HOSPITAL FARM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16797, 22 July 1920, Page 6

HOSPITAL FARM.

LARGER PROPERTY REQUIRED. At the meeting of the Hospital Board on Wednesday there was some discussion. with reference to 'the farm, members having been very divided in their opinions of late; as to whether it should be disposed of or otherwise. The Farm Committee reported that, after very searching inquiry, the committee, were unanimously of the opinion that it would be a retrograde step to give up fanning operations and wore perfectly satisfied with the present management ; also that, after carefully reviewing the working account of the farm, the committee wan of tho opinion that the financial position was quite satisfactory and after a few adjustments in the different items would not disclose an alarming debit balance. Mr. J. Andrews (chairman of tho Farm Committee), in his report, referred to the difficulty of securing the necessary assistance for the . manager and in order to get over the difficulty of getting milkers suggested that a two-cow milking plant be installed. A lengthy letter was received from the farm manager (Mr. W. C. Noble), in which he dealt exhaustively with Jhe arduous duties he was called upon to perform owing to the difficulty of obtaining assistance, and making several suggestions which he felt would tend to improve the present unsatisfactory position. He stressed the point that tho present farm was not of sufficient area to supply the quantity of milk required all the year round and that the board should go into, the question of acquiring a larger farm and also»increasing the number of cows. Mr J. Young said the matter had been twice referred to the Farm Committee, the members of which were still of opinion that it would be a mistake to dispose of the farm. ; There might be matters, both at the farm ana at the hospital, that could be remedied, and thus improve the position. The farm was carrying two cow’s to the acre 1 and he could assure the board that there were very few farms in Taranaki that could do this in the winter time, or in the summer time for that matter. It was a strange thing, too, that, although there were 600 more patients in the hospital in 1919 than was the case last year, 1200 gallons more milk was required.

Mr. J. Aifdrews said tbe demands upon the farm had exceeded' its producing capacity, but he felt the board should carry on the present farm until such, time as they could dispose of it to advantage and acquire a larger property. The chairman suggested that the board should make inquiries for a suitable farm of a larger size within easy distance of town, and sell the present property, which was evidently now too small and unsuitable.

Subsequently a resolution from the chairman on these lines, and also em-’ powering the committee to find what price the present property would bring, was seconded by Mr. Gilmonr, and carried. ,

The personnel of the committee will be; The chairman and Messrs. A. H. Halcombe, G. Young, F. J.'Hill, and J. Andrews.