SCHOOL FARM WORK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 December 1925, Page 3

SCHOOL FARM WORK.

CALF-BEARING 'COMPETITIONS. SELECTING THE CHAMPIONS. The last stage in the calf-rearing competitions under the aegis of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs ivas reached yesterday at Eltliam, when the winning entries in the six groups passed before the eyes of the judges for them to select the champion calves, for the year. The result was that N. Walker, of Ohangai, won the championship for Jerseys, and M. Major, Bawhitiroa, for Eriesians. There were twenty-seven calves paraded, sixteen Jerseys and eleven Friesians and Shorthorns. As the entries were the pick of the various districts, it was expected that the competition would be keen, and in this anticipation there was not disappointment,. for the quality throughout was remarkably good and even, for, as the judges said, there was not a poor one in the yard. It. was gratifying to see that parents had taken in earnest the invitation given to them to be present and to show thereby to their children that they took some interest in the _ work. There was quite a large gathering of children, parents and officials, and much enthusiasm prevailed. It was bad luck for the Te Itoti entries, owing to an accident, in which one calf fell from a dray and broke one of its hind legs, that they were unable to reach Eltliam in time for the judging. But it is worth recording that only three out of the total number entered were not present, although they had many of them long distances to come, some from Toko and Finnerty in the north, Bawhitiroa in the east, and Manaia and Tokaom in the south. THE LAST GBOHPiS. Previous to the championships Groups 11. and IY. were judged. The former included Mangatoki, ISgaere, Stratford. Toko, and Douglas, and the latter Te Boti, Bawhitiroa and Imnerty. The awards were as below: — Group 11. Jerseys.

The judges on condition were Messrs W. McL’Dowie, L. S. Barraelougli and Jenkins, and on dairy type (special class), Messrs F. Hoskin and H. J. Marchant. The organiser was Mr Eod Svrne, and there were also present Messrs B. Dunn, A. J. G. Ford and Dill Macky.

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS. So soon as the groups were completed the competitors .lined up tor the championship. It was a muster of wellcrrown and in most cases a good type of calves, such as is rarely seen in a show ring. All did their owners credit, and evoked much commendation from iudges and spectators alike. ine judges had no light- task in making their awards, the evenness of quality being so very marked. The awards of points Secured were as below, the whole of the group winners being given in order to. show the even nature oi the competitions :

It should be mentioned that a fine type of Friesian, which won easily at Kaponga, was by oversight not brought over to Eltham. It was considered certain this calf would have run the winners very close. , Dairy Type. A special competition, prizes being collected from the spectators, was held for dairy type, and resulted: Jersey.—J. Kirk (Auroa) 1, R. Taylor (Ngaere) 2, N. Parker (Ararata) 3. Friesian.—C. Betts (Okaiawa) 1, M. Jones (Finnerty) 2, A. Sextus (Strat-’ ford) 3!

The amount collected was 535, each first prize being 13s 6d, second 7s 6d, and third ss. CONGRATULATIONS.

At the close of the judging Mr R. Dunn (president of the Farmers’ Union Executive) briefly addressed the children. He first expressed his great pleasure at seeing such good entries and close competition; also the large attendance of parents. Speaking of the calves, he gave it as his opinion that he had never, in all liis experience, seen a better or more even lot of calves. They were a credit to the children who had reared them. He stressed the great reason for the establishment of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, which was to endeavour to keep the young people on the land and prevent the drift to the towns. He reminded the children that whereas in the towns there were only a few good places at the top, in farming the top was so broad that there was plenty of room for everyone. It was of first importance to have primary producers, to keep up supplies of butter, cheese, meat and wool, to build up the exports of the Dominion, which must not only pay for the imports, but leave a credit balance after meeting other national expenditure. Therefore farmers should produce ever more and more.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs_ had experienced rather a difficult time, hut this time they had taken a fresh lease of life, all concerned having done really good work. The parents had taken more interest, and the suoervisors had done splendidly. The judges deserved the hearty thanks of all for the time and trouble they gave to the work, and

to them all the executive expressed its hearty appreciation. The Prime Munster had urged more production, and the clubs were one method of securing that desired end, for they educated the children in the care of calves and influenced them in staying on the land. He hoped the success of the clubs would continue and that the organisations ivould increase. Mr W. McL’Dowie, speaking for the judges. said they were extremely pleased at the duality of the exhibits, for they were the finest lot of calves thev had ever seen. The animals were a real credit to the children who had reared them. He considered that the cutting out of the cost of rearing had been a great help to the competitions. Mr Dunn also "referred to the charts, and • said that one or two of the competitors had lost marks because their charts were not well done, and he urged the teachers to help the children in this resnect. The winner in the Jersey championship. N. Walker, of Okaiawa, has been in the winning lists every year. She or her sