YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 69, 23 March 1939, Page 10

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB

SUCCESSFUL GALA AT MARTON As a stimulus to the Young Farmers’ Clubs movement the Marton branch arranged a gala day on Wednesday on the property of Mr. Geo Lampp, Tutae«nui Road, near Marton, for the purpose of demonstrating to the public the capabilities of the young farmers and also to mark the culmination of a year’s activities comprising field days, lectures and social functions. They were favoured with a beautiful day and the location selected was ideal. In the morning tractor driving was the main attraction, but the afternoon’s sport proved most entertaining, competition being keen and the events of a different nature to the usual sports. With Mr. R. Shield (chairman), A. B. Marshall (secretary), D. Gordon, L. McLeay and H. Kempton as committeemen, the dub are very fortunate. They were untiring in their efforts to make the function a success, which they undoubtedly accomplished. Welcome to Visitors. Mr. R. Shield, president of the Marton branch, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, stating that the Young Farmers” movement throughout the Dominion had shown wonderful progress and to-day there were 180 clubs and 5000 members. “It is 12 months ago since they formed the Marton Club,” stated Mr. Shield, “and the gala to-day was the climax to their year's activities.” One of their chief aims was to endeavour to educate the young farmers in the more modern phases of farming and with educational addresses and the help of the older farmers this object would be achieved. There was plenty of room for improvement. It was their aim to foster closer friendship and co-opera-tion between the town and country. Their gala had aroused interest in a number of the young farmers that were present and he hoped that they would come along to their annual meeting and join up with the movement. To Mr. George Lampp we owe a debt of' gratitude for placing his line property al their disposal and also in assisting in the preparatory work. Their thanks were also due to providing luncheon and afternoon the ladies for their kind assistance in tea and to all those who had assisted in making the gala a success. (Applause). Mr. E. B. Gordon, M.P., congratulated the branch on the wonderful strides that it had made in 12 months. Their membership was now 52 and they hoped to reach the 150 mark before their next anniversary. It was a line movement and it had only been i.n existence a few years and members could now see the advantages that could be derived. At the Marton A. and P. shows its members showed great aptitude in judging stock, and it was a stepping stone to becoming good farmers. Farming to-day was more difficult than it had been in the past owing to the numerous diseases and other militant causes. The Young Farmers’ Movement was to educate its members so that they could take their place in the ranks of the primary producers in the Dominion with honour to themselves and their parents. They appreciated a field day on farms and the educational advice from their older farmers. The whole scheme was for the benefit of the country and, in concluding Mr. Gordon congratulated the members on the excellent programme they had staged, which had proved very interesting. (Applause). Mr. A. L. Wheeler, of Leedstown, Marton, gave an address and a practical demonstration on the constitution wool and meat of Romney-Marsh sheep. The Sports. Post hole digging.—L. McLeay 1, P. Shannon 2. Twelve competitors, who had to dig a 2ft. 6in. hole and erect a post in a satisfactory manner. Putting the shot.—G. Lourie, 29ft. sin., 1; F. Smith, 28ft. lliim. Eighteen competitors. Double hand sawing competition.— First heat: M. Morrison and R. Shield 1, C. B. Anderson and K. Carter 2. Second heat: H. Kempton and P. Shannon 1, K. Coles and W. Bush 2. Final: C. B. Andersoai and R. Carter 1, H. Kempton and P. Shannon 2. 100yds. handicap (members).—W. Bush 1, R. Shield 2, L. McLeay 3. Thirty-five starters. The chain stepping was won by G. Griffin, with the correct distance. After three “pulls” the Farmers’ Union team beat the Young Farmers’ team after a great tussle. There were 15 entries in the tractor driving competition which took place in the morning and the finalists for the afternoon were E. W. Barnett, P. Shannon, D. Gordon and A. Nitschke. This event proved very attractive and was won by E. W. Barnett on his morning’s time, with A. Nitschke second and D. Gordon third. Mr. V. W. Fullerton-Smith gave an exhibition of driving into a gravel pit and performing some very clever driving on a McCormick Deering tractor and also with the Bevin harrows. A demonstration of the best burner flame thrower on gorse and thistle was given by Mr. W. Emmett (N.Z. Farmers’ Co-operative Distributing Co.). Afternoon tea and luncheon was dispensed by the ladies and was very much appreciated. STUDIO DANCE The opening dance of the Viola Barker School of Danclf Vast Fri-

day for pupils of school age was a great success. The dance of the evening was the “Lambeth Walk,” the catchy rhythm and the “Oi” being irresistible. All the dance numbers seemed especially attractive and full of life. The studio was tastefully decorated with hydrangeas in many hues and fern. Miss Barker wore a soft black crepe de chine frock, relieved with a mustard colonied sash and revers. The next dance will be an opening for adult pupils and classes are now forming. WANGANUI COLLEGIATE OLD BOYS RANGITIKEI BRANCH The annual reunion dinner of the Rangitikei branch of the Wanganui Collegiate Old Boys, also the general meeting, will be held in the Druids’ Hall, Marton, on Saturday, March 25, at 7 p.m. SPORT AT THE JUNCTION During the past few week-ends sport at the Junction has been well attended and much interest is displayed in the various sports clubs in that area. Championship matches in connection with the Railway Tennis Club are now being strongly contested and last week-end saw a further stage reached in the Teinis Club’s championship. During the week-end, too, the Cricket Club turned out to play the Army on the Racecourse, the boys in the smart uniforms, however, proving too much for the Junction team, who were without some of their top men. The Army won by 37 runs. MARTON CIVIC THEATRE “BREAKING THE ICE” Boasting a story genuinely human in theme, richly enhanced by homely humour, with scenes laid in the contrasting backgrounds of a quaintly rustic section of Pennsylvania and the entertainment world of Chicago, and with an elaborate and beautiful sequence of an iceskating carnival as (Further District News on Page 12) its show-piece, Bobby Breen’s latest and by far most pretentious picture, “Breaking the Ice,” approaches screen presentation. It will be seen at the Civic Theatre to-night and to-mor-row night. Featuring the world’s youngest ice skater, Irene Dare, and Charlie Ruggles and Dolores Costello, at the head of a supporting cast of brilliant names, the film takes rank easily as Bobby Breen’s most important vehicle. MARTON GOLF CLUB. The annual general meeting of the Marton Golf Club will be held in the Marton Jockey Club’s room to-night (Thursday) at 8 p.m., when the annual report and balance-sheet will be presented, and the election of officers will take place. General business will also be dealt with.