EXPERIMENTAL FARMING

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1932, Page 10

EXPERIMENTAL FARMING

GRASS AREAS REVIVING

PASPALUM TO BE TRIED. The Waimate West Experimental Earm Committee met yesterday, when there were present Messrs. J. M. Smith (chairman), T. A- Bridge, J. Leslie, S. H L® Fleming, E. J- Betts, A, Gamlin, F.’ Mourie, J. S- McKay and H. H. BuxThe report stated that the pastures had become as low as was possible owin<r to the continuous dry weather, but the week of rain which commenced on April 5 did much to revive the growth. 4t present the pasture was looking but with relatively little growth yet. Given a few weeks’ warm weather there should be fair feed, but it appeared as if the best of the warm weather had gone. A start had been made with the cultivation of the old lucerne areas, following which oats would be drilled through. Tire young lucerne was being given two light strokes with the spring-toothed cultivator. The rye strain plots and the small corner area had been ploughed preparatory to sowing in oats. Fifty-two cows were being milked twice daily, the milk taken that day beincr 4101 b. at a s.4,test. The fat for February was 14011 b., compared with 14261 b. last February. The total for the season to the end of February was 13,8311 b. of fat, compared with 12,503 lb.’ for the corresponding period last year. The herd was getting one load of ensilage per day, last year’s reserve of fodder still being worked , on. Seven cows and four heifers were disposed of. Two sows farrowed during the month, one having eight and one seven. The chairman suggested .that more provision should be made for. autumn feed as. the seasons were becoming drier each year. Mr. Mourie urged that paspalum should be kept out. Mr. Lomr said the farm was for experimental 0 purposes and he considered it would be useful to try paspalum. Mr. McKay: You would.be glad to see it out after you have finished.. Mr. Betts also opposed the introduction of paspalum. . Mr. Long: We are experimentalists and we might show that it is no good. Mr. Mourie: It is all right in North Taranaki. It was decided to try planting one acre in paspalum.

HOCKEY HEADS IN TROUBLE.

THE RULES AND PRECEDENTS.

For over an hour and a half the annual meeting of the Taranaki Hockey Association floundered among sections of its constitution at Eltham on Wednesday night. The chairman at the time, Mr. C. J. McFadyen, decided at one stage to abide strictly by the rules, but so many precedents had been set in the past few years that he found this impossible to do if the strongest and most desirable management committee were to be given office for the ensuing year. There was no warning of impending difficulties until a quietly worded notice of motion to the effect, that the management committee be increased to allow for one member from each club came before the meeting.. The validity of the notice was questioned at o.nce. After some discussion it was decided ■that it was not in order, different delegates quoting their authorities in swift succession. The election of the five management committee members, as in 193'1, was about to proceed when the attention of the meeting was drawn to the fact that the association had been out of order for a whole year. The rules provided for only four members, with the president and the secretary. Several motions and amendments followed, but it seemed as if the meeting ■yvas at a dead-lock until one man stood up. "We have been out of order for a year, and that year was quite a successful one,” he said. "As far as I can see we did not suffer in any way. Perhaps, Mr. Chairman, we could stay out of order for another year?” Eventually the rule was waived and it was decided to increase the membership of the committee to seven. Nominations followed, but the chairman drew attention to the fact that most of th pm were not delegates to the meeting and that, according to the rules, only delegates could be accepted. “Oh, we’ve broken one,” said a cheerful person. “Let’s break as many as we want to. Personally I think that it would be in the best interests of hockey if we were to allow each affiliated club a member on the management committee. It ymuld stimulate “Order! Order!” cried the chairman. “If you go on like this we’ll be back where we started from. I rule that only club delegates be eligible for nomination.”

Once more the. meeting listened to the intimation that this was another rule that had been overlooked in. the past, and finally a strong committee was arranged.

AMATEUR ATHLETES CONFER.

PATEA ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Mr. W. H. Rook presided over a representative attendance of members at a meeting of the Patea Amateur Athletic Association held on Tuesday.

The secretary reported that the electric light sports receipts were £24 7s 6d, whilst the expenses totalled £32 3s 4d. Though the returns might have been better it was felt that as the sports were a new venture the result was satisfactory. Appreciation of the work of the engineer and staff in illuminating the domain was recorded. Discussion as to the practicability of holding cycle races took place, it being resolved to start winter racing on May 28, a detailed programme to be prepared later. It was hoped that the Herbert Smith Trust might assist with trophies for these events.

OPERA HOUSE, TO-NIGHT.

“THE RULING VOICE” FINALLY.

The appalling fact that children are not safe from the atrocities ■of lawbreakers is forcibly brought out in “The Ruling Voice,” the First National picture featuring Walter Huston, at the Hawera Opera House finally to-night. The gentlybred daughter of the milk racket czar is caught in the toils of his nefarious business, as well as the child of the woman who tries to protect the girl when she has left her father’s home. The strong east includes Loretta Young, Doris Kenyon, David Manners, John Halliday, Dudley Digges, Gilbert Emery, Willard Robertson and the child actor, Douglas Scott. Beginning to-morrow with a matinee at 2 p.m. and for a season of three nights, Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell will appear in “Merely Mary Ann.” Reserves are at Miss Blake’s.