Owen Long, for year ending December 1984
This was a year without as much activity as hoped because of the desire to keep travel costs to a low figure. Where possible visits were made to branches when they coincided with other reasons for being in the vicinity. This meant that some branches were neglected arid for this I apologise. Branches which had a visit, even, if only to some of the committee, included Northland, Auckland, South Auckland, Thames-Coromandel, Waikato, Central Districts (at Wanganui) and Gisborne/East Coast. Other visits were to Regional Meetings at Hamilton and Palmerston North and to Management Committee meetings at Hamilton. In all of these cases there were no accommodation costs as private arrangements were made.
The visit to Wanganui resulted in a public meeting where a local sub-branch was formed. They have subsequently held an excellent field day up the Wanganui River. I wish to thank the officers of both Central District and Taranaki who travelled to Wanganui at their own expense to help with this meeting, I must especially thank Steuart Welch for his considerable efforts. The Northland Branch held a field day near Whangarei which I attended. This was arranged by Harry Miller and Phil Gardner to attempt to form a sub-branch there. Unfortunately this was not successful. While there was some interest no definite action was taken. This idea is still being kept under action by the Northland Branch.
There has been an appeal by Steuart Welch, now Secretary of the Central Districts Branch for more effort to be given to the planting of trees. This has my strong support. There have been times when it is felt that there is more discussion than action. It is hoped that more branches will follow the example of the Taranaki Branch who have been able to get land from Clifton County Council for an arboretum. We hear of other branches that are doing something similar but more needs to be done. Perhaps we should try planting trees in land that is considered less than good. Local Bodies sometimes have land that is a problem and they may wonder what is the best way to use this property. Trees may not grow in all of these places but how do we know if we don't try. Think how interesting it would be if we could show that they can grow well in what is often called 'marginal land'. Please think about this. It might show your local people that the Tree Crops Association can be of service to the community and at the same time be a place where we can train some of our members in the care and propagation of trees.
Owen Long
NI VICE PRESIDENT