SALVATION ARMY VENTURE

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1930, Page 19 (Supplement)

SALVATION ARMY VENTURE

PUTARURU FARM COLONY. PURCHASE OF DAIRY HERDS. Commissioner J. Cunningham, who rej eentiy took over the command of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, has just returned to Wellington from Piitaruru, where he has been making arrangements for considerable developments on the Salvation Army farm colony there, including tlie establishment of two dairy (herds, and installing pedigree Berkshire pigs for breeding purposes. The colony at Putaruru is on pumice land, and Commissioner Cunningham is thoroughly satisfied that with the beneficent climate of New Zealand farming operations on the area be considerably extended, and believes that dairying* and general farming operations in tlie pumice country can be carried on successfully. Top-dressing, of course, was necessary, but the crops amply re 1 paid anything done in that way. | The commissioner pointed out that ■ there were two homes at Putaruru, and while visiting there he had put a small herd of pedigree Jersey cattle on one and was building up a herd of pedigree i Friesians on the other, The Jerseys were acquired in tlie Manawatu district, while a well-known breeder in the South Island had helped to provide the nucleus of a Friesian herd at a very low figure. A Salvationist had also presented . a small group of Friesians to the colony.

He was formerly an importer of Friesians and one of the best judges in New Zealand. There is a .butter factory close to the colony, which takes the cream every day, and during the next summer season it is hoped to milk 150 cows. Some pedigree Berkshire sows * and boars have also been purchased, and it is intended to develop this branch for breeding and for the local market. Similar work is being carried on at Eltham, Wallaceville and Tennika. Last week first and second prizes for Berkshire pigs were secured at Temuka, and the Putaruru colonv gained three first prizes for .farm products at Rotorua winter show. Commissioner Cunningham is ft' practical farmer of many years’ experience in England and .Africa, and was largely responsible for the development of the 3000-acre farm in Rhodesia which was a gift of . the late Cecil Rhodes.