PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 110, 11 May 1936, Page 3

PATEA

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB t A meeting to form a young farmers' club was held in the Whenuakura School on Wednesday evening and was well attended by young and older farmers. Mr F. Parsons presided and introdubbed Mr Davies, of the Department of - Agriculture, Hawera, who has organised ' clubs in the South Island. Mr Davis ; •poke on the commencement of the s clubs in England in 1921 and in New : Zealand in 1932, the advance made, and the objects and advantages of such 1 clubs. South Otago had formed the first : New Zealand club and now there were : 65 clubs in Otago alone. Whenuakura would be the second in Taranaki. The main object of the clubs was to educate the young farmer in agriculture, primarily by lectures, demonstrations, and social activities. Mr Davies mentioned that town boys had a distinct advantage over country-reared boys, by being able to attend night schools etc. to further their education. It was decided to form a branch at Whenuakura. The election of officers resulted: Chairman, Mr. J. Parsons; secretary, Mr. J. Kuhfuss; treasurer, Mr. J. Dcrrett. A committee of four is to be elected at the next meeting. The club fee is to be 2s 6d. and members * ages from 14 to 30 years. Any over that age can join as associates at a fee of 2s. Meetings arc to be held on the second and last Wednesday in the month, and the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, when Mr. J. Wynne will lecture on the keeping uf farm accounts. HERD TESTING. Figures for thes I‘atea District Herd Testing Association for April, are as follows: Patea Group. Group Averages: 899 cows, 505 milk, 5.1 test. 25.79 fat. Highest herd. 58 cows, 33.22 fat, lowest herd, 102 cows, 20.67 fat, highest cow, 62 fat. Waverley Group. Group Averages: 558 cows, 445 milk, 5.3 test, 23.87 fat. Highest Herd: 37 cows, 32.02 fat. Lowest Herd: 46 cows, 16.56 fat. Highest Cow: 55 fat.

Maxwell Group. Group Average: 928 cows, 368 milk. 5.9 test, 21.92 fat. Highest Herd: 26 cows, 33.50 fat. Lowest Herd: 39 cows, 13.43 far. Highest cow. 53 fat. FAREWELL. Parents and children attended in large numbers the farewell to Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Wither, held in the Whenuakura Hall on Wednesday. Mr. Wither has been the head teacher of the Whenuakura School for the past seven years. Little Pat Harris presented MiWither, on arrival, with a dainty posy of autumn flowers. Mr. C. S. Marrin presiding, expressed appreciate at the large attendance. Children of the school gave an excellent programme those taking part ■were: Master Cliffc-rd Martin, Announcer and Master of Ceremonies; Misses D. Barnes. S. Mercer, Q. Cunningham, M. Hurley, M. Booker, L. Martin, B. Martin, and Masters J. Lockett, J. Tangipo and Peter Parsons. Miss Leslie Shirley, a senior pupil, presented Mr. Wither with a silver mounted pipe as an appreciation from the pupils. Mr. Wither replying. Mr. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board in a suitable speech, presented Mr. and Mrs. Wither with a savoury dish and an armcnatr, on behalf of the school committee and settlers of the, district. Mr. W. H. Southcombe, on behalf of the Patea and District Public Schools’ A.A.A., presented Mr. Wither with an illuminated address and wished him future happiness. Mr. C. Martin also spoke and on behalf of the committee thanked Mr. Wither for his services. Mr. Wither, replying, thanked all for the honour bestowed on himself and Mrs. Wither, and particularly the school committee for their assistance. He then spoke directly to the children, nrging them to build up a good sound body, which helped them to have a good mind for their studies. He concluded by thanking all for their handsome gifts which, he and Mrs. Wither would always treasure. Mr. Martin thanked the children who had taken part in the programme and the settlers who had helped with the function, and apologised for Messrs. F. Parsons, C. R. Honeyfield, and Captain Barnes. Ladies of the district were hostesses and served a dainty afternoon tea.