TOPICS OF INTEREST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23118, 18 February 1937, Page 3

TOPICS OF INTEREST

OFFICIAL NOTES

A man carrying a gun, and accompanied by a seedy-looking dog, was overtaken by a motorist, who ran over the dog and killed it. The driver, of the car was profuse in his apologies, and asked the man if £2 would be sufficient to compensate him for his loss. “Yes, that will do,” said the man as he pocketed the money. The motorist was relieved at being let down so lightly, and as he got into his seat he said, "Well, good day, and I’m sorry to have spoilt your sport. “I’m after no sport,” said the man. “I was just taking the dog into the bush to shoot him.” * * * The next meeting of the Dominion Executive, N.Z.F.U., will be held in Wellington on Tuesday next, when a very lengthy agenda 'paper will be dealt with. v At the annual meeting of the Lawrence branch of the N./.F.U. the following officers were elected; —President, Mr R, S. Paterson: vice-presi-dents, Messrs G. W. Stuart and H.. Winter; secretary, Mr D. E. Davidson; auditor, Mr A. K. Crawford. Mr R. S. Thompson was re-elected as representative on the Otago Provincial Council.

Mr J. M. Smith, fields superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, has arranged an agricultural field day on the Taieri Plain for to-day (Thursday). Potato-growers and especially those farmers who have crops entered for certification or samples in the qualification trials will no doubt appreciate the opportunity of inspecting the trials situated on the property of Mr Findlay, Duke’s road, Mosgiel, which is close to the Duke’s road railway siding, when a start will be made at 12.30 p.m. sharp. After inspecting the trials, a move will be made at 2 p.m. to inspect the grass and clover strain and species trial on the property of Mr J. Young. AllanA cordial invitation to be present is extended by the fields superintendent to all farmers who are interested.

The Waikouaiti branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held their annual picnic on Saturday last on the property of Mrs Bannatyne, Matanaka. In spite of rather unsettled weather, there was a good attendance, and the full programme arranged by the committee was carried out. Mrs Bannatyne and the Misses Bannatyne entertained the officials and visitors to a sumptuous lunch, and at the conclusion of the afternpons programme Mr A. Orbell (president) returned thanks for their kindly, hospitality. Mr Andrew Fell replied on behalf of the Bannatyne family. Mr A. C. Cameron, Miss Borrie, and Mrs Angus Cameron also spoke briefly on behalf of the visitors and members of the Dunedin staff, who had so thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment provided. , ~ . ~ The proceedings concluded by the singing of “ They Are Jolly Good Fellows ” and three cheers for the Bannatyne family for so kindly placing their beautiful property at the disposal of the branch for their picnic.

During the past few years the members of the Dunedin Chamber of. Commerce have made an annual visit to the country. Last year a party of. over 100 members and their wives visited Waikouaiti and Waihemo Counties. The previous year a visit was made to Tuapeka, Greenfield, and Clydevale districts, and this year it is proposed to visit the Strath-Taieri and Macrae s districts* \ The following interesting outing has been planned for next Tuesday, 23rd inst.:— , . . __ T 10.30 a.m.—Morning tea at Mr J. Aubrey’s homestead at Deep Stream. 12.30 p.m.—Luncheon at Mr Andrew Carruthers’s “ Nethertown.” Ngapuna, Middlemarch. ’ 3.45 p.m.—Afternoon tea at Macraes. As on previous occasions the members of the Farmers’ Union and Women’s Division of the Farmers Union, and others are combining to help make the function a complete success, and it is hoped that there will be a big gathering of local farmers to meet the party during the luncheon at Ngapuna, where a stay of about two hours will be made. The Dunedin Chamber of Cpmmerce has always been most helpful in assisting with the transport. and entertainment of visiting parties of farmers from overseas and from other provinces. It has also helped considerably with the arrangements for the annual young farmers’ and country girls’ educational weeks. On this account, if for no other reason, farmers should welcome an opportunity .of showing the visitors hospitality during this annual visit to the country.

Mr A. C. Cameron has arrangements in train for a tour of Central and South Otago farmers to North Otago and Canterbury. The tour will take one week, commencing on Monday, April 5 next. Farmers will assemble in Oamaru at 1.30 p.m. on the Monday, when visits will be made to the Waitakl Boys’ High School, the Pukeun Freezing Works, and to the large Oamaru stone mine. Next morning the party will visit the Otekaike Special School and have luncheon at the Waitaki Hydro Works and if time permits visit Mr A. C. Hurst’s at Papakaio. After lunch the party wil proceed to Waimate, where a demonstration of a gyrotiller will be witnessed, and thence to Timaru. On Wednesday, the South Canterbury farmers have arranged a most interesting day, and it. is likely that the whole of the transport for this day will he arranged by the Provincial Executive of the N.Z.F.U. A visit will be made to Clandeboye district, where morning tea will be provided, thence to Geraldine where the party will have luncheon. Some time will be spent at Mr Alan Grant’s wellknown property at Fairlie, where some of the best stock in Canterbury will be seen. Thence via Cave Memorial Church to Mr A. S. Elworthy’s property at Pareora. Next day, Thursday, the party will be the guests of the Mid-Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union, and visits will be paid to Mr J. R. Grigg’s property at Longbeach, and possibly others. On Friday the whole of the morning will be taken up by a visit to Lincoln College, where morning tea and luncheon will be provided, and the late afternoon the party will visit Sir Heaton Rhodes’s beautiful property at Tai Tapu. On Saturday morning two hours will be spent in visiting places of interest in and around Christchurch, after which the party will break up for their various destinations. Several evening functions have been tentatively arranged, and each day morning tea. afternoon tea, and luncheon will be provided by farmers in various districts. The whole of the arrangements are in the hands of Mr A. C. Cameron and his Oamaru. Timaru, and Christchurch managers. It is expected that the party will number about 150. Because of the limited amount of accomodation, at Oamaru and Timaru, the party must be limited to round about this number. Only financial members of the Farmers’ Union and Women’s Division and their families, and financial members of Young Farmers’ Clubs will be eligible for the trip.