Valedictory.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 79, 24 July 1914, Page 5

Valedictory.

Mr S. M. Poritt proposed "The Dairy Industry." In response, Mr R. Dingle said that at present the export of dairy products was about £4,000,000, but the average of butter fat for each cow in the Dominion was only 1501 b. It would bo quite possible to double the present export. Mr Brown had been very careful with his herd, and the beasts he had kept and his test at the factory were a credit to him. Mr Brown had shown what everybody could do in the matter by improving the quality of herds. Mr Brown had been ['arming on 34 acres for the past two years. Four acres were bush, so that only thirty' acres was available for grazing. " But he took £240 off the land —£B per acre. In New Zealand 1,680,000 acres of land were used foi dairying, and if each acre could be made to produce £8 the total export would be in the vicinity of £13,000,00U. If Mr Brown could produce £8 an acreanybody else could do it. He believed in small holdings—he thought sixty to eighty acres was ample for a dairy farm. To young farmers he would tender the advice to stick to their land and improve their holdings. If their section was too big they should sell half, but they should stick to enough to make their living. They should not sell out in the hope of doing better in some other line. He and Mr .Brown had always got on well to--gether. Air Brown was going to the land of crickets and grasshoppers, but those who* went north snould know that they could not hope to make so much per acre there as in Taranaki. Mr Yickerman (Casein Company, Wanganui) said the industry was founded on bluff. The cow had been bluffed out of giving only enough milk for one calf into remaining in milk for eight months and the calf had also been bluffed —he expected whole milk, but only got skim milky and (latterly) casein whey. (Laughter). The speaker's father had taken two thousand acres before the days of refrigeration, but had thought he could not properly educate his children on his earnings and had sold out; but that land to-day was worth £6O an acre. The productiveness of land would increase as the price increased. As the price went up there would be more necessity for working the land to the best (advantage. As the price went up Mr Dingle's ideal of small holdings would be realised—the price wonld keep the settler from holding too big an area. There was no question that margarine was a serious competitor of butter, but the cost of manufacture Would increase, and so long as the quality of butter was kept up the market would be quite safe. As one'of Mr Brown's m'6re recent friends he could say that if the younger generation in the evening 'of their days could look round on such a gathering as that night's they could feel proud. He concluded by stating that Mr Brown had obviously been born under a wrong name—his name should not have been Brown, but White, and All-White at that. (Laughter and applause). At this point Mr Harkness presented to the guest of the evening an Address beautifully illuminated by Mr J.. McAllister and signed by a largo number of Midhirst residents, and on behalf of Mrs Brown a piece of silverware. Mr Brown said that without the presents he would never have forgotten his Midhirst friends. He extended an invitation to all Midhirst friends to visit him in his new home. Cr. J. Thomson (Stratford County Council) proposed "Local Bodies." He said that in the early days the Council was hard up for money, but they did the best they could with the money iat their disposal. To keep the roads J going he was afraid it would be necessary to erect toll-gates. He was not in favor of toll-gates, but believed in the users of the road helping the settlers to keep the road in order. The first time he had seen Mr Brown he was working hard felling bush on Skeet Road. Cr. W. Hathaway (chairman of the Stratford County Council) said the dairy industry relied greatly on the local bodies to make roads to give access. The cost of upkeep of the Mountain Road was going up and it would be necessary to take some steps. There were live courses open. To let the road go back; to pay more rates; to bring pressure on tho Government to get equitable treatment in the matter of subsidy • on rates; to erect tollgates ; or (if toll-gates were decided against) to raise a loan. One of these courses must be followed. Jf a loan was raised to improve the road, it wonld lie necessary to raise about £2G,000. which at first sight might appear somewhat large. The Mountain Road should be widened by four feet on each side and tarred. Otherwise they would nevei 1 have a good road. The Eltham County engineer said that the annual upkeep of tarred roads was only £2O per mile. It would not be right to strike a general rate over the whole Riding for the work on the main road there wore some ratepayers in the Riding who bad not a va/d of metal on their roads. .Mr Baskin (.Midhirst Cemetery Board) also responded. He said that Mr Brown, was the best chairman the company had ever had. .Mr l\ Pcdersen proposed "The A. .and P. Association." There had been a struggle to inaugurate the Stratford A. and P. Association, but with good management and hard work the slioav had been made the best in the North Island with the exception of the Palmerston Show. Farmers should senc their stock to the show. It would hel] the show and would tend to improve the breed of cattle. Dairymen shoulc make a point of keeping some particular breed. In Taranaki the Jerseys seemed the prinicpal breed. Mr Brown was one of the first to go in for Jerseys, and when he (the speaker) sau how he succeeded he decided to alsc ' go in for Jerseys, and ho now flattered

himself that he had a .good herd. It was within the power of every farmer to build up a herd and once a man started breeding on good lines he "would never give it up. Mr E. Jackson (president of thfl Stratford A. and P. Association) said that four years ago it was "thought the Association might be a failure, but H had grown like a mushroom; and had over 900 members. A great deal of the success of the Association was due to the loyal support given by the farmers in the district. An agricultural show not only helped to advertise the province, but through the competition helped in no small degree to improve 'the breed of cattle. There were 2300 exhibits at last year's show and present' at the show numbered ten thousand. At the Stratford show there was an exhibit of cattle .which would be a credit to any show. It would be a good thing if each of the nine hundred members secured another member, when the Association would have the largest membership of any Association in New Zealand. A' Taraualu farmer who had moved to Waikato had written back that in dairying methods and in .running the ,show lie could not see that Taranaki farmers had anything to learn. Mr Jackson concluded by wishing long life and happiness to Mr and Mrs Brown. The Association was sorry one of its best members was leaving the province. but he hoped Mr Brown would still remain a member of the Association.

