INSPECTION OF INVERMAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27197, 28 September 1949, Page 4

INSPECTION OF INVERMAY

“An Excellent Property,” Says Mr Tennent A “ RUAKURA” FOR THE SOUTH “ This is an excellent property,” the Assistant-Director-General of Agriculture, Mr R. B. Tennent, said yesterday after he had inspected the Invermay Research Farm on the Taieri. .“We expect much from it, and we are looking forward to doing work that will ultimately mean a great deal to the progress of Otago and Southland. It is our intention that Invermav will be the Ruakura of the South Island.”

Mr Tennent explained that the purpose of his visit was to inspect the property and “ to look into its whole future programme.” He spent a busy day yesterday inspecting every acre with the superintendent of Invermay, Mr G. A. Holmes. After attending Lincoln Agricultural . College, Mr Holmes has had considerable farming experience in Otago, Southland, the North Island and overseas. He was recently appointed superintendent of the Invermay Research Farm, and has just taken up residence on the property. “ We have Invermay in the charge of a very experienced man,” Mr Tennent said, “and we hope to build up a particularly good team of scientific workers here. “The beauty of this property,” Mr Tennent continued, ,r is that it contains heavy rich land, on which we can deal vyith arable farming problems and also extensive stockraising problems. There is also much second - class hill - country land on Invermay, typical of many thousands of acres in the south, and here the main problem to be » tackled will be the establishment and maintenance of grasses. It is the intention to pay particular attention at Invermay to the development of second-class country.” Mr Tennent gave a gentle warning “ that the development of the Invermay property to the standard contemplated will take time.” There were physical difficulties associated with buildings and equipment, he said, and there was also a shortage of high-class technical personnel, who, it was intended ultimately, would be centred at Invermay. ' As he chatted with- the Daily Times on the property yesterday, Mr Tennent drew attention to the proximity of the Taieri airfield “just over the fence.” He mentioned how well served Invermay would be by both air and rail services. It would be possible to arrive

by air at the Taieri in the morning, spend several hours on the property, and depart by air in the afternoon. All trains stop at Mosgiel, except the limited, which stops at Milton, so that persons travelling by train fvill be able to reach Invermay with the least difficulty and delay. The three houses on the property have been completed, and Mr Holmes is already occupying one. There is a

small shearing shed on the property, and as soon as circumstances permit new sheep yards of the latest type and a spray din will be provided. Recent activity at‘lnvermay has been the topdressing of the pastures. “ Invermay will be the centre for big field days for farmers in the future,” Mr Tennent remarked.