( UNFAVOURABLE SEASON

Weather conditions have not been favourable for the production of fruit this year, and as a result of devastating spring winds it is obvious that the stone fruit crops will be light. Plums, of which there is usually an abundance, have been disappointing, owing to the winds and premature windrall apples have been picked up in local orchards. Nectarines and peaches found it difficult to withstand the persistent wind and crops will be light in this district. Blight amongst potato crops is not as prevalent as usual, and locally there are prospects of good yields. Local wheat-growers havo shown littlo optimism regarding their crops this year. They state that the absence of sun has had a detrimental effect. Since the rain came there lias been an improvement in the growth of pasture and dairy production has improved a shade, but taken over the season the output of butter in this district will be lower than last year's. The sheep-farmer likewise has not experienced a very satisfactory season and wool clips do not measure up to last' year's weights, while fat lambs have taken longer to mature and have also failed to reach normal weights for this time of the season. There have been isolated oases where sheep-farmers have been able to get away normal drafts and in the Mt. Stewart district lambs havo done very well, but the general experience is that returns will bo lower.

NOTES. The Boy Scouts' camp at "Grassmere" (Colyton) opened today when approximately 100 boys were provided for. Given good weather it is hoped that valuable instruction will be possible and that the camp training will measure up to the work carried out last year at ''Grassmere." Milder weather prevailed in Feikling on Saturday when, after a period of bitterly cold days, the sun was shining and conditionas were much more pleasant. The. W.E.A. organisation is at present holding a summer school at the High School, there being 100 attending from various parts of the Dominion.

Warrant-Officer K. McLean, son-in-law of Mr and Mrs J. E. Barltrop, oi Beattia Street, Feilding, is home on leave from the Pacific Islands where he has been serving with the New Zealand Forces.

It is reported that the services of the Power Board staff have been required to deal with cases of householders having failed to switch off a electric hot water services when they proceeded on holiday.

Twice this month the rainfall has measured 58 points. On December 1 and again yesterday the measurement was identical, according to the records of Mr F. Mason, of Sandon Road. While it rained heavily here during Sunday morning it was fine at Foxton Beach, where a number of Feilding residents are holiday-making. Although there was no wind this morning rain set in early in Feilding and it was very cold for this time of the year.

Mr and Mrs Bruco McLood, of Colyton, are spending a few day* at. Foxton Beach. By advertisement in this issued Feilding grocers intimate that their shops will bo closed on Saturday mornings as from this week and in future will' open from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (Mondays to Thursdays), and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays. GOLDEN WEDDING.

Mr and Mrs James Packer, of Bowen Street, Feilding, celebrated their golden wedding on Christmas Day, December 25, at the homo of their son, Mr T. Packer, of Pharazyn Street, Feilding, when some 30 guests assembled to do them honour. The Mayor (Mr T. L. Seddon) called on Mr and Mrs Packer and extended to them his congratulations and good wishes, while other congratulatory messages were received and, during the celebrations, family group photographs were taken.

Born in Rainham, Kent, England, in 1870, Mr Packer is the third son of the late Mr J. Packer, of Rainham- Mrs Packer is the eldest daughter of the late Mr T. Tassell, formerly of Luton, England, and late of Marton, New Zealand. She was born at Luton in 1875. Mr and Mrs Packer were married at the Anglican Parish Church in Upchurch, Kent, 50 years ago, Rev. H. Cooper officiating, and came to Now Zealand in 1913 on the Athenic, landing at Wellington from whence they came to Feilding. Mr and Mrs Packer have remained here ever since. Their family comprises five sons and a daughter—Messrs S. Packer, of Dannevirke, James, Thomas, Albert, and George Packer, of Feilding, and Mrs W. Towler (Ethel), also of Feilding. There are 12 grandchildren and two childrenWhile Mrs Packer has not enjoyed very good health during the past year*Mr Packer is still able to give attention to his business and, during the celebrations on Christmas Day, they were the recipients of a handsome radio eet as a gift from their children. Until demobilished recently, their son, Flying-Officer S. Packer, Vas serving with the R.N.Z.A.F. and at one stage was stationed at Ohakea Station as assistant adjutant.