Mi- W, A. Hewitt said he had -not had a great deal to do with the affairs of fche Association, but the show was a credit to the district and farmers should increase their interest in it in order to make it the hesfc show in the country. He believed that at the Stratford show there were better cattle and a better selection than at some of the bigger shows. The running of the Association was a difficult matter, and the executive needed all possible support from members. A great deal of credit was due to Mr Dingle, tho first president of the Association. Mr dr. Sangster proposed "Education." While the country's education system was an excellent one it hact defects. One of these was the favoring of towns in respect of the higher education. Owing to this many people who desired to live in fche country were forced to live in towns. Mr E. Masters, in response, said ho was glad to be present to do honor to one of Taranaki's best citizens. Younger men could very well.take Mr Brown as an example in public life. During his residence in the district Mr Brown had done Ins best for all local bodies, and especially the school committee. There was an Education Bill before the House but personally he did not think the Taranaki education district would be wiped out. In the past there had been a cry that capitation paid to committees was not sufficient, but fche new Bill allowed for increased capitation and for the payment of subsidy on voluntary contributions to secondary schools as well as primary schools. Mr W. Mountford also replied. Ho said they wanted more practical education, and there should be an experimental farm in 'the district. Mr W. H. Young proposed "The Ladies," and paid a tribute to the wives and sisters who had done their share of the pioneering work. Dr Paget responded. Ho said MiBrown was going to a milder climate on his advice. This was necessary, as a result of a breakdown in health resulting from Mr Brown's strenuous labours. Mr White proposed "The Press." Dr. Paget proposed 'The Chairman," Mr Harkness suitably responding. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Cookson, F. Huse, N .P. Dunlop and Kane, recitations by Messrs W. H. Hawkins and E. Jackson, and an "item" by Mr Hodge.

MR A. BROWN HONORED. MIDHIRST'S FINE TRIBUTE. The two long tables in the Midhirst Hall were well filled last night on the occasion of the complimentary banquet tendered to Mr Alex Brown, who after a long period of residence in the Midhirst district has decided to move to a more genial climate. There were a good number of visitors from Stratford and the proceedings were highly enjoyable and enthusiastic, the tone of the various speakers proving that the gathering was far from being an empty compliment. The chair was occupied by Mr Percy Harkness. Apologies for absence were read from Messrs N. Fulton,' W. M. Bayly, W. G. Malone, J. Hignett, L. Riera, H. Watson, J. Jago, and P. Budd. After the toast of the King had been honored the chairman proposed the toast of the guest of the evening. He said fc'hey had gathered to show their esteem for Mr Brown, and it was felt that it would not be right to let Mr Brown go away without giving some recognition of his services to the district. Mr Brown was well known in the district. He was a fearless man and always said what he thought was right and stuck to it. Generally he came out right. He (the speaker) had known Mr Brown for about twenty years, the first time he met him being when he was managing a creamery for Honor and Crockett. Since then Mr Brown had worked for the Midhirst Co-operative Company and had sat on the directorate. He had been chairman of directors for some years, and nobody deserved greater credit than he for the present good position of the company. Mr Brown had also been a member of that great body, the Stratford County Council. (Laughter). He had also had a seat on the Licensing Committee. Mr Brown had also served on the body which got more kicks than ha'pence, the school committee. Wherever he went the district would be enriched. He. was a man who could do anything, and anything he put his hand to he would pull through. He (the speaker) could not say why Mr Brown was leaving Taranaki for the land of scoria—perhaps it was because of the climate. He hoped that Mr Brown would long remember his old Midhirst friends. Mr A. W. Reid said he had known Mr Brown for a good many years and had never heard anything but good of him. Taranaki was losing a good man in Mr Brown. He was sure all present would wish him well wherever he went.

Mr S. M. Porritfc said lie had had the pleasure of being connected with Mr Brown for twenty-two years. Men of the stamp of Mr Brown were worthy of all honor.

}\Mrl W. Hathaway said Mr Brown was a man in a thousand—he, was straight and fearless. It was about twenty-six years since he and Mr Brown had sat together on the directorate of the packing company. There were about thirty farmers who took their butter to the company twice a week. The process of manufacture was, of course, very different then. In those days they got 7£d a pound for butter, but he doubted if to-day they enjoyed themselves any better. Mr Brown always said what he thought was right—he proved that when he.was on the County Council. Mr Hathaway concluded by expressing the hope that in future Mr Brown would enjoy better health than he had of late. Mr W. Mountford also spoke, stating that his connection with Mr Brown extended over about fifteen years.

