North Canterbury Field Day

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 60, Issue 1, 15 January 1940, Page 68

North Canterbury Field Day

A. S. NASH,

District Secretary, Rangiora

THE third annual field day of the North Canterbury clubs was once again an outstanding success, and in spite of petrol restrictions this year’s gathering was the biggest yet. Good team work by the various secretaries in each district was responsible for the organisation of the carloads, and at 9.30 a.m. on Monday, October 16, a party of more than 130 club members and farmers gathered at Mr. G. R. McDonald’s farm at Waikuku.

Mr. H. G. Parish, chairman of the North Canterbury District Committee, welcomed those present, after which Mr. McDonald took the party around his paddocks. While the stock were being arranged for the judging Mr. S. Freeman, organising secretary, gave a talk on recent activities of the federation, explaining the tree-planting scheme and the value of keeping the movement going during the war.

With such a large gathering it was impossible to carry out the judging in one group, and half the party went to the Waikuku twine works, while the other half were engaged with papers and pencils endeavouring to point up the sheep for the cup. There was a change-over after the first section completed their cards, and later Mr. J. Little, a well-known Corriedale breeder, who acted as judge, gave a demonstration on the sheep and pointed out the reasons for his placing of them. Mr. C. Mackenzie, on behalf of those present, thanked Mr. Little for his demonstration and Mr. McDonald for the use of his sheep and yards. O. G. Evans, Hawarden, scored the most points for the cup. While at the twine works parties were taken around by Messrs. R. and

A. McDonald, who explained the manufacture of binder twine. The afternoon tea was most acceptable. " 0 ™ 9 nm a W “X pare set ofl . Belfast wh ere Mr , Johns of !° r i n , wnere Mr. J. Jonns, or Avondale Dairies, took us on a tour °t arm This farm has long been known as an example of what can be done by the use of irrigation together with manures, lucerne, and good grasses. Paddocks were seen in all stages, some being ploughed and levelled, others ready to sow, andl the rest carrying wonderful swards of ryegrass and clover. At one place on the farm a turbine lifts the water ten. feet so that the higher parts of the farm can be watered. Everybody was impressed by the energy and ability of Mr. Johns

and the wonderful results he had achieved. At various points Mr. Johns stopped and explained what had been done in the last few years ' Mr- K ' Dunbar thanked Mr. Johns tor the instructive time he had given to everybody. The next move was to Rangiora High (School, where the new l model piggeries were inspected. Then followed a break before tea. The District Committee had arranged for all to sit down together in the A. & P. Hall, and as nearly everybody was able to stay, a big family of more than 100 had tea together. Talkie films were shown in the evening by Mr. Freeman, and Mr. Parish moved a hearty vote of thanks to the organising secretary for supplying the entertainment.