BANQUET AT TAKAKA.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13020, 8 February 1911, Page 6 (Supplement)

BANQUET AT TAKAKA.

On Wednesday evening the committoo «f the Golden Bay A. and P. Association hold a banquet at Hook's Hall, Takaka, in honour of the visit of the Hon. I). Buddo, Minister of Internal Affairs, who opened the animal show. Mr Alex. Haldane presided. - 11l responding to the toast of "The Ministry," Mr Buddo expressed gratification with his visit. He thought it was not generally known that such a pleasant deviation could be made from the journey to the West Coast by driving over the Takaka hills. Speaking 01 tlie show, Mr Buddo said that lie had not expected such a treat. He had never seen better specimens of garden produce. The vegetables and fruit were really excellent, while the l)i cad and cakes were much above the average quality. Dairy cattle and fat lambs stood out conspicuous features of the show; the grade cows were a splendid class, and reflected credit on the farmers who selected them. As to sheep, Mr Buddo remarked that it was not so much a question of breed, as of what suited the farm—not less than 50 per cent of the breeding went down the sheep's throat. He was very hopeful that an even, payable price was assured for meat sent to the Continent. He had observed that Takaka was well suited for the production of rape and turnips. It was a district of small farmers, except back on the hills, and the trend of the Government's work had been to assist small farming. During the past nine months over 400,000 acres had been settled by 1500 settlers. Advances to settlers and local bodies were important factors in the development of any country, and had received the. attention of the Government. Mr Buddo complimented the Association on the manner in which the show had been conducted, and resumed his seat amidst applause. Telegrams were read from the Hons. R. McKe.nzic and T. Mackenzie wishing the Association success, and the health of the absent Ministers was enthusiastically honoured.