N.Z. FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 July 1924, Page 11

N.Z. FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual general meeting of the association there were about fifty mem. hers present-, Mr. W. D Hunt (president) being in the chair. The annual report was read as follows : In presenting the annual report to members your council has pleasure in reporting that the past year has been a particularly successful one, and that the popularity of the Friesian breed is on the ascendant. This is evident from the number of transfers registered during the'year, and it must be anticipated that many non-member purchasers, especially of ■ females, will soon become members of the association in order that the progeny of ti'heir purchases may be registered. The average results obtained for semiofficial testing are the highest since the inception of testing in 1913; 162 certificates were- issued, with an average production of 14,752.31 b milk and 515.621 b butter-fat. The • number of certificates granted during the year shows a slight fallmg-off. This is a matter that must be seriously considered by all breeders, as it is of the utmost importance from every point of view, and is the one -thing that will tell more than anything (else in displaying the great productive qualities of the. breed ancl in promoting generally the interests of your association. It is sincerely hoped that more breeders. will test —it is a paying proposition to do so. as buyers are waking up to the fact that they must have butter-fat hacking for their sires especially, and the better the hacking the better the price obtainable. Again, a large number of Friesiam have been exported overseas, the majority going to Australia. Many, however, have gone to Fiji, and during the year the first shipment to South America was made. It is anticipated that these markets will lead to future business for members. Several important changes were made in the working of the association during the year, and the following new measures have been introduced: (a) Notification of births in herds; (b) photograph on transfer of every animal transferred, and subsequent certification by the secretary of the correctness of the colour markings compared with those on the original entry; (c) granting of an export certificate under the seal of the association for all animals sold for overseas countries.

The financial position of the association has improved during the year. It will be noted from balance-sheets which have been sent to’-members that the amount paid out for testing refunds has fallen from £6lB 16s .to £257 17s. Had- the old system of refund been in force, payments would have aggregated over £BSO for the year. Members will notice that the- accounts are published in a slightly different form. Heretofore receipts on account of the Derby' have been shown as ordinary revenue, whereas this amount is in the nature of a special receipt, to which the association riiust look, for the payment of prize money in the competition. Last year the deficit for the year was, £399 7s 9d, but, had the amount received on account of the Derby been treated as is the case in the accounts before you the deficit would have been £6207 Your council is pleased to report that this ’year’s accounts show a surplus of £372 3s 5d for the year’ sworking, which makes. the financial position £992 4s 2d ahead of last year. From entries, transfers, etc., received b.V the office staff of the association it is very evident that many breeders are not keeping accurate herd registers. Your council wishes to impress upon breeders the absolute necessity of keeping accurate, and adequate private records. Pocket herd registers have been printed, and a supply of' these is available at a low cost. Some breeders do not even know the names of their own registrations, and this throws a great deal of unnecess-ni’y correspondence" and searching on the office staff. The coming year will see the first Royal Show in New Zealand. Your council has secured two very fine challenge clips for male and female champion animals. These cups are valued at nearly £15(1 and each year the winner will receive a replica' of the cup. Your council trusts that the Friesian exhibit at the first Royal Show will be far and away the finest exhibit of Friesians ever seen south of the line. At the same show competition will take place for the Wilber remembrance trophy—a very fine trophv oresented by the Hon. D. F. Wilber, 'late Consul for the United States of America in New Zealand.

The council wishes to take this opportunity of noting its appreciation of the services of Mr. IV. M. Singleton and the staff of the Dairy Division for their co-operation and assistance during the year.

