A. AND P. SHOWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 207, 14 June 1932, Page 6

A. AND P. SHOWS

THE METHVEN ASSOCIATION. VALUABLE SERVICES RECOGNISED, l LIFE MEMBERSHIP CONFERRED. At the monthly meeting of the committee of the Methyen Agricultural and Pastoral Asoeiation last evening the President (Mr A. F. Marr), made reference to the valuable services rendered to the Association by Mr H. Maginness, who had been a member of the Association since its inception as committeeman and president in 1923 and 1924. He had also supported them well in the way of donations and cups, while with Mrs Maginness he had been a marshal of the miscellaneous section since shows were held. His example was one that could well be copied and they all appreciated the good work done. On the motion of the president, Mr Maginness was elected a life member in appreciation of his valuable services, which was carried by acclamation. There were present Messrs A. F. Marr «(president), H. J. Freeman, R. J. Low, A. McLeod, W. F. Reynolds, G. Kelly, W. C. Lowery, S. Campbell, A. Geddes, E.- A. Bland, J. Watson, G-. Callaghan, A. Goodwin, J. Campbell, J. Ruddenklau and C. A. Campion. Lengthy correspondence was received from the Canterbury Association in reference to stock improvement, particularly in reference to sires used. Over 90 per cent, of the Associations written to have favoured statutory authority for some scheme for the elimination of male animals used for sires. It was decided' to support the _ proposals, but that the secretary write and ask if they would apply only to registered animals and what would be the position in regard to all unregistered sires sold on the farm privately. The secretary prevented a balancesheet showing a profit of £2 19s 6d on the recent social evening and presentation of cups. The president congratulated the committee on the success of the function, from a social and financial point of view. Messrs Adams and Wright, judges in the field roots competition., in their report, made several suggestions for the improvement of future competitions. These were passed on for consideration by the incoming committee. A resolution, "that any crop of green feed entered for competition shall not have been sown more than six months prior to the date of judging," was also referred to the committee. The recommendations of Mr E. M. Bates were also dealt with, and it was decided to recommend to the incoming committee that permament pasture be not debarred as long as it conforms to the regulation that it be not sown earlier than six months prior to the date of judging. The scale of points recommended are: Yield 35, uniformity and strike 20, evenness of sowing 10, stage of growth 10, freedom from weeds 25; total 100. A recommendation that there be an inspection of potato crops for determination of virus diseases in January was not agreed to owing to the entries in these not closing before March. In connection, with the judges' reports on green feed, the secretary was instructed to write to Lincoln College for information as to the feeding values of all types of green feed. The executive of the Ashburton County Flock Ewe Competition torwarded the following recommendations for consideration in connection with next year's competition: (1) that the same system of judging be adhered to; (2) that each association appoint three judges; (3) that enlarged certificates be given in lieu of prize-money and that the entry fee in each class be only 2s 6d • (4) that a prize be offered to young men accompanying the official party and awarding the prizes nearest to the official judges; (5) that a larger rejection Mje allowed in ,the cross-bred and three-quarter-bred classes. The recommendations were referred to the incoming committee. The. Canterbury A. and P. Association wrote that it was of opinion that the scheme suggested by the Methven Association in regard to the entry fees at members rates be reciprocated could not reasonably be applied to metropolitan shows. The necessity of some exhibitors belonging to five or six shows w*as a hardship, and if any scheme could be worked out where an exhil>itor\belonged to his local association and a metropolitan organisation the committee would have sympathy with the proposals forwarded. The director of Lincoln College advied that short courses in agriculture would be held at the college from June 28 to July 9. The arrangements would be on similar lines as those of last year. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. C. E. MacMillan) wrote in reference to a campaign against noxious weeds, urging co-operation with his department, which had made arrangements with the Board that all farmers making application for labour are to be granted relief workers free of wages cost. , A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr R. J. Laurenson for his services at the recent social evening and presentation of cups.

THE MAYFJELD ASSOCIATION. DECISIONS OF THE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the committee of the Mayfieldi Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the rooms last evening.,' There wer*> piJfcsent:—The President (Mr D. J. Morrow), and Messrs G. B. Murdoch, A. A. Fleming, W. J. EarlV; W. Turner, T. Corbett, W. Prouting, R. Oakley, G. N. Harrison, jX Howden, A. V. Barrett, R. B. Macmillan, H. C. Barton, G. Johnstone, A. Morrison, J. Moore, L. L. D. Withell, J. Blair J, A. Fleming, and J. H. Patterson. The questio?; of planting trees on the south-west boundary was left in the hands of the Grounds Committee. 4 circular letter was received from the. Department of Agriculture setting out the Small Farm Holding Scheme. After considerable discussion, the President and Vice-President were appointed to work in conjunction with the Farmers' Union to form an advisorv committee as suggested. The secretary intimated that Mr L. J. Feehney had offered a cup for com-

petition in the pony class. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Fechney, and us the next meeting was the final meeting of the present' committee the matter was left over for the new committee to deal with. Mr J. Moore conveyed a message from the Ruapuna School, which suggested that the rvrincipal schools competing should subscribe toward a perpetual cup for competition in the Juvenile Section. Mr G. JKelly was elected ai member of the association. It was decided to forward a letter of protest to the Government against the present method! of importing stock from Britain, via Australia. A member referred to the rumour that there were families in Mayfield that were short of food. As no one present appeared to have anv knowledge of such a case, it was thought the rumour must be incorrect. The opinion was expressed that if anything like this did occur practical help would be forthcoming. ■-.'.'. The matter of a reduction of yarding fees in the Ashburton and Tinwald saleyards was discussed, and the matter was referred to the Farmers' Union. It was reported that the nominations for officers for the ensuing year were: President, Mr G.'B. Murdoch ; vice-pre-dent, Mr Gordon Johnston; treasurer, Mr A. V. Barrett • committee, Messrs W. J. Early, R. B. Macmillan, J. H. Patterson, D. R. Howden, H. P. Ashton, T. Corbett, ID. Duff, H. 0. Barton, L. H. Ruddick, A. D. Morrison, W. Prouting, G. N. Harrison, R. Oakley, J. Blair, W. Turner, A. A. Fleming, and E. C. D. Withell. As the nominations do not exceed the required number, no election will be necessary.