Mr F. Keightley said the packing company was started in 1888. Before that there was an attempt to form a milk company in Stratford, but the matter, which /was brought up by Messrs W. Tisch and J. Were, was not supported. After the packing company, a proprietary company started operations. The present company, ; he thought, would still continue to grow, and prices would be maintained.

Mr Pedersen said that as a private citizen they had always found Mr Brown straight and upright and it was these qualities which would make him popular among his fellow-settlers wherever he went. The better Mr Brown was known the better he was liked. When a man like him left a district lit was a severe loss. Mr Brown was heartily applauded on rising to respond. He. said that although he knew the chairman was la Scotchman, his remarks had made him think he had kissed the Blarney [stone. Really, ho (the speaker) could not accept all Mr Harkness' compliments, but knowing bim to be an excellent citizen, he presumed that Mr Harkness had made an error of judgment in estimating his (the speaker's) character. It was nearly thirty-eight years since he had been dumped on the New Plymouth beach from a surfboat, being then about twenty-one years old. He wandered towards New Plymouth, and while looking for it walked through it. New Plymouth residents had to be complimented on the manner in which the port had since been improved. He first came to Midhirst when working with a railway contractor, at a time when a train ran to Inglewood twice a week whether it was wanted or not. (Laughter). At that time Stratford was no further advanced than being felled. He was impressed with the Midhirst district. His people had settled in the backblocks in the Auckland province and he had had to do a lot of packing in of goods —he got his fill of it. And he decijded that if he took land he would "take a front seat"—near the rail!way. He took up land at Waipuku. It was not farming in those days. Selling butter at 4d, picking fungus

from trees and selling in-calf heifers at 17s 6d did not suggest a very fine future. He spoke of these things to show younger men what conditions the pioneers had to contend with. Today they heard grumbles about the price of other things;, but if he had nothing to his name but a shirt and a pair of pants he would much rather be in that condition to-day than when he first came to the district. In the early days there were good men in the district—Messrs 0. V. Stead, J. B. McGregor and others—and he doubted if 'the district would ever see their like again. He believed he was one of the first suppliers to Honor and Crockett. Later he had been appointed manager of a creamery. That was before the day of the test and he was afraid that some of the farmers worked harder on the pump than on the cow, and the large amount of milk the company received in proportion to the amount of butter produced put the company in difficulties. He said to his brother at the time that this was the best thing possible for the settlers, as it would drive them into co-operation, and they should have been on' a co-operative basis years before. Personally he did everything possible to keep the factory going. When the new company was set up he had been appointed to act for the farmers to look after their interests in the taking over of the property, and as he was a close friend of Mr Honor's it showed that he had won the respect of the farmers. Just about that time somebody thought he shohld be on the County Councilwhy, he did not know. The fighfc he put up was one of the hardest on rejcord. Mr Darcy Hamilton was against him, and he was a tough proposition for a young man to tackle. But he had won. The Council in those days was not a very dignified body, and in addition to the knowledge he had picked up at the meetings he, had also pick~ ed up some fleas. (Laughter). He had been returned again and again and everybody knew the good or ill he had done while on the Council. He was elected to the directorate of the Dairy Company and for eleven years he had been chairman. He was very proud of the factory,.though he did not de* sire to take all the credit for its good position. He had worked hard for the company and had not spared himself, with an eye, however, to the main chance. (Laughter). The factory owed its success to a few figures. Among these was Mr Joseph G. Harkness, father of the chairman of the gathering. Mr Harkness was a fine man for the factory and a hard man to run up against. Then there was Mr J. B. Veal, as good a man as there was in the dairy industry to-day. Ho was the first manager and secretary, and after he and Mr Harkness had finished with the company it was easy work for those who followed them. He and 1 Mr Ridd had not always agreed about things, though as they went on they agreed better. Mr S. M. Porritt had; also been a valuable man on the directorate, though it appeared to the speaker that he and Mr Porritt were more often than not in disagreement. To ; him (the speaker) the Company was |in the nature of a child. He was pre- | sent at the birth and since then had been nursing it. He was pnmd of 'the company and any shareholders who could produce a better balance-sheet 'than the last Midhirst one had good reason to flatter themselves. (Applause). Last year when in England he had gone into the question of margarine competition. Some thought

margarine only competed with second-

class butter, but the fact was that it competed with the best butters. The only thing for New Zealand farmers to do was to keep up the quality.

Otherwise they would go to the wall. Suppliers and directors would hare to

co-operate in order to improve the] quality of the butter. He was pleas-1 ed to see such a fine gathering of old friends and new, and he was grateful for the goodwill expressed towards j himself and family. He could claim that in all public and private affairs he had acted honestly and done his best. The expressions of goodwill were all the more welcome because some came from those who were opposed to him politically. He had always spoken his mind on all occasions, but he never bore anybody a grudge because of politics. That night's gathering had been arranged by those opposed to him in general politics and even in local politics, (Applause).