In accordance with the rules, Messrs M. E. A Gill, H. R. Green H. E. Johnson, and E. M. North retire from the council. Nominations received to fill the four vacancies were: Messrs R. C. Allen, A. S. Elworthy, W. E. A. Gill, H. R. Green, H. E. Johnson, E. M. North, and G. M. Watt. Part of the business of this meeting shall he the election of a president two vicepresidents, treasurer, and auditor. The president said the ward system had been again considered, aijd it was decided to make no alteration at present. It had been found that’the representation’ was fairly well spread. The four old members of the Council were re-elected—Messrs H. R. Green (Palmerston North), E. North (Southland), H. E. Johnson (Hawera), and Fi._A. Gill (Wellington). In regard to the balance-sheet, the chairman gave some particulars contrasting- the figures with last year’s, these being shown in parentheses. He showed that printing and alvertisinp was this year £867 (£982) ; testing refunds, £258 (£618) ; travelling, £163 (£184); salaries, £749 (£680); rent, £lll (£B2). On the income side—subscriptions £1096 (£1105) ; entry fees, £1589 (£1105) ; transfer fees, £470 (£372), while the balance of profit and loss was £720 as against £4OB last year.

In regard to testing refunds, the president said that it was intended to reduce the amount paid out and to give instead an amount of £5 5s to each breeder putting in his first c-cw for testing. The change' from prizes to those whose tested cows exceeded the record in the various classes to assistance in testing was made on account of the difficulty in inducing breeders to begin testing. The Department were unable to make any change in the foe for first test because the Government, had decided the work must pay its way. and as long as this was the case Mr Singleton was unable to do anv more to help. The Council decided, therefore, to caneel the prizes given and to pay to each ‘-first tester” half the fee charged by the Department. They intended to endeavour to get the Government to cut out the other half, so that in this event the Council would pay' the £5 ss, and youyg breeders would get the cows in free. They considered this was beter than giving prizes, hut one. exception was to he made, in that the prizes would be continued for cows now undeir test, as they had been entered under that condition. The nevr

scheme would operate for all cattle coming under test after July 1. In regard to district committees, who had been responsible for keeping up interest and had done useful, work in maintaining they had had difficulty in raising funds, and it often devolved on them to also pay expenses out of their own pockets. In future the subscription would be raised to £2 2s, instead of £1 ll.s 6d. the extra amount tojbe paid over to the district committees in place of subsidies now paid. In this way the committees would have funds to carry oil the work of the association.

Mr C. J. Payne (Dunedin) said that testing has been often blocked by the fee charged, -but- the allowance would have proved very welcome. He believed that assisting of local associations was very valuable, '> which would have a good effect. He stressed the point that the Dominion Association should make a big effort and get out pamphlets for the furtherance of information about the breed.

Mr Trousdale (Auckland) endorsed the views of the previous sneaker, and said there should be an advisory committee for every district, and that old breeders should take a hand in giving information. He piade an appeal on behalf of registration of hulls, and said that there were too many scrubs amongst registered animals. He urged a campaign throughout New Zealand, and that the association should lead the way. He also referred to railway transport, which was very unfavourable. In his opinion, in view of the Royal Show, rapid transport should he arranged, as the journey was too long for first,quality animals. The chairman said the council had the matter in hand, and were cooperating with other breed societies to interview the department. Mr C. Marchant gave an experience with shipping of animals which showed the necessity for improvement. This ended the discussion, and the motion for adoption of the report was carried. OFFICIAL JUDGES.

A remit was brought up suggesting tu o lists of judges, one of those qualified to judge at metropolitan shows and of those also qualified to act at other shows. The president said the present pietliod was to make a list, of judges for the district committee to revise, and then an official list to he distributed to the A. and P. Associations. He considered, that demonstrations were the best means of securing good judges, who should be able to give reasons for awards.

A northern delegate gave his opinion that it was as necessary to have the best judges for shows- outside the centres as for the big centres. Mr C. Marchant stressed the same point very strongly, and said that some of the strongest associations were not metropolitan, and would not at all appreciate getting any but the best judges. PRESIDENT. Mr W. D. Hunt was re-elected: unopposed, the motion being carried with enthusiasm. This concluded the business, and the meeting adjourned.