AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 November 1924, Page 3

AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING. 1 ' , 1 / < The half-yearly meeting of the New f Zealand Ayrshire Cattle -Breeders’ Asso- ] ciation was held in the' Breeders’ Club, Palmerston North, on Wednesday night, when Mr A. H. Hansen presided over a " large attendance. * The chairman expressed his pleasure at seeing so many members from all over New Zealand present. It was gratifying to see such a. large attendance. MEMBERS’ FEES. Mr T. Webb moved: “That all previous resolutions dealing with members’ fees be rescinded, and that the following regulation be substituted: “That each member shall pay an annual subscription of £1 11s 6d, this fee to include the cost of the herd book, ami that life members receive the herd book , on payment of 10s 6d. ” Mr Webb i stated that the idea was well received in Hamilton. 1 Mr Kyle, while.not wishing to oppose the motion, said that there was a danger of the- herd book costing more to publish in the future and the association might find itself losing on the transaction. Mr Fred Mills, senior (Hawera) said that he was in sympathy with the motion. He would like, however, to see ( the question considered by a larger meeting, as it was an important matmatter. He thoqght that in the case of ; two people, on the same farm joining the association, one would be paying form herd book which would he wasted. If the motion were carried there was \ a possibility of losing some members. However, those likely to drop out were not sufficiently interested in the association, and could very well be dropped. j Mr R. M. Somerville (Te Kuiti) considered that the points raised by Mr Mills were worthy of consideration. , Touching on the herd book question, lie , expressed the opinion that sufficient ' herd hooks should he reserved for future breeders. There was no doubt that the breed was coining into, its own, and he thought that provision should he made for a large increase in the ranks of tile breeders. After further discussion, the motion was carried unanimously. IMPORTATION OF BULLS. , The hull importation scheme was then discussed, the method of importing being reviewed. -The chairman expressed the opinion that it might be possible to better the arrangements. Mr Somerville stated that what was wanted was not numbers, but quality. If the selection committee had a free hand to purchase up to what the association could afford, it would, result in better bulls being shipped. It was better to import, say, five bulls of the best type than 10 others. Mr R. \Y. Robertson (New Plymouth) said that the selection committee would have to be carefully instructed as to what class of bull was required. Mr E. AA\ Olliver (Tasmania) stated that the greatest care should be taken as to what was imported from Scotland. Better cattle could be found in the colonies. The heads of the Scotch cattle were not of the best- type. The association should stipulate that the tests of the cattle should be at least 4 per cent. American cattle, lie thought, would not be suitable for this country. The discussion then dropped while other business was dealt with. Later the matter was dealt with in eommittee. TATTOOING OE CATTLE. Mr J. Kyle (Palmerston North) moved as a .recommendation to the council that the question of tattooing cattle receive special consideration. There was nothing to stop dishonest breeders from tattooing calves in such a manner as to give buyers a false impression. For instance, one cow might lose its calf and another be substituted. Mr AY. -J. Jenkins (Canterbury) thought that no complications had been met with in the past m regard to this matter. He had always found breeders honest, and tattooing would not, be thought, be a remedy if the latter were necessary. As a matter of fact, a neighbour of his, on rounding up his cattle, could not tefl one from another by means of the marks. Mr Kyle’s motion, on being put to the meeting, was carried. JUDGE’S IMPRESS!OXS. Mr E. N. Oliver, who judged the Ayrshires at the show, in discussing the breed, stated that it luid been a pleasure to see the cattle exhibited. \Yhile not wishing to make comparisons, he would like to point out that, in Tasmania, the Ayrshire was always sure to win against all other breeds. The breed was. he thought, nearer perfection than any other, and the cattle in New Zealand compared very favourably with those in Australia. Mr Oliver’s remarks were greeted with applause, and lie was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. GENER AL. ’ Mr AY. Boyd (Waikato) gave a brief account of his recent visit to England } and Scotland. In his opinion, some > cattle in the herds be had seen were inclined to be a little heavy in the