EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR NORTH OTAGO.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13666, 7 September 1916, Page 1

EXPERIMENTAL FARM FOR NORTH OTAGO.

DEPUTATION TO NORTH OTAUO ■AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL . ' ASSOCIATION.

A deputation from the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce waited upon the c6rn- ; mittee of the; NbTtlf Otago-Agricultural aml Pastoral Association yesterday afternoon with reference to the establishment of an experimental farm in North' Otago. • iTlie deputation consisted of Mr W. 11. Pose (president of the Chamber, of Commerce),. Mr R. K. Ireland, Mr W. Snmpter, • and the secretary of the chamber.

Air W, 11. Rose, who acted as spokesman i'or Ihe deputation, recalled the negotiations thai had been carried on between llio Chamber and the Department of Agriculture. Ho referred to the decision of the Minister of Agriculture that the claims of North Otago as a suitable locality for an experimental farm would receive uoiisiderauri. Mr Rose referred to-the agitation that la.l gone on in Ashburton, Waimate, ,

Clutha, and the statements that farms were being applied for in all those localities.- The speaker further staled that lie considered it was time that the Agricultural and Pastoral Association took Iho mattor up for itself and in the interests of farmers of the district, The statement of the department that the localities for the establishment of experimental farms in the South Island had not been decided, and the reference to the claims of the Otekaiko Special School as a favourable situation for such a farm were not considered satisfactory, the latter locality being too far removed from the centre of the North Otago district. What was required was a farm of about 200 acres; in a handy situation. Mr Rose further drew attention to the opinion expressed by the Fields Inspector after an inspection of Otekaike, that the locality was not .suitable. He suggested that further combined pressure should be,brought to bear upon the Agricultural Department by the two organisations in order to obtain a deliuite statement of the Minister's intentions in the mattor.

Mr R. K, Ireland said he hoped the matter would not be allowed to lapse seeing that proposals had gone so far, and he said the matter should be further pressed upon the Minister for the Department.

The chairman of the Agricultural anil Pastoral Association (Mr John Maephersonj thought the Government was not likely to buy a farm in the district ami that if it could he arranged to lease a farm to the 'Government for experimental purposes something might be done.

H was pointed out that the Government already had suitable land in the district which it was considered could be used fur the purpose desired. II was ultimately decided that the committee previously set up by the Agricultural and-Pastoral Association to confer with the Chamber of Commerce on the matter should meet with the members of the deputation forthwith »'id draft, a telegram to the Minister ei^ Agriculture on the subject! The joint committees subsequently met and agreed to the despatch of the following telegram to the Minister, signed by the president of both organisations :

"A joint meeting of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association •i»d the Oamam Chamber of Commerce resolved unanimously to urge you to at once give a favourable KOiiaiilerntion to Die district's request for the establishment of an experimental farm here. Disappointed decision so long delayed, •'leliiiildi .School considered unsuitable "iir i>M-|iiiremeiils, ' Kindly wire stating Hlial jon are prepared Itulo;"