LOOKING BACK
The Herald 100 years ago
SINOIA, 15 October 1919. — In connection with the official opening of the stockyards at Sinoia last week, the members of the Lomagundi Farmers’ Association are to be congratulated upon their enterprise in erecting particularly fine yards, and upon the success which attended the opening ceremony.
There was a very large attendance of farmers and buyers from various parts of the country, and the members of the association made every effort, with their usual hospitality, in order to provide for the comfort of the visitors, the example of energy and enterprise set by this progressive body of farmers might well be emulated by other associations in the country.
The arrangement for the penning of the cattle were excellent, and the sales passed off without a problem.
Mr. W. H. Williamson, who has appointed auctioneer to the association, conducted the sale, which was the largest held in that district and attracted a large attendance of buyers, among whom were Messrs.
The Herald 75 years ago
SALISBURY, 15 October 1944. — The happiest people in yesterday afternoon’s shower in Salisbury were the waterworks staff of the city. The appreciated every drop.
During the heat of the past few weeks the level of purified water in the reservoirs on the Kopje and Hartmann Hill dropped by day, till the city has been running this week on a reserve of a third of a day’s supply.
One major burst of the main from Prince Edward pumping plant that has with one gap of a few hours, been running non-stop for the past three weeks, would leave the city almost waterless.
That is what the authorities have been longing for rain and cool weather and begging Salisbury people to use as little water as they can, for everybody’s sake. People should cut down garden-watering and use bathwater for their gardens instead of letting it run to waste.
They should let their cars say dusty a good deal longer before washing them.
They should keep an eye on their native servants ‘habit of leaving taps running.
The Herald 50 years ago
SALISBURY, 15 October 1969. — In Parliament yesterday the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. David Smith, announced guaranteed minimum producer prices for the maize, cotton and sorghum crops to be grown this summer.
The minister disclosed that for top- grade maize, farmers will receive not less than 25s. a gab; for topgrade Alba cotton not less than 7½d. per 1b; and for top grade sorghum not less than 35s. a bag.
The prescribed (as distinct for minimum) producer prices for these three products in the current intake season are 30s. for maize, 8d. for cotton and 35s. for sorghum. Minimum prices suggests that the final process may well be higher.
This is the first time in the history of Rhodesian agriculture that the Government has announced minimum producer prices for maize and cotton before planting time. Normally prescribed prices are announced in April for the delivery year starting at the beginning of May.
The Herald 25 years ago
HARARE, 15 October 1994. — Women’s income-generating projects in rural areas will soon benefit from the $500 000 loan facility provided by the International Labour Organisation and the Netherlands following changes to the conditions which had proved to be prohibitive for those wishing to borrow funds.
Over the years the credit facility, provided under the programme, “Action to Assist Rural Women” who has been underutilised because project members could not meet the requirements to get the loan. Only 10 women’s groups had taken loans since the facility was set up in 1989.
In an interview on Tuesday, the ILO national project officer, Mrs Valerie Mathathu, said that a draft document on the amendments had been completed and was only awaiting ratification by the ILO headquarters in Geneva and the Netherlands. Through the new amendments, the organisation would provide a loan guarantee subsidy. About 12 percent of the interest on the borrowed money would be paid by the organisation.