WHAKAKI NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18190, 11 September 1933, Page 10

WHAKAKI NEWS

(Herald Correspondent.)

On the invitation of Sister Flora, of the Whakaki Maori mission, Mr. T. Lambert, Wairoa, addressed a considerable gathering of natives in the grounds of the Maori hall, the assemblage including a number of Maori women, who seemed to take great interest in the proceedings. The demonstrator, after sketching the two great divisions of fruits, the pip and the stone sections, illustrated how both were propagated by grafting and budding. He theri showed how to build up a tree, the apple being chosen, from the yearling rod to a three-year-old, and generally illustrated how each class of tree had to be treated to get the best results. The “step-up system" was also explained as practised in Australia. A demonstration of rose-pruning was given also, and though a litt’o belated, the overgrown bushes looked nil the better for tiie drastic treatment given them. There are some hundreds of roses, and the ladies are to continue o,n the system exhibited. The demonstrator then planted an apple tree, of the Salome variety, first showing “how not to do it" and then planting the tree as it should he, the Maoris quickly admitting that they had been planting in the wrong way. An adjournment was then made to the mission house, where grapepruning tind dressing—also belated — were Illustrated. At the close Mrs. Coleman Hook, on behalf of the Maori people, thanked the demonstrator for the trouble lie had taken in paying a visit to Whakaki, and for the interesting demonstration, which, the speaker said she hoped would prove of benefit, and that yet another visit might lie secured. The demonstrator, replying, said lie was only too pleased to help the Maori people in this way. He had previously apologised for the delay, but duty calls and the had weather had intervened. He thought Sister Flora had made a- mistake in calling upon him, as he did not profess to he an expert, but there was no hope left of denying the sister in charge of the mission.