TRAINING AMATEUR SHOW JUDGES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1234, 16 September 1911, Page 3

TRAINING AMATEUR SHOW JUDGES.

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. DISCUSSION AT CARTEKTON. A matter of considerable importance to agricultural and pastoral associations, viz., tho question of educating amateurs to become professional judges of stock, was discussed at a special committee meeting of the Wairarupa and Knst Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society, held at Carterton yesterday afternoon. The chair was occupicd by Mr. AV. Howard Booth. The secretary read the following letter which he had addressed to 18 prominent judges:— . '

"A discussion too): place at the last * meeting of my committee on the question of educating tho amateur to become the professional judge of stock, and I should bo glad to obtain your opinion, as a judge, oil this important matter. X-'or instance, would you object, when acting as judge, to liavo a man. attend yon while performing your duties,' discuss points, and explain to him your reasons for awards? Members of my committee aro of tho opinion that some scheme should bo adopted whereby the would-be judge, who may not have the courage of his opinions, until they arc confirmed, should have an opportunity of acquiring not only a wider knowledge, but a firmer belief in his ability. Your •opinion would bo much appreciated, and cordially welcomed. Tho replies received, arc summarised as underi Judges Born—Not Educated. , Mr. Walter P. Archibald, Hastings, judge of Downs, wrote that in his opinion judges were born, not educated, Mature being assisted by environment. In his opinion, however, nine-tenths of all success resulted from application. I'ondness of the occupation was imperative. For instance, a farmer's or shepherd's son, blessed with a clever, thrifty toother, was nearly sure to be a good judge of stock if ho takes to it; should 'lie' be in constant company with a capable man and made entirely subservient to that man for a time. Personally ho had 110 objection to giving his reasons at any time, as he had always had reasons for his decisions. Many competent judges, however, might object to givo ixiasons for their decisions. Student>> Judging—A Success. Mr. Alfred Matthews, Feathcrston. judge of Koinnoys, replied that he had already frequently expressed the opinion that it would assist some of our young men materially in becoming competent judges if they were allowed to accompany experienced judges when the latter were carrying out their duties. "My judging," said Mr. Matthews, "has always been confined to sheep .classes, and I certainly have never been ■ a silent judge,' but have always had pleashre in imparting to the stewards working with mo as much information as I possibly could in connection with tho exhibits I deal with. Wo have men who are perhaps quite competent to judge at . shows, but have not sufficient confidence ill. themselves to act alone. If, however, they were allowed to attend a first-class judge, who would analyse the animals carefully, call attention to the essential points' and • clearly give reasons for tho award, these men would soon bcconlo competent judges, and would act. with confidence. Unfortunately some, judges would not givo reasons for their decisions, and," added Mr. Matthews, "you will generally find them incapable of analysing an animal. Such men were not likely to assist young men to become judges. You cannot expect all men who have had experience in the breeding of stock to l>e competent judges, .as. some e.au never becomo qualified." Mr. Matthews thinks tho system of student judging, such as was carried out some years ago at the PalmerstoiL Winter Show, very useful in assisting young moil-, to becomo judges of stock. A Pleasure to Assist. Mr. Donald Grant, judge of Downs, replied that he would bo pleased to assist tho association, as lie considered tho idea a good one, and could seo no objection to it from tho judge's point of view, as long as it is young rutn who aro working with or breeding the particular breed in which they aro asked to get lessons on. Views of a Feilding Breeder. , Mr. Ernest Short, of Feilding, expressed his views as under:—"Not nioro than three amateurs should be nominated to follow tho judgo or judges through each respective class they might'wish to make themselves efficient in, and tho judges should be requested to explain, all the different points of each animal. as it passes through their hands. Tho information thus gained would have a lasting effect on the students." As the above would necessitate longer time in judging. Mr. Short considers that instruction could bo given after the judges had completed their work. Worthy of a Trial. Mr. C. M. Threlkcld, of Canterbury, said he would .certainly not object to explaining his reasons for placing sheen. In conclusion, he wrote: "I think your schomo worthy of a trial, as I know how difficult it is to get pod judges." . , What Ayrshire Breeders*' are Doing. "I consider the. scheme. is one which ought to recommend itself to all A. and P. Associations and exhibitors in the Dominion," wrote Mr. J. Kyle, judge of Ayrshires. The Ayrshire Breeders' Association of New Zealand had, ho said, been considering, tho matter for some time, having corno to the conclusion that if the list of judges is to bo kept, at full strength some such scheme must' be adopted, lie suggested that tho amateur should bo allowed to go into tho Ting with .the judge, but not' to ask any question's while a class was being judged. Tliero was generally somo little delay bohveen Ihe classes and-during that time the judge Could givo tho amateur his reasons for making or giving his award. That would not delay the judging.' If the time between tho classes was not sufficient tho judge could go round the classes after ho had finished ilnd explain his reasons. Ifo personally would not object to anyone being with him while he was judging.

Not Too Enthusiastic. Mr. John I'arlaue, Cashmere, a judgo of Ayrshires, said he had spoken to several judges, about this matter and after thinking it out carefully had come (o (he conclusion that it would not be produclive of the best result?. Competition was sometimes very keen and a man required to givo Iho whole of his thoughts to the selection of (he various animals for their respective places and the delay caused lo exhibitors by the time, the judgo would require to explain the points of the placed animals might seriously interfere with the time at his disposal. Ho would, however, have no objection to explain to young farmers in charge of the class steward, the points, say, in two classes, milk cows and aged bulls, beforo they left' the ring, say,-10 minutes to each of the abore classes. • ■ ' '

New Blood Needed. ' i Mr. Wm. Taylor, To Awanintu, a Shorthorn judge, also agreed with tho idea and said he would hove no objection to oxplaining his awards. JJo thought the nrnntrnr judge should get his lessons amongst: stock ho does liot know. Jlc would bo pleased to assist, any association in tho matter of "the coming judges" as there wore not' too ninny judges now and tho old judges could nol go on for ever. Mr. E. Armstrong. Akitio, a judge of light horses, considered tlie idea a very good one indeed. 110 would not object to have a man attend him while judging, and to discuss points and explain to him the reasons for tho awards. Mr. E. I). O'Horkc, Auckland, thought tho scheme a most excellent and necessary one. which should be- encouraged, Ho would be only too doliglifecd to explain his reasons for awarding a. prizo at any time. He bad agreed to havo a young inftn with liim thn last tirao ho judged ot AVnnganui. "I feel sure," Mr. 0 liorke added,- "the societies will in tho near future bo in want of young men judges, and I therefore, thoroughly ondorso your wav of hclpink them along." ''in my opinion, tuiyono desirous of learning judging slionld be put oa as a senior steward, was tho opinion oxnrcised by Mr. J. Knight, Pcilding, a Down trwdcrt •Iα thwt..J?ositioiij 1 ...1vg .urgedj

much could be learned, and at (lie same time Hie judge would l>o assisted. As a l'ula, a judge had not 100 much time for discussing and explaining points, Air. iloliii 11. Perrott, Sanson (Lciccsters) said ho had not the slightest objection to anyone accompanying him whilst judging, in order to gnin information,, oud tho only objection that he could sec would be want of lime, as frequently judges had all .they could do to get through tho work in the time allowed. However, it was absolutely necessary that something of the sort should be done, as there wore very few young judges coining forward, nnd tho old ones would not last for ever.

The Chairman's Views. Tho chairman said lie saw no reason ivliy (he scheme .should not bo put into effect at the next show. They must see, however, (hat in 110 ease must a student block or interfere with the judge, 110, did not think 'the students should po into tho nun until the judge had mado his award. ]t was tlio breeders' sons they wanted to bring out. A judgo could do nil that the association would, expect him to do in three or four minutes. It was a big tiling tlio society was undertaking, and it was a lead bigger, associations might take, as thev could go into it in a much larger scale than they (the Carterton Society) could. I'hero was no doubt about tho soundness of-tho. idea. Alter some general discussion, tho following suggested rules were drafted for submission to a general meeting of tho societyEntries to close at tho usual time of entries for the show, and to be received for any breed of stock. If more than three entries, tho first thrco to 1m drawn for. Two classes in each section (male and female) throughout.the schedule be selected for the amateur to receive his instruction on. 011 no account shall students speak to tho judge or interfere with him in any way when judging until he has mado liia awards, nml handed tliem to tho steward. _ • Students (0 be supplied with plain, cards, on which they .shall state reasons for their awards, and the position in which prize animals are plaoed. The society to retain these cards, which shall 1 be handed to tho stewards in clinrgo after the jmlgo lias given his report, and.kept by the society for future reference. A further rule was drafted, providing that a register containing the names of all amateur judges who receive training at the society's shows shall bo kept, as well as n record of good reports on tho amateurs given by tho judges. Tho . idea is that every help in the direction of having them placed on tho official list of judges, etc., shall bo given to tlioßo mentioned as possessing special qualifications. A special meeting is to bo lield on Sep> tember 29 to consider tho proposed regu-. lations. ■ ■ . .