TEMUKA FLOUR SUPPLIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23323, 5 October 1945, Page 3

TEMUKA FLOUR SUPPLIES

No Shortage Expected Next Winter District Wheat Sowings A Failure Although wheat sowings on the heavy land in the Temuka district have proved a failure owing to the excessively wet year, no credence is placed in persistent rumours that there will be a severe shortage of flour next winter. The persistence of heavy rains during the spring, coming on top of an exceptionally wet autumn and winter, have meant that farmers' plans for spring sowing of wheat in the Waitohi, Milford and Clandeboye districts have been disrupted. By the time the heavy land in these areas is dry enough to work it will be too late to sow wheat with any possibility of a successful crop, although there may be drier paddocks in which Marquis would be well worth a trial. Farmers in these districts have been hard hit and, although any figures are still only provisional, these districts will be lucky to produce a third of the wheat crop harvested in the average season. The position on the lighter and drier land north of Temuka is much brighter. Farmers in the Orton, Rangitata, Ealing and Hinds districts have been able to work their land in between the rains, and much of this country benefits by a thorough soaking during the winter months. While the yield, even in these favoured areas, is expected to be below the average, a considerable amount of wheat was sown in the autumn and many farmers have been successful with their spring sowings.

"Although practically no spring wheat has been sown in the Rangitata Island district since the snow.” said Mr F. H. Ruddenklau, “approximately the usual average season’s acreage, was sown in the autumn and winter. Had farmers been able to get on their land during the spring, there would have been double the usual quantity of wheat sown this season.’’ The anticipation of an exceptionally good yield from what wheat had been sown this season was expressed by Mr James Airay, of Orton, who said that he had never known Nature let the farmer down altogether. Altnough no definite figures could be given, Mr Airay said that the area sown in his district might be in excess of 75 per cent of an average season. It seemed likely that yields would be above the average and the total amount of wheat harvested might not be much less than usual. Asked yesterday whether he considered there was any possibility of a serious shortage of flour for consumers during the winter, a Temuka miller said that the possibility was a small one. Most millers were holding good stocks of last season’s local wheat in addition to imported Canadian wheat and Australian flour, and it was to be expected that any Dominion shortage would be met by increased imports of both wheat and flour from abroad. “There Is still time for farmers on the lighter and drier class of land to sow quick maturing varieties such as Marquis and Cross 7,” he said, “more especially as it is a wet and' backward season and the light ground is carrying a lot of moisture. This moisture is not likely to evaporate before the growing wheat completely protects the present moisture in the ground.” Work For Servicemen Since the scheme instituted by the Temuka R.S.A. for finding employment for men returned from the war was put into operation a fortnight ago, work has been found for six servicemen by the secretary (Mr G. A. Harris). Most of the applicants have been seeking casual work to fill in the period until they join a Rehabilitation Training School or obtain a permanent job. Two of the men were placed with the Geraldine County Council, and the others found work at a dairy factory, carpentering, woodcutting and with the Temuka Golf Club. Positions have been found for all applicants, and an additional two or three men could be placed on the Association's gardening scheme for war widows and wives of men still overseas. Women’s Institute Mrs F. M. Martin presided at the October meeting of the Temuka Women’s Institute. The Garden Circle held its annual spring flower show". Mrs G. A. Davey gave a talk on the culture of delphiniums and the making of pot pourri, and showed specimens of shrubs and plants from her garden. A pianoforte duet was played I, Mrs A S. Mclnnes and Mrs M. J. Fitzgerald, and vocal items were given by Mrs W. C. Wisdom and Miss Elspeth Hancox. The awards were as {pllows: Polyanthus. Mrs E. Oldfield 1, Mrs R. I. McGregor 2, Mrs M. J. Fitzgerald 3. Popnies, Mrs M. J. Fitzgerald 1, Mrs Oldfield and Miss M. Ferguson (equal! 2. Shrubs, Mrs S. B. Wightman 1, Mrs J Rooney 2. Mrs Oldfield 3. Vase of flowers, Mrs D. C. Clark 1, Mrs A. S. Mclnnes 2. Mrs J. Rooney 3. Vase of narcissi, Mrs E. Oldfield 1, Mrs R. Thompson 2, Mrs F. A. Joynt 3. Collection of narcissi, Mrs W. L. Harrison 1 and 2. Donations To Red Cross A further generous donation to Red Cross funds has been received by the chairman of the Geraldine County Red Cross Centre (Dr. F. A. Scannell) from the members of the Christian Assembly. The donation was one of £136 26. which was the result of a collection made amongst members and was handed over by Mr S. Gray, of Winchester. This is the second substantial donation made by the Assembly this year, the sum of £lOl 3 9 being collected during the annual convention at Winchester earlier in the year. Euchre Winners at a euchre party held in St. Joseph’s Hall on Wednesday evening were Mesdames M. F. Kennedy and M. Swap. Messrs F. Burke and R Thistjeton. Mystery prizes were won by Miss J. Hutcheson and Mr J Hart. Mr H. Henderson was the winner of a competition. Football Temuka seniors will play Geraldine for the Collogan Cup at Geraldine at 3 p.m to-morrow. The Temuka team will be as follows: K. O’Connor, M. Quinn. W McCullough. W Teahan. A Cross. O. Birt, D. Taylor, D. O’Reilly. A. Martin, W. Wakelyn. W. Edgeler, W Dippie. L. Goodson. L. Palmer. N. Palmer. J. Chapman, P Scott. H. Brosnahan, M O'Connor and S. Grant. Bus leaves 2 p.m. sharp. Golf The following is the draw for a medal round to be played to-morrow: Mrs McLeod V. Miss Hanifin, Mrs Mclnnes v. Miss Ferguson. Miss Gaffaney V. Mrs McShane, Miss Hill v. Mrs Watson. Mrs McGregor v. Miss Hancox. Miss Huddleston v Miss Thompson. Personal Mr W. J Tait left yesterday to spend his annual leave at Waikouaiti. Dunedin and Invercargill. Sudden Death Mr James Bristow, a war pensioner aged 56. of Gammack Street, died suddenly yesterday afternoon. He had been in failing health for some time