SERVICE RECOGNISED

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1934, Page 2

SERVICE RECOGNISED

FAREWELL TO MR. J. M. SMITH. TRIBUTE FROM URENUI FARMERS. Further evidence of the esteem in which Mr. J. M. Smith is held throughout North Taranaki and the hold that he has gained in the regard of the farming community during his nine years in Taranaki was evidenced at the field day at Urenui yesterday, when a presentation was made. Mr. Smith had rendered very valuable service to the Urenui branch of the Farmers’ Union, which had made full use of his services, particularly in connection with the competitions, which started earlier in the Inglewood district, remarked the president, Mr. J. F. Phillips. The competitions had grown in the district until last year they reached over 100 entries. That entailed much travelling. but Mr. Smith had cheerfully undertaken it. In his judging he held the goodwill of the competitors, there having been no complaints. As a slight recognition of his services Mr. Phillips on behalf of the branch presented Mr. Smith with a case of pipes. Mr. W. J. Freeth said the members of the branch fully appreciated the wonderful spirit that Mr. Smith had imbued in - the competitors and in his lectures. The work must have entailed a good deal of self-sacrifice on the part of both Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They must consider themselves lucky in having for so Long had the privilege of working under him. Mr. Freeth suggested that with Mr. Smith’s experience in the Stratford and Waimate West demonstration farms he should be a valuable man if given an administrative position in connection with any organisation set up to assist the farmers. Mr. D. Le Cren Morgan, provincial secretary of the Farmers’ Union, expressed appreciation of Mr. Smith’s services on behalf of the farmers of the North Taranaki district. As a good deal of the work was done in conjunction with the Farmers’ Union he realised perhaps more than anyone the amount of work that Mr. Smith had done and how unsparing he was of his time in their interests, travelling many miles after a solid day’s work to give lectures. Mr. D. L. Tate, secretary of the Urenui branch, also paid tribute and expressed regret at the necessity for breaking up the strong combination between Messrs. Morgan and Smith which had done so much for the farmers.

Mr. H. S. Sampson, president of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, expressed regret at the loss of Mr. Smith, who since his arrival in Taranaki had taken a great interest in its affairs. He had run the Katere area very successfully, and, thanks to his work in improving the pasture and that of Mr. Wilson in looking after the sheep on Katere and the showgrounds, the profit made from the sheep had proved the one bright spot on the balance-sheet. Though tjie farmers previously have not said too much for fear of losing him, they all realised that Mr. Smith had done wonderful work and was entitled to great praise. Mr. Smith said that it was hard to express his feelings. It was certainly a great wrench to leave Taranaki and his many friends there. He had been stationed in many districts, but he had never enjoyed the work more than in North Taranaki, where he had experienced such hospitality and the co-opera-tion of the farmers and business men. If his work in Taranaki had been the success that they all stated, then he must attribute it to the splendid team work, as no one could have achieved any success worth while without the co-operation of all concerned. He thanked the office-bearers of the Farmers’ Union and particularly the presidents and secretaries of the branches for their splendid co-operation, and the farmers. The Agricultural Society had also assisted at all times.

His experiences in' connection with the Katere area and the Stratford and Waimate West farmers had given him valuable knowledge for his instructional work as it had enabled him to realise the pasture, stock and financial troubles that the farmers had to deal with. It had not only made him more sympathetic but had made him realise that any advice must be of a practical nature. He thanked them for their presentation, though he needed nothing tangible to remind him of a district where he had always met such lavish hospitality, for which he thanked the womenfolk.