TARATAHI TRAINING FARM

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 30 May 1919, Page 5

TARATAHI TRAINING FARM

PREPARING FOR OPERATIONS; Tlie members of the Parliamentary Industries Committee visited the Soldiers! Training Farm at Taratahi on Monday afternoon, and were shown over it by Mr. William Perry, chairman of tho Board of Control. Tho farm consists of over 700 acres, and adjoins “Penrose.” The land wad partmily given by Mr. Perry, and parliallj' paid for by private subscriptions. has given £9OOO for the buildings, and the Wairayapa Patriotic Association has given £12,000 worth of 'debentures to assist the project. Stock is being given by settlors, and already some are running on the farm. A start has been made with" the erection of the foreman’s cottage. This is to be situated on a high elevation, overlooking a flat. Further to the north will be the manager’s residence. The living apartments for the soldiers will be situated near the foreman’s cottage. These will accommodate, for a start, 30 soldiers, who will bo taught ■‘'every branch of agriculture. The water for, use in tho buildings will Tjje supplied bv a windmill. 1

Mr. Perry explained that it was pro-, posed to teach the soldiers how to Handle sheep and cattle. There would also be a vegetable garden and fruit orchard. Poultry-raising and bee-keep-ing would probably be adjuncts. Cows, would bo kept, and the milk delivered to an adjoining dairy. Wheat, oats and other cereals would be grown, and root crops would be cultivated. In fact, a practical education would be given in every branch of agricultural and pastoral work. A road lias already been formed and metalled through the farm, and stables have boon erected, with outbuildings. A number of draught horses of a good stamp aro in the stables. It is hoped that in the course of a few months everything will be in full swing. When the education of soldiers has been completed, the idea, is that the farm will be converted into an agricultural school for settlors’ sons and others.