The Smedley Estate

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 100, 27 August 1930, Page 6

The Smedley Estate

A VALUABLE BEQUEST; PROGRESS ON THE PROPERTY Under the will of the late Josiah Howard, a desirable and extensive agricultural property to be utilised for furthering agricultural education in the Dominion was bequeathed to His Majesty the King. i The value of this generous bequest in the rural economy of Hawke’s Bay cannot be over-estimated. The property is a valuable holding known as “Smedley” and is situated in the Waipawa District; it is located in one of the leading pastoral districts in the Dominion and for this reason it is eminently suited for tho training of young men who intend to engage in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, especially those who desire to attain success in the sphere of The soil that comprises Smedley is, as in the case of other land which is devoted to the pastoral industry within the Dominion of lower-class quality when a contrast is made with the richer lands that are associated with dairyfarming and other branches of agriculture, and for that reason it forms a desirable asset for training young men in sheep-farming, to which industry the greater area of the Dominion will always be devoted' by reason of its uneven topographical character. Tho property will assuredly prove a valuable asset for tho training of'young men for farming in Hawke’s Bay and the Province may regard itself as being distinctly fortunate in possessing such a splendid bequest of this nature; it is certain that this will have a bene- , ficial influence on tho agriculture of the Dominion for the activities associated with it will be far-reaching and will extend considerably beyond the boundaries of pastoral Hawke’s Bay. The valued bequest consists of an area of land which totals over 7700 acres —to be exact 7714 acres 2 roods and 38 perches—and added to this was the live and dead stock on the property at the time of the death of the testator which occurred on January sth .1919.

Nature of the Laad. The country constituting- the property Is suitable for the grazing of sheep add cattle ?nd in addition to the land adapted for pasturage, comprises a satisfactory proportion of cultivable soil which may be utilised in the production of both winter and summer forage crops for stock-feeding and also the growing of crops suitable for conversion into hay and silage. Both hay conservation and silegc production will receive attention on the farm. In connection with these it is widely realised by progressive farmers that hay is a suitable dry food for stock-feeding during the cold winter period and that this with roots and other farm crops ensures a well-bal anced food ration and results in both thriftier and healthier stock. On Smedley it will be possible to demonstrate in a degree, its value in animal husbandry. It is accepted that if, where practicable, sufficiently large volumes of hay and silege are conserved on pastoral farms the ravages of droughts that periodically occur within the province may be minimised. An effort to illustrate the importance of food conservation for stock-feeding will be appreciated by pastoralists. A Beginning Made. On Smedley a beginning has, been made already in connection with the production of foods for both winter and summer feeding and the valuable attributes of certain crops in sheephusbandry established . For example, besides rape, it has been proven that Chou Moellier flourishes satisfactorily under the local conditions of soil and climate and that the crop which has been grown on a moderate scale on the farm furnishes a liberal supply of excellent food for stock during the winter season. A Valuable Forage Crop. A crop which has attained a state of perfection in respect of successful growth and value as a winter forage crop is thousand headed Kale. This crop which was grown during the past season presented a picture of productiveness from the flockmaster’s stand- ; point exhibiting a tall and dense growth and a remarkable healthy tone l of colour and was possessed of the highest feeding attributes. I Several varieties of swede turnips have been cultivated and much useful information hag been gained regarding their respective values on the farm. Millet succeeds on Smedley and furnishes excellent forage during the ,driest period of summer, and it is worthy of remark that the crop continued to flourish and retain its verdant hue after the pastures had assumed a sundried condition and was

then relished by the stock which were turned upon it to feed. Other crops have been sown also during the autumn to supplement the feed on the pastures, and in this connection an interesting comparison is being made with different cereals as winter forage crops. Property’s Carrying Capacity An idea of the carrying power of the land comprising Smedley may be obtained when it is realised that at the present time there are on the property over 9000 sheep in addition to over 500 head of cattle. Such a large proportion of cattle it may bo added, is required at tho present juncture of the farm’s development to ensure the maintenance of the satisfactory condition of the pastures especially in respect of the suppression of undesirable vegetative growth, notably fern. Howard Estate Act 1919. Residents ( of Hawke’s Bay will be interested to learn that the Public Trustee undertook the administration of the Bequest subsequent to the demise of the testator, and the Howard Estate Act, 1919, was passed; this directed that tho Public Trustee should hold the property in trust for the Crown as a permanent endowment for the purpose of agricultural education. To allow sufficient time in which a policy should be shapen, the Public Trustee was authorised to carry on the farm and this has been done up to the present time with considerable success. From the date of the death of the testator, is has been the object of the public Trustee and the Direetor-Gener-al of Agriculture to improve the farm and since extensive improvement? have been made at a steady pace. To wit over 16 miles of fences have been constructed; 250 acres of land have been ploughed, a proportion of which has been re-sown to grass while the remaining area is at present under crop. Over 500 acres of grassland has been fertilised. Owing to the farm being exposed to wind, the establishment of shelter trees has also; received the attention which is proportionate to its importance, and a policy of planting has been in operation with the result that now 14 miles of shelter belts comprising nearly 4000 trees, have been planted in addition to a further area extending over three acres. A new dwelling house has been erected for the manager besides new workmen ’s quarters, a cook house, whares and accommodation for shepherds. It may not generally be known that the Howard Estate Act 1919 made provision for payments to relatives of the testator subject to an Order in Council and under this authority tho Public Trustee has disbursed a sum in this connection amounting to no less than £34,055,000.

It is gratifying that an Advisory Board has been appointed recently which consists of esteemed members of Hawke’s Bay public bodies including Mr. E. Averill (Chairman), Kercru; Mr .T, R. Absolom, Rissington; Mr A. Robottom, Waipawa; Mr W. Cuthbertson, Takapau; and Mr James Livingston, Dannevirke. Training of Cadets. Careful consideration has also been given by the Board to the question of establishing a training scheme for cadets on Smedley Station. The proposals involve the placing of five lads on the Station this year and an additional five next year, bringing the total complement up to ton cadets. It is proposed that the lads will be given a- thorough practical training extending over a period of two years, supplemented by lectures by officers of the Department of Agriculture, who will visit the station periodically. The Board was especially gratified with the response to its advertisement inviting applications for cadetships, receiving in all 50 applications. This number will be reduced to ten and it is proposed at the next meeting to personally interview these applicants, when the final selection will be made. It is anticipated that the accommodation house wil be completed and the first draft of cadets will go into occupation in November next.