VISITING FARMERS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13167, 28 January 1936, Page 3

VISITING FARMERS.

TOURING NEW ZEALAND. SOUTH AUSTRAL! A A PA RT V. After an instructive and interesting tour of the South Island, the party of 16 South Australian producers arrived in Wellington on the Rangatira, after a pleasant trip from Christchurch. Much valuable information was obtained from visits to producing centres in the South Island, while the marvellous mountain and lake scenery met with delighted comments. The tour began with an inspection of Southland, the party then proceeding to Queenstown and the Hermitage. Afterward tlui Canterbury Plains were inspected, and their amazing fertility was discussed at length, the tourists considering that they had received much valuable information there. as South Australia has a big area of similar but largely undeveloped country near the Victorian border in the lower south-east of the State. The sheep studs, particularly the Corriedales, were most interesting, and members of the party purchased 12 Southdown rams, five Border Leicestei-s and 12 Corriedales, the latter flock sires and the* former selected studs. The Corriedales were much better in frame and constitution than the South Australian type, but stronger in the wool, and members thought it probable that an infusion of Dominion blood would be a dva ntageous. SOME PURCHASES. The Coriiedale studs visited included Glenovis, belonging to Messrs D. and M. Sidey, and Hui Hui, belonging to the estate of the late H. T. Little. The Clydesdales of Mr J. S. Langley, of Rukaia, impress- < d the visitors as the best they had seen here, while Mr James Stewart's Border Leicesters and Southdown? at Rosebairk impressed them so much that they made several purchases. On arrival at Wellington, the party divided, some members visiting racing studs, and others proceeding to the municipal milk supply, where they were conducted over the works by the dairy superintendent (Mr S. S. Steele). The visitors were very enthusiastic in their commendation of the scheme, particularly in regard to the narrow margin between the pile; pafil to the producer and that charged to the consumer. The general efficiency and cleanliness also impressed them. The party was to have been the guests of the Wellington Racing Club at Trent lia m, but owing to the death of the King only seven members attended. the rest adhering t to the original schedule. The tour was sponsored by The Advertiser, Adelaide, with the object of giving publicity to the South Australian centenary, which is to be celebrated in 1936, and also to enable a representative body of primarcy producers to obtain information in regard to New Zealand’s prinui ry-produciiig methods, particularly in regard to pasture management and fat lamb production, while another object was to inquire into the possibilities of a party of Dominion producers visiting the State during the Centenary year, preferably during September, while the Royal Show and centennial exhibition of stud Merino sheep are being held.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES.

While South Australia is substantially a primary-producing State, it has the largest motor-body building works in the Southern Hemisphere, the most up-to-date silver lead smelting works in the world, the biggest furniture and tinware factories in Australia, and has been selected for the establishment of an alkali works to supply the Commonwealth’s requirements. Approximately 8,000,000 acres are cultivated, producing .37,000,000 bushels of wheat, 5,500,000 of barley, 11,000,000 gallons of wine, 10,000,000 tons of raisins and sultanas and 7000 tons of currants? Associated with the wine industry is one of the biggest distilleries in the world. The State also Jins nearly 8,000,000 sheep, 350,000 cattle, 200,000 horses and 100.000 pigs, exporting more than 300,000 lambs.

From a tourist point oi view, Adelaide is probably the most beautiful city in Australia, with one ot the best climates, while scenic-ally the State has much to offer, particularly in the Mount Lofty Ranges and River Murrav areas.