ESSAY COMPETITION

Southland Times, Issue 21092, 26 May 1930, Page 2

ESSAY COMPETITION

REGINALD MCKINNON MEMORIAL. PRIZEAVINNING EFFORTS. At the jubilee banquet of the Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Society on Friday evening the results were announced of the essay competition for the Reginald McKinnon memorial prizes which were judged by Mr J. McNeil, Invercargill. The prize-winning essays are published Motor And The Horse. First prize in the Grade 3 and upwards competition, and in addition a medal for the champion essay in the primary division was won by Master Jack Hunter, of the Mimihau School, whose essay based on the subject: “How the motor engine has superseded the horse on road and farm. Is the change likely to be maintained or go further?” was as follows:—“History paints a vivid picture of the means of travel. The Britons walked and carried coracles. In the time of Elizabeth a coach was made but it had no springs. It was drawn by two draught horses as the roads were very poor. Later on stage coaches were made. George Stephenson invented the railway engine which would run on rails. By the end of the 19th century the motor-engine was invented. To-day on important days the streets are crowded with cars, the old ones and the latest models. Motor engines are not only used for cars but for power machines on the farm and road. Up till a few years ago many large teams were carting loads, but now that the motor-engine has proved itself superior horses are very few. Tractors work on farms because they can do more work than horses and are handier. Lorries are used on the road for carting goods because they are very much faster than horses. They are not so much trouble as horses and can cart more at a' cheaper rate. Buggies and gigs were used as the means of travel before the motorengine. Steam-driven vehicles were used by some people. Since the coming of the .motor-car all these means have been set aside and people have bought cars instead. A car is much more comfortable than a gig or a buggy, and people are able to travel longer distances much more easily and speedily. Think of driving to the doctor in a gig during a cold storm, and going now in a warm upholstered limousine! Would not the people of olden days be amazed to see us rushing about in cars? To-day cars are almost universal. On the occasion of the Royal Show in Invercargill it is estimated that the value of the cars parked in the city streets was over a million pounds. How seldom do we see a gig or trap on the road! If we do see one, how quaint we think it looks. The motor-engine has rendered great service to mankind and has made life much more agreeable and comfortable. No doubt the development of the motor-engine will be greater in future. Still a horse is a wonderful creature. What hand-made thing can compare with the graceful lines of this noble creature? What movement and action there is about a team of horses! The horse has rendered valuable service to man, and it is to be hoped that it is not allowed to die out. As far as the signs of the times may be read, the horse will be more and more superseded by the motor on both road and farm. Still, I think, there will be a place for the horse on rough farms.” Town v. Country Life.

First prize was won in the Grade 2 and lower competition by Miss Ena Morton. Morton Mains South, whose essay based on the subject: “Which is to be preferred—a town or a country life?” was as follows: “I would much sooner live in the country than in a town because it is much freer, cleaner and healthier. There are large areas of beautiful scenery surrounded by green meadows, where tiny calves and lambs like to frisk about with their mates, and where happy children can play, yell, shout and laugh. While living in the town amongst crowds of people, much traffic, a stuffy atmosphere, and a great deal of noise becomes very monotonous. Townsfolk may start their work later in the morning and finish it earlier in the evening than their country cousins, but they are mostly undersized, weak, puny and thin, owing no doubt to their surroundings, compared with the ones living in the country who are strong, robust, sturdy specimens of manhood, because they have to work long hours in the open air. In the evening some of the townspeople play tennis and bowls, while the rest of them crowd into stuffy theatres to see the pictures. Country folks spend their time in the evenings playing tennis and cricket or going for joy rides to see Nature’s wonderland. The country school children love to be allowed out of school for a short time to play games in a green space surrounded by trees, but town children cannot play many games because their playgrouqds are too small. The country life is a harder one, but it has more fun in it than the town life. “Its all very well to write reviews, To carry a gingham and wear dry shoes, But I want free life and. I want fresh air, And I long for a canter after the cattle, The cracks of whips like shots in a battle.” Benefits of Electricity.

First prize in the secondary competition was won by Miss Jean Howe; Wyndham District High School, whose essay based on the subject: “Present and prospective benefits of electricity in country localities,” was as follows: “The changes which rural life has undergone during the past decade are numerous and varied, but perhaps the greatest advances made in country localities are those which have been made possible by the increasing use of electricity. This practically unknown power has made possible advancement and comfort which a generation ago were unthought of. What a boon the electric light has been in country districts! In towns other means of lighting could be acquired easily, but this was quite impossible in rural parts where only kerosene lamps or candles could be used. Now, with modern improvements, practically all country districts are furnished with a constant supply of this power with a result that the previous methods of lighting have been replaced by a safer, cleaner and more healthy means. In New Zealand dairying, which is one of our most important industries, has made rapid progress during the last few years and the revenue from this source is steadily increasing. There has been something which has assisted tremendously in this steady increase. It has been the introduction and increasing facilities of electricity in country life.” Electricity is now used as a power to work the milking machine, to heat the water and to light the buildings, all of which are most necessary where dairying is engaged in. Someone may ask if there is much improvement from the earlier methods. That person is not acquainted with the previous state of affairs when a less efficient and a more laborious means had to be used to generate the power required to drive the machinery, when water could be heated only by a most unreliable means, and when with poor lighting the whole process of milking both night and morning was drudgery. To-day the story is a different one when the milking-shed is quite a -pleasant place and not one of horror and dread. The problem of sufficient water supply on • the dairy farm has now been practically solved. By the installation of an electric pump over a well, water can be transferred easily to comparatively distant parts, thus increasing the value of the farm and the prosperity of the farmer. Even in this direction perfection has not yet been attained, but the years Will prove the possible benefits of electricity on the dairy farm. The sheepfarmer has not been neglected by the increased use of glectric power; he, too, has gained benefits. Would he return to the time when the sheep were shorn, by blade shears or even by an oil machine? Elecfricity has proved itself undoubtedly the best. Nor has -the housewife in country localities lacked her benefits! Although she has shared in the advantages gained by the farmer himself, still she has her personal benefits. Large numbers of houses in country districts have their cooking, heating and cleaning systems controlled by electric-

ity. What a difference from the previous systems! Labour is now saved, the methods are more healthy and more efficient, and work is made pleasant. Even the gramophone and the wireless set are now connected with this current of power. It makes one think that the climax has been reached. Now let us ’dip into the future’, for the prospective benefits of electricity. At the present time, the most remote parts of the country do not enjoy the benefits derived from electricity, but the spirit of the present generation is such that no efforts will be spared to allow these localities to share in these benefits. The day will come when everyone will be able to utilize this power to its fullest degree. In many country districts tractors are extensively used. If “charging” stations were established the driving of these by electricity as well as the driving of other motor vehicles would be made possible. It may even be that the railway trains may make use of this power for locomotion. The time is not far distant when for such as cream separators and sewing machines, manual labour will be replaced by electricity, lawn-mowers will be driven by this power, and wherever possible means will be devised to replace methods requiring manual labour. The present benefits derived from electricity were unthought of by our grandparents, and it is for us to anticipate the prospective benefits of electric power made possible by the further achievements of the future generations.”