WAIKERIA INSTITUTION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20887, 19 August 1939, Page 9

WAIKERIA INSTITUTION

VARIED FARMING ACTIVITIES SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT “ The farm section has progressed satisfactorily, and, although the dairy herd has been reduced, increased market values have maintained revenue at the high level of £17,023 for the year, exclusive of the value of a large quantity of produce consumed at the institution for rations purposes and on the farm itself,” stated Mr D. Dunlop, superintendent of the Waikeria Borstal Institution in Prisons Report for the year 1938-39, presented to Parliament. “ Nearly all branches of farm work are carried out, including dairying, cattle, sheep, horse and pig raising, vegetable, fruit, honey, and tobacco culture, and ordinary crop production. Topdressing on the usual maintenance basis was carried out, and an area of 53 acres was sown down in permanent pasture,” he added. “ Dairying is the main farm activity, and during the season 1937-38 an average of 416 cows was milked, with an average butterfat production a cow of 2911 b. Of the total cream supplied to the factory, 88.42 per cent was graded first quality. Herd-testing was carried out by inmates, and the heifers were subjected to the tuberculin test by a veterinarian of the Department of Agriculture. “ All supplies of beef and mutton both for this institution and that of Auckland Prison were obtained from the farm. The quality of the meat produced on the farm received favourable comment from visitors to the institution. Good prices were obtained for all hides, skins and tallow disposed of through the auction-rooms. In the sheep section a total of 102 bales of wool was produced during the season, while 2340 lambs were sold for export. Valuable Asset “ The garden continues to be a valuable asset and provides the institution with the whole of its requirements of vegetables, and any surplus finds a ready market at satisfactory prices. Young trees are grown in the nursery for eventual planting out on the farm to provide essential shelter for the stock. During the past season no tobacco was grown, but a further four acres were planted out in the spring, and if weather conditions remain favourable a good crop should result. “ For the orchard the season was a poor one and only 1830 cases of apples were produced, giving a revenue of £305. Apart from the apples supplied to the institution as a change of diet for the inmates, the whole of the apple crop was disposed of either locally or through the auction rooms. A much heavier yield is expected during the coming season. During the off-season a further 450 young trees were planted out, and an excellent strike was obtained. These extra trees should make a valuable addition to the orchard at a later date. “ From the apiary 68901 b of honey received a ready market, the revenue from this source being £177. The prospects for the coining season are, however, not so bright, and apiarists, generally, are expecting a much lower crop, mainly through unfavourable weather conditions in the spring and early summer.”