YOUTHFUL, FARMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21505, 31 May 1933, Page 9

YOUTHFUL, FARMERS

WORK OF INSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN AUCKLAND ENCOURAGING PROGRESS MADE Tho important bearing of Young Farmers' Clubs on national life was outlined in a comprehensive report presented at the first annual meeting of the Auckland Club held at Otahuhu last evening. Clubs of this type had been established in many parts of the world, stated tho report, and in Britain tho club movement had developed in 1932 to tho stage when a National Federation- of Young Farmers' Clubs had been formed. Tho Auckland Club had been modelled on the constitution of the British clubs, whose motto was: "Industry and Thrift." The general purposes and advantages of club work might be summarised by saying that membership provided an introductory training in the raising of crops and stock by approved methods. It aimed at stimulating in young people the desire for further knowledge of nature and for the care of living things. This was the basi3 of all club activities.

Tho Auckland Club had made a cood start. This had been rendered possible by the substantial donations and assistance from Auckland business firms.

Commenting on tho report, Dr. W. S. Hill, agricultural instructor at the Otahuhu Technical High School, who directs tho club's affairs, said that probably the great value of this type of movement was only realised in times of adversity. Proposals for the development of the club were considered and were referred to the executive for action. In a resume of the activities of the club since its inauguration some months ago. Dr. Hill stated tho foundation junior members of the club were the 59 boys of the agricultural classes at the Otahuhu Technical High School. Since then there had been additional members from other classes of the school.

The poultry sections of the dub consisted of 73 members. Members had commenced keeping poultry at their homes, or have greatly improved their methods by culling and proper feeding. An exceptionally keen group has been set up in the beekeeping section. Hives and appliances were being made by the boys in the woodwork and metal work departments of the Otahuhu High School. Twenty-three boys had commenced fattening one or more pigs in the pigraising section. In order to provide cheap soncentrated feed the boys had collected acorns, and over scwt. had already been put in store. In the past three months saleable tree seeds to the value of £34 had been collected in the seeds section. The report was adopted and appreciation of .the work of Dr. Hill, tho; honorary secretary and organiser, was expressed. The following officers were elected:— Patron, Sir James Parr; vice-patrons. Mr. S. Austin Carr, president of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and Mr. T. Collins, of the Department of Agriculture; president, Mr. T. TJ. Wells, chairman of the Auckland Education Board: chairman, Mr. C. 11. Petrie; executive, Messrs. W. S. Hill (hon. secretary), F. W. Martin, W. W. Massey, M.P., G. F. Massev. I?. Kimpton, W. Jordan. M.P., J. Clark.