FIELD COMPETITIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1935, Page 7

FIELD COMPETITIONS

PRIZE AWARDS AT TONGAPORUTU. SUCCESFUL COMBINED SOCIAL. The spirit of co-operation that exists in the Okau-Ahititi-Tongaporutu district and the interest taken by settlers in the activities of the local branches of the Farmers’ Union and Women’s Division was strikingly shown on Wednesday night by the large attendance .at the social in the Tongaporutu hall organised by the union and division to celebrate the presentation of the Refresher Cup and certificates awarded to the successful farmers in the first field competition to be held in the district. Practically every home in the combined districts was represented. Among the visitors present were Mr. H. E. Blyde (North Taranaki provincial president), and Mrs. Blyde and Mr. A. G. Elliott (of the Agricultural Department, chairman of the competitions committee and judge), and Mrs. Elliott.

The hall presented a gay appearance, the decorations of greenery and streamers from the basketball club’s ball being brightened with spring flowers. Dancing formed the principal amusement, music being played by Miss E. O’Sullivan, while Mesdames J. Beattie (Mokau), W. D. Cannell and R. Eva played extras. Community singing led by Mr. Blyde, and anecdotes added to the enjoyment. Songs were sung by Miss F. Horsup, Mesdames A. Hamlin and McCauley, and Mr. F. Tombleson. Miss E. O’Sullivan played all the accompaniments. Messrs. J. Howell and B. Calvert was masters of ceremonies.

Supper, which was dispensed by members of the Women’s Division, comprising Mesdames F. Calvert (president), H. Lewis, J. Jimmieson, F. O’Sullivan, J. J. Chapman, T. Shepherd, A. Peterson and E. O’Sullivan (secretary). Non-dancers were catered for by progressive euchre, which was supervised by Mrs. J. Brown. The prizewinners were Mrs. A. K. Collins and Mr. E. A. Shaw, the latter having to play off with Mr. W. Blanchard. Mr. R. Gibbs, president of the branch, expressed appreciation at the support that had been accorded the gathering by residents of the district and thanked all who contributed to its success, particularly mentoning the Women’s Division. He expressed gratification that the branch had entered the competitions and hoped that each year would see the entries increase and that the district would also take part in the pasture competitions. Mr. Elliott expressed appreciation of the splendid spadework of the president and secretary which had resulted in the district entering the competitions, the value of which he stressed particularly from the educational standpoint. It was not so much a question of how many points the entry was awarded at the judging, but the value of the competitions was in the fact that in following the judging a farmer could see for himself the best hay, ensilage or crops, and could ascertain how such results were arrived at. Mr. Elliott congratulated the district on the standard of its. entries, all of which, considering that it was the first time the district had competed, were a credit, the winning ensilage stack being only 2£ points below the champion. He congratulated all the competitors and urged the farmers to enter in the pasture competition. He presented the certificates.

One could see definite progress that had been made in districts where the competitions had been enthusiastically taken up, remarked Mr. Blyde, in presenting the Refresher Cup to Mr. J. Jimmieson. They must gain something from the competitions for even if they secured low marks they could learn on the judging day, while the competitions also provided a spur to future efforts. Farmers had been asking for assistance and rightly so to tide them through the difficult period, and it was therefore their duty to make themselves as efficient as possible to show that they were deserving of that assistance. They should get away from the inferiority complex. Wherever the competitors had been taken up the farmers had shown that they could farm as well as in other districts that had taken up the competitions previously. That applied whether the land was of high quality or not. From the results of their first attempt in the competitions, he felt that if the matter was taken up seriously by the farmers as a whole, it would not be long before the district annexed a North Taranaki championship, and that was certainly an honour to achieve, as the championship standard was nearl. perfection. He spoke appreciatively of the sporting spirit that actuated entrants, their main object being to gain useful information.

The awards were:— Stack ensilage: J. Jimmieson 92pts. 1 and Refresher Cup; G. W. Stratton 90pts, 2; J. J. Chapman 89pts, 3. Hay: H. E. Collins 881pts. 1. Mr. Jimmieson paid a tribute to the enthusiasm of those who had organised the competitions in the district, and he looked forward with confidence. to the entries showing a considerable increase each year. The social was so enjoyable and so successful that it is practically certain to be made an annual event. The organisation was distinctly creditable to the executive of the Farmers Union, comprising Messrs. R. Gibbs (president), W. D. Cannell, J. Gibbs, P. George, G. Stratton, H. E. Collins, F. Calvert, S. Kerrisk and J. B. Carr (secretary).