In the Dominion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 242, 12 October 1928, Page 8

In the Dominion

PEW GOOD PASTURES “I have seen very few good pastures in Canterbury.” said Mr R. Lindsay Robb, English grasslands export, in tfie course of a lecture at Lincoln College “Much of it is due to bad grazing. No plant —not even a weed —will stand against close grazing continually. I have seen some second and third year pastures in the district which arc in a mess. All the best grasses ’ ave been killed out of them by persistent graz--ing. All this could bo altered by the adoption of rotational methods.” THE NEW ZEALAND WAY i“I shall never forget my arrival in New Zealand,” said one of the speakers (a well-known Auckland business man) at the farewell luncheon which was tendered to Captain Jackson on board the lonic. He went on to relate the adventure which befell him after he had landed from the old steamship lonic, the predecessor of the skipper’s present command. This was way back in 1886. He travelled by horse coach to Foxton, and on arrival at his destination gave instructions for his trunk to be removed. “Shift the yourself” answered the sturdy New Zealander. “I did it myself,’’ said the speaker, “and I soon realised that I would have to do things for myself in this country. I have gone on doing things for myself, and that is probably why I am here today.” IDEAL FOR DAIRY FARMING “If 1 were going dairy-farming New Zealand would be the first place where I would start,” said Mr R. Lindsay Robb, English grasslands expert, when lecturing at Lincoln College. “I do not know what price you put on your climate, but in some places in the Dominion you have continuous grazing for twelve months of the year. You can do things here you never could under British climatic conditions.” METEOROLOC 2CAL REPORTS. “We are unable to alter our previous recommendation regarding the telegraphing of the daily weather report from Manukau Heads, and we consider that Auckland and New Plymouth should have these reports.” So wrote the harbourmasters for the ports of Auckland and Manukau (Captains H. H. Sergeant and R. H. Gibbons) in a combined report which they submitted to the Harbour Board. They were reporting on the suggestion of the Director of the *Mcteorological Department (Dr Kidson) to the effect that the expense incurred in telegraphing the daily weather report (a sum of £2O per annum) was not justified by the results. Dr Kidson pointed out that those in need of weather reports might obtain them by telegraphing to the signal station at Manukau South Head. The board upheld the view of the harbourmasters that the telegraphing of the daily report was of great benefit to shipping, and that the Meteorological Department should be asked to continue the service. DAMAGE BY GOATS. That the goats could make their way through the scrub on the upper parts of the Pouakai ranges came as a surprise to many people who knew the dense and matted nature of the scrub, remarked Mr W. 11. Moyes at a meeting of the North Egmont Mountain Committee. He had been over the ranges recently, and was surprised at the number of goats he saw in the locality. Mr R. Larsen, the board’s ranger, said the goats had made tracks right through the scrub and bush, and in certain parts they were now eating the bark of the konini, the native fuschia, as well as oc the ginwood, mahoc and other trees. They were doing considerable damage, and in order to enlighten members of the board as to its extent, he effect on t? e growth of the bush, nu had taken several photographs of the damage U at had been .done. RANGER’S FACE SMASHED. The ranger for the Mount Albert Borough Council recently asked in the Police Court for sureties of the peace against a woman who, he said. Lad ci.bed at the council yard and assaulte» him by screwing his ears r.nd smacking his face. He had previously prosecuted her for allowing cattle to wander, Fcais were expressed :.t a meeting of the council the other evening that the action might be construed to have been taken upon the suggestion of the council, aid one member, in some heat, suggested that a complete denial should bo alvwrtised. Councillors -were appeased when the clerk explained he had merely expressed his own opinion when he artvised the rangci to take proceedings. The woman was ordered by the magistrate to keep the peace for 12 months.