PROGRESS OF TE AWAMUTU

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 5 February 1941, Page 10

PROGRESS OF TE AWAMUTU

DISTRICT'S RAPID DEVELOPMENT PROSPEROUS FARMING AREA PART OF AGRICULTURAL SHOW

There are comparatively fewer richer dairying districts in the world than the Te Awamutu district. Its undulating country carries luxuriant pastures and the soil is ideal for every manner of root crop. Fat lamb production as a side-line to dairying has grown apace and the district is now turning off lamb carcases which are ideal for the export trade and which are doing their part to advertise the Dominion’s product abroad. The raising of fat cattle for the chilled beef trade is proving another profitable branch of farming and the chillers sent out from | the Te Awamutu district have earn- ■ ed warm praise overseas. More I and morr pigs are being fattened ] and an interesting fact is that the \ Dominion’s largest open-air pig plant j has been established in the district by the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company. Dairying Progress The Te Awamutu district has shown rapid development as a dairying district, and the figures of the two co-operative companies operating over the territory, the Te Awamutu Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, and the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, again showed a substantial increase in output as compared with the 1938-39 season. It was reliably computed that the pay-out from these two companies for the season 193839 reached to approximately £1,000,000. This was for butterfat supplied to the two big factories in Te Awamutu and the small cheese factory at Hairini, four miles away. The present season again shows an increase, and the very favourable conditions prevailing are expected to reveal an even greater increase in production than was the case a year ago. Farmers have been increasing their herds, improving their pastures, and bringing a greater acreage into productivity. The two dairy companies have shown commendable enterprise in meeting the situation of increased supplies, and staffs were working at high pressure over an extended period. All the latest improvements have been installed at the factories, ensuring prompt and clean handling, and reports from the grading stores indicate that the grading standard was well up to the previous best. Te Awamutu district was for long regarded by many as a "Cinderella of dairying districts, but in the past few years there has been a real transformation, and now there are very few districts in any part of the Dominion with such a fine record of output, either per cow or per acre Part Played By Show A considerable part has been played in the district’s progress by the annual show conducted by the Te Awamutu Agricultural Association. It has served to advertise the potentialities of the district and at the same time it has encouraged the breeding of better stock and illustrated the possibilities of the fat lamb and chilled beef trades. The association’s general prize list has stimulated competition at the show and its officials have spared no effort to ensure the success of the annual exhibitions. It says much for the quality of the district’s stock that local exhibitors

have been able to hold their owm against prominent breeders from outside districts. The farmers of the Te Awamutu district are very progressive, and this fact is borne out by the splendid exhibits they send forward to the annual exhibitions. The show has provided a unique barometer of progress in this connection and has encouraged less progressive producers to emulate their more successful fellow farmers. The Te Awamutu Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Association has been in existence since 1920 and was formed as the result of the efforts of Mr Geo. Hall, who was the first member, and started a subscription list that gave the association the necessary funds to enable it to commence operations. Mr Hall was made a life member as a mark of appreciation of his untiring efforts in the interests of the association. , Great Advances Made The association has played a useful part in the advancement of the district during the 20 years of its existence and the promoters should be proud of the position that the town and district have now reached. In view of the great advances made in the last 20 years it is difficult to visualise what the position might be in 20 years from now. Since the formation of the association, a great deal of new pountry has been brought in, old farms have been sub-divided, there are more settlers with a corresponding increase in production of butterfat, fat lambs, fat stock and pigs. With the advent of motor cars and tractors, the older farmers regret the passing of the horse, although the district can still | produce very fine specimens, and the association’s riding and hunting competitions still attract exceptionally fine classes of hacks and hunters. With good roads, motor cars, telephone, electric light and radio, life in the country has been made more pleasant and easier, with all the advantages of a town without the disadvantages, and the district has taken full advantage of all the innovations and is second to none in the advancement of its country life and importance as a producing unit. The number and excellence of its stock have increased with the growth of the district and the local show will compare favourably with any other Waikato exhibition both in number and quality of the stock, horticultural | and home industries exhibits, the ; excellence of the jumping competii lions and the variety of the sidej shows and other forms of entertain- | ment. ■ Many of the original members of

the show have gone, but it is interesting to note that the younger farmers are taking an active part in all departments of the show and there will be no fear for the future of the annual shows if they have the enthusiastic assistance of the rising generation.

Following is the list of presidents since the association’s inauguration: 1920, Mr Wm. Taylor; 1921, Mr W. G. Park; 1922, Mr Geo. Hall; 1923, Mr F. Quin; 1924 and 1925, Mr T. Davis; 1926 and 1927, Mr S. C. Macky; 1928 and 1929, Mr J. T. Johnson; 1930, Mr W. J. Melville; 1931 and 1932, Mr M. H. Williams; 1933 and 1934, Mr H. Allen; 1935 and 1936, Mr W. G. Macky; 1937, Mr A. H. Storey; 1938, Mr J. S. Pattison; 1939. Mr J. S. Pattison.