UTILITY POULTRY CLUB.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17938, 5 December 1923, Page 7

UTILITY POULTRY CLUB.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club was held last night, Mr 0. H. Bradford presiding over a small attendance. The chairman referred to the operation for appendicitis successfully undergone by the president, Mr "W. E. Green, at the hospital, and on his motion it was decided to express sympathy with Mr Green in his illness. The Fort Elizabeth Agricultural Society wrote enclosing the latest report of its egg-laying competition, and stating that the report would be forwarded regularly. The club was asked to reciprocate by sending reports of its competition. . It was decided to comply with the society's request. Mr H. Beck brought up the question of notifying each competitor as to the performances of the birds entered by them in the competition. He said that those conducting the Auckland competition sent out such reports in the shape of a printed form on which the information was written.

Mr It. M. Cookson said he was prepared to support the idea if the information were given only in respect ot competitors whose birds passed the weight and were up to standard. Mr W. H. West (treasurer) objected to tho proposal on the score of the expense involved. Mr Beck undertook to have the forms filled in without cost to the club. The chairman supported the idea and said it would be greatlv appreciated by competitors, especially those who lived in other centres and did not have the same opportunities as members in Christchurcli of visiting the competitions. He also advocated that when a bird died the owner should be written to immediately and given information as to the cause of death.

Mr' Beck moved: "That the club issue a form to each competitor at the end of the competition stating the number of eggs laid by each bird and the weight thereof."

Mr "W. Gee seconded the motion. The chairman said that for the first year he would bear the expense 01 printing the forms. The motion was agreed to.

The caretaker reported that during November the weather had been very hot, but the birds had stuck to their laying very well. There had been a few broodies in both the light and heavy breeds; also in the ducks. Birds had died in the following pens: Nos. 284 and 112: birds had been treated for sickness in pens Nos. 287 and 294. Eggs sent to market: 621 dozen hens, 85 dozen ducks. The ground between the two front pens was ready for sowing, and as soon as rain comes it would be done. The electric pump had been overhauled and was now in good order. The secretary reported that Mr W. P. Hern had supplied rings for the ducks free of cost. It was decided to accord a vote of thanks to Mr Hern for his gift. It was also decided that the ducks should be ringed as soon as possible, also any fowls that required to be ringed. Mr West said the club was losing money owing to -the eggs not being graded; he urged that the eggs should be graded. v It was decided to instruct the caretaker to grade the competition eggs. The caretaker's report wa3 adopted. The schedule for the 1924-25 competition was then considered in-detail.

During a witty speech at the Rotary Club's luncheon at Auckland* Mr W. J. Holdsworth related a story concerning a negro meat store proprietor in the United States. A visitor who was praising the contents of a dish' 1 placed before him asked .whether rabbit was the sole ingredient. A few questions elicited the information that the dish contained a proportion of horse-flesh, in addition to the rabbit. "How much do you put in of each?" asked the diner. "Oh, 60-50," came the reply—"one rabbit .to one horse."