FLOCK EWES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 206, 13 June 1936, Page 3

FLOCK EWES

~AWARDS IN MID-CANTERBURY". CHAMPIONSHIP OF COUNTY. AGAIN WON BY MR HARPER. The Mid- Canterbury flock ewe com» petition was concluded with a social held in Lewitt’s reception rooms last evening, when the awards made by the judges were announced. There was a good attendance, over which Mr G. Kelly (preSident of the Methven Agricultural and Pastoral Association) presided. ‘With him were the judges. The competition was conducted under the auspices of the Ashburton, Methven and Mayfield Agricultural and Fastoral Associations, each of which had appointed three judges, whose individual reports were combined at ‘ the end of the two days’ judging. Results of the judging were announced as f0110w...

. Class 1 (two—tooth and over, halfbred or Corriedale ewes)—-Mr J". H. Grigg (Longbeach) 1, Mr C. G. 0. Harper (Hackthorne) 2, Mr J. Gregory (Seafield) 3. ‘ Class 2—Halfbred or Corriedale ewe lambs)-——Mr R. J. Martin (Seafield) 1, Mr C. Cr. C. Harper (Hackthome) 2, Mr E. J , Banks (Carew) 3. Class 3 (three—quartelubred or cross’ bred ewe lambs)-——Dr. A. J. Orchard (\V'esterfield) 1, Mr V. \V. Wright (Methven) 2. Class LL—crossbred or three-quarter bred ewes, any age)—Mr F. I’. (30019 son (Eiffelton) 1. Challenge Cup, most. goings—Mr C. G. C. Harper (fifth year in b‘hccession). Challenge Cup, best flock - Mr C. G, 0. Harper. Junior Judging Competition—Mr S. Sewell 1, Mr J. {Blartiu 2. Mr Kelly presented the challenge cup 120 Mr Harper and offered the congrafiulations of _the' three Associations on his success.

Replying, Mr Harper said he was proud to have won the cup again. Com—petition had been strong and he would have liked to see it go round.

Certificates were presented to other Winners, each of whom spoke briefly. Commenting on the winning sheep in Class 1, Mr Todhunter said that one would go a long way before he would find a better flock. It was not only a question of the breeding of the sheep but also of the man behind them. Mr Barton said it looked well for the future of the flocks as a result of the work that was being done by competitors in the second class. ‘ Mr Murdoch spoke briefly regarding the exhibits in Classes 3 and 4, and said that as far as constitution and carcase was concerned there was little wrong with them; Proposing the toast of “The Exhibitors,” Mr H. C. B. VVithell (one oil the judges) said that the exhibitors; were the most important part of any . competition. The interest that had} been taken in the contests was shown by the large following the judges had. The thanks of the associations was due to the competitors, and he paid a tri—bute to them for the manner in which they had assisted. They did: not have much time for the man who said “he had better stuff at home.” If he had, he should bring it out and show it. (Hear, hear), The contests has been of value in bringing the three associations so closely together. An exhibitor had to be public spirited to enter such 3‘ competition and to submit their flocks to being “pulled to pieces” in public. i In response, Mr D. J. Morrow said the exhibitors had enjoyed the two last days. They did not always expect to win, but they looked on the cont-est as some means of exhibiting theirl flocks. Mr R..Middlemiss said the farmers owed a debt to the associations for] having kept the competition alive. One thing that should not be overlookedi was the type of land on which the com-| petitor was farming. The man on the{ lighter land had much more work to{ do than the man on the better types ‘ of land, and the competition between. the two became somewhat uneven. ‘

The toast of “The Judges” was proposed by Colonel J. Findlay, who said the method of judging in the competition must lead to accuracy of award. He did not envy the judges their job, for they had had much to do, and the thanks of the association was due to them for the able manner in which they had carried out their work.

In reply, Mr R. C. Todliunter said the difficult job did not fall on the judges. That fell to the secretary (Mr W. H. Amos) who had to work out the several judges’ points. It had been an educatioa and a. pleasure to see the way the flocks had improved. He complimented the exhibitors for the way in which they had presented their flocks for inspection. Mr H. 0. Barton also replied, and said the judges had been well cared for on, the itinerary, and he endorsed Mr Todhunter’s remarks regarding the exhibitors.

Mr G. B. Murdoch said the work was becoming harder each year. He expressed regret that there had not been more entries in some of the flames. ' -

Mr J. H. Grigg proposed the toast of “The Junior Judges,” and said that as the move was such a. valuable one it was to be regretted that there had: not been more than four competitors.

Reply was made by Messrs S. lSewel‘l, J. Martin, J. Johnston and P. Harper, who expressed their thanks to the As—sociations for having; afforded them the opportunity of having taken part. { The toast of the “Supervisors” was proposed by Mr D. A. Morgan, who said it had been a wise innovation to: appoint supervisors, to whom was due the fact that the judges were able to keep to their schedule. They had largely smoothed the way for the judges. Replies were made by Messrs S. Campbell (Methven), G. Johnston (Mayfield) and It. J). Cochrane (Ashburton). Mr R. M. Mc-Gregor proposed the toast of the three associations, and he said the associations were without a doubt doing a great deal to maintain the supremacy of the flocks, The pupils of the Highland Technical High Schools

owed a debt- of gratitude to the aswcintions for the opportunity of going round the flocks. It ha‘cl been of great educational value to them and the experience had been one they would not soon forget. He congratulated the: associations on the way in which they had. conducted the competition.

Replies were made by Messrs R. J. Martin (Ashburton), A. McLeod (Methven) and L. R. Harrison (Mayfield). Mr Martin congratulated the secondary school: pupils on their behaviour during the tour and referred to the keenness of the interest they had displayed in the several flocks inspected. Mr McLeod said he had been amazed at the quality that Iliad been in evi—dence in the previous two years. Mr Harrison said that none of the exhibitors had any cause to be ashamed of the sheep they had exhibited, The toast of the “Secretary, Mr W. H. Amos,” was proposed by Mr L. L. Richards, who paid a. tribute to Mr Amos’s work, and Mr Amos made brief reply. The toast of “The Press” was proposed by Mr A. P. Bruce.