PIG DEMONSTRATION

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 8

PIG DEMONSTRATION

IDEAS ON BREEDING AND FEEDING HINTS FOR NGAERE FARMERS. Though unsettled weather and the fact that farmers are busy at present adversely affected the attendance at the pig demonstration day at Ngaere on Thursday, about 35 farmers attended, including Messrs. A. O’Sullivan (Cardiff), J. Burgham (Pukengahu), and M. Lepper (Midhirst), prominent breeders of their distracts. The demonstration was organised by the Ngaere branch of the Farmers’ Union and the venue was Mr. H. C. Taylor's Rosanagh Piggeries at Ngaere. Mr. W. Grant, New Plymouth, a well-known judge and demonstrator, conducted the demonstration.

Mr. Grant used a Large White maiden sow of particularly good type to illustrate his points, but he dealt to a great extent with pigs generally rather than with any special breed. He said there were three main points to watch in breeding—constitution and type, corrrect feeding and good housing. All contributed to the production of a first-class pig from weaner to baconer. The disadvantage of over-feeding was stressed and farmers were urged to maintain balanced rations. A pig could be given too much of anything and for best results the animal should be kept a shade hungry rather than fed constantly to repletion. Much attention had to be paid to breeding sows as they were the mainstay in producing healthy Pigs. Cod liver oil, Mr. Grant continued, was a good medicine for all classes of pigs if grown in moderation and could easily be administered through the food. Bran was of great benefit to a breeding sow if fed before and after flavouring. The type of food should never be changed too suddenly and Mr. Grant preferred the sty for finishing porkers and baconers for in that way they could be brought away more quickly than they could on the grass paddock system. Having explained the points to strive for and to avoid in : pigs,. Mr. Grant answered a series of questions based on his address. Mr. Taylor showed visitors round the piggeries and the large number of young pigs in the farrowing pens was remarked as an indication of what could be done by care and good management. Afternoon tea was. given the visitors by Mrs. Taylor, thanks being returned by the secretary, of ..the. branch, Mr.' A. E. Slattery. The president, Mr. L. C. Harrison, acknowledged Mr. Grant’s consenting to demonstrate and: Mr. Taylor’s placing of. the piggeries at the disposal of the branch. PUKENGAHU FAMILY LEAVES. EUCHRE, DANCE AND FAREWELL. * The Pukengahu hall was the scene of a large gathering on Tuesday night for a euchre party and dance held by the women’s division of the Farmers’ Union, combined with a farewell to Mr. and Mrs. R. Irwin and family. The euchre prize-winners were: Mr. A. Dennis 1, Mr. Heravel 2, Mrs. McQuiness 1, Mrs. Coplestone 2. At the conclusion of the euchre supper was served by the members of the Women’s Division. The floor was then cleared and opportunity was taken by Mr. Harper to address the company. He remarked on the popularity of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, both of whom had lived at Pukengahu for many years, and upon Mr. Irwin’s valuable co-operation in enabling the district to get the hall built some years ago. Mr. Harper then called Mrs, McGuiness to present to Mr. and Mrs. Irwin a down quilt from the residents of the district. Mr. Irwin suitably replied. Mrs. Harris on behalf of her fellow members of the Women’s Division asked Mrs. Irwin to accept a “humpty” made by the members of the division, as a token of the esteem in which she was held. Mrs. Irwin thanked the members for their good wishes and gift. Novelty items were won as follows: Monte Carlo, Miss J. Moore and Mr. ,P. Rowe; mystery train dance, Miss M. Rae and Mr. Jemieson. Music was played by Coleman’s orchestra. Miss M. Kerr, who was the guest of Mrs. E. Haybittie, has returned to Eltham. FARMERS AT EUCHRE. CHALLENGE TOURNEY AT KAPONGA A challenge euchre tourney , took place at the Parish Hall, Kaponga, on Wednesday between members of the Awatuna and Kaponga branches of the Farmers’ Union. There was a large attendance, the president, Mr. R. D. Dagg, welcoming the Awatuna visitors. The euchre prizes for the evening were won by Mr. R. G. Smith (men) and Mrs. L. Rountree (women). The points in the euchre tourney were worked on each player’s aver.ige owing to more Kaponga players being present; the outcome of the tourney was that Kaponga players averaged 13 points and Awatuna players 12. After supper dancing was arranged to music by Mrs. I. E. Evans. Mr. R. D. Dagg was master of ceremonies. The women's supper committee comprised Mesdames Gordge, Dagg, Snowdeni.and J. Brown.

ELTHAM TALKIES. “LIVES OF A BENGAL LANCER.” “Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” showing at the Eltham Theatre to-night, is a picture in a thousand. Its likeness to the Yeats Brown novel is a slender one, but that matters not a bit, for the story stands firmly on its feet as thrilling entertainment, brilliantly produced. The perils which constantly beset the soldier on the Indian frontier run dramatically through the story, and the audience is kept on tip-toe excitement. With the grey mountains of the frontier as its background, the patterned romance of India for its colour, the life of the 41st. regiment of the Bengal Lancers for its story, this remarkable story is Kipling’s India alive again for the youth of to-day. No better cast could have been chosen. Gary Cooper and Franchot Tone have fitting roles as two officers seasoned in warfare., Richard Cromwell has a prominent part as a young tyro who gets into trouble, and C. Aubrey Smith brightens the picture as the helpful major. From rapid-fire action, the story comes to a dramatic climax when the Lancers charge the enemies against hopeless odds, and are saved by the heroic efforts of the three young officers.