FIELD TURNIP COMPETITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2414, 14 June 1900, Page 14

FIELD TURNIP COMPETITION.

At. a meeting of settlers of the Waiwera district., held on the 9th inst., under tha auspices of the Waiwera Farmers' Club, the working of the Rabbit Act came in for discu£,sion_ at some'lengfch. Members were unanimous in condemning the manner in winch' landowners were continually harrassed 'by the department. Ultimately the following resolutions were passed and instructions given to forward copies of same to tlie Minister of Lands and to Mr J.~ W. Thomson, M.H.R. for Olutha:—"(1) That,the present administration of the Rabbit Nuisance Act is causing great annoyance and much unnecessary expense to settlers; (2) that 23 is undesirable to place such large powers in the hands of the inspectors as to practically malc9 them the iudge, as well as accuser, in any breaches of the act brought into court againsfe bottlers." The insufficient supply of grain trucks -was tne next item that engaged the attention of tho meeting. It was resolved to write to the Railway department pointing out their inability to cope satisfactorily with the grain trafiic. and the consequent trouble and delay that farmers were put to from this cause. . The new railway passenger tariff, which is to come into fores at the end' of the month, was also discus&ed. Although sweeping reductions were made- in a number of cases, it wa'- considered the concessions given for or-dh-ary travelling of country settlers was dis>oppointing aud of very little improvement on iormer rates. General regret was cxj.rossed that ifo inducement is offered for taking out return tickets, which is a modu of t Voveil'ng very suitable to give encouragement to the fixed 'population of the country ,to travel by the railway?. | j I

JUDGES' EEPORT- AND AWARDS? The Committee of the Otago A. and P. Association, 111 making known the award of the judges hi the field turnip competition, report: The committee regret that the entries for these classes are not larger, as it is oac 01 the most interesting competitions, and trust than next year farme-s will take more advantage of the society's endeavours to foster and eneours.^ this important branch of the farming industry. Mes-srs D. M. Smith (Gieenfieldi and J.smeii E. Mitchell (Clydevalc) were the judges selected, and they have jusfc concluded their repoit. The following are the list of awards: — Messrs Joseph Fison and Co/s. (Limited) trophy, value £10, and gold medal, far the best 16 acres or over of turnips (any variety) grov.n with Fison's fertiliseis—William Telford, Clifton. ' Tho Christchurch Meat Company's silver trophy, valued at 15gs, for the best 10 acres of jellow Aberdeens, grown on land not exceeding A's per acie as per county valuation—Eobt. Wood (Beaumont) 1, J. M'Coll Smith (Ahuriri) 2. Mr Robert Woods has now won this trophy two years in succession, and- it therefore 'becomes'his absolute pioperty. ~ Messrs Nimmo and Blair's trophy, valued at 15gs, and gold medal, for best 10 acres or over of Swede turnips (auy variety)—G-. H. Gilroy, Stirling. The society's gold medal, for the best 10 acres or over of green crop, including turnips, cariots, mangolds, etc—James Blair, West Taieri. The judges wish to take this opportunity of thanking all those with whom they came in contact for the assistance given them, and for tho hospitality extended wherever thty hap» pened to visit.