FARMERS’ TOURS

Southland Times, Issue 20665, 22 April 1929, Page 2

FARMERS’ TOURS

INTER-ISLAND VISITS.

ITINERARY OF SOUTHLAND EXCURSION.

SOUTH TARANAKI VISITORS.

Consideration was given at Saturday’s meeting of the Southland executive to the itinerary submitted by Mr C. E. Barnes, commercial representative of the Railway Department, for the proposed excursion of Southland farmers to the North Island in July next. In the first place it was decided not to participate with Otago and North Otago fanners in the originally planned excursion. The secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson) explained that the second itinerary (published last week) differed from the previous one in that the visits to Taranaki and North Auckland were deleted, and several days in Hawkes Bay and the East Coast substituted. Mr W. H. Ward said it was desirable that the itinerary should include Taranaki as there was much there to interest the dairymen of Southland, as it was all fertile country. He was pleased that the North Auckland trip had been cut out, but would suggest that a short trip to Taranaki should be added.

Mr J. C. Patterson said he thought the new itinerary Was preferable, but the excursion was too late. He suggested that the executive approve of the second itinerary, but suggest that the excursion betaken earlier.

This was agreed to. Mr J. Evans suggested that the trip from Rotorua to Taupo should be made by motor via Lake Taupo. This was one of the finest scenic drives in the Dominion. This was not considered practicable. Mr' I L. Woodfield recommended that one of the two days at Wellington should be deleted and a day at Palmerston North included. This was adopted. .

Mr Ward.moved that Taranaki be included in the trip even if only a one-day excursion could be arranged.

Mr A. R. Johnston moved as an amendment that the executive press for the privr lege for excursionists to visit Taranaki if they wished to do so after the return to Wellington. Mr Johnston’s amendment was adopted. Mr Niedercr suggested that some endeavour should be made to include a brief visit to Taranaki.

A sub-committee consisting of Messrs D. Dickie (president), Ward, Johnston, E. K. Sim. Niedercr and Adamson were appointed to confer with Mr Barnes. Later, Mr Barnes met the committee and agreed to make provision for a day to be spent at Palmerston North. He said he did not think it would be possible to include the visit to Taranaki without unduly. prolonging the excursion. He could State definitely that tickets lor the return from Wellington would be available for a fortnight after the excursion concluded, and so the travellers would have the opportunity of visiting Taranaki if they so desired. SOUTH TARANAKI FARMERS. ENTERTAINMENT IN SOUTHLAND. A meeting of the committee, representative of the Farmers’ Union, A. and P. Association, Southland League, Southland Motor Association and Invercargill Chamber of Commerce, which is undertaking the entertainment of the South Taranaki farmers while in Southland at the end of next month, was held on Saturday. Mr D. Dickie, president of the Southland executive of the Farmers’ Union, presided.

Mr A. L. Adamson stated that latest advices indicated that, approximately 200 people would be taking the special excursion. The party would arrive in Invercargill at 10 p.m. on Thursday, .May 31, and would spend Friday in Invercargill, leaving on Saturday morning. On the occasion of the visit of Canterbury farmers last year ;1 levy had been made on members of the Farmers’ Union and A. and P. Association and in addition a charge of 10/- had" been made on the visitors. As the time of the North Islanders’ visit was so limited the scale of entertainment would not require to be so great, but probably a small charge on the visitors would be necessary.

Mr Barnes said the Department would be prepared to collect whatever charge was decided upon. It was agreed that a motor trip should be undertaken on the Friday.

Mr J. R. Haigh suggested that to obviate the dust trouble some rendezvous should be selected for luncheon and the drivers allowed to take different routes. The chairman said that the entertainment at Gore had been arranged so that the visitors should be met by the owners of motor cars made available and should be taken to the farmers’ properties for lunch and brought back to Gore in time to continue their journey to Dunedin. The route which the motor trip on Friday would follow was then discussed, and it was decided that lunch should be taken at Otautau.

Messrs Adamson and Haigh were appointed to make an effort to secure cars for the trip.

Mr Haigh suggested that the evening entertainment shov'd take the form of a conversazione and sub-committee consisting of Messrs C. Bradfield, W. Alexander, Haigh and Adamson was set up to make arrangements; ■