GRADING COMPETITIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 June 1924, Page 7

GRADING COMPETITIONS.

GOVERNMENT OFFICERS IMIMFRESSED. The great entries amongst factory managers and assistants for the grading competitions at the show (says the Waikato Times) have earned special, comment from the officers of the Dairy Division. Speaking to a Times reporter, these gentlemen compared the present large entries with those of a few years ago, when the competition was started and when it was held under very ordinary conditions. At that time the Government graders believed that the half-crown subscription from each man was a. sufficient sum in the total for prize-money for such a competition, and the conditions under which the butter and cheese were judged was very unfavourable owing to the inadequate accommodation. Gradually. however, the competition began to assume greater importance; and a fillip was given to it by the donation by the Farmers’ Freezing Company of £SO to be used as prize-money. To this the Show Association added £25, while the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Co. gave a handsome gold medal, SO' that the competition is now one well worth entering for. The divisional officers were much impressed with the enthusiasm displayed by the large number of entrants who tyok part in this year s competition. It was quite inspiring to see a gathering of nearly 80 factory representatives from all parts of the Dominion vieing with" each other in computing the points of the prize* winning butter and cheese. The officers of the division" regarded the competitions as most beneficial to managers and assistants, and particularly so to the industry. They consider that this annual- competition is now an essential part of the education of butter and cheese-makers. It is only by coming together in such friendly rivalry that they have an opportunity of comparing the quality of the produce of others with their own and of gainiim: actual knowledge of the lines upon which the Government graders work. The officers considered that the competition would continue to grow and would become one of the most important features of future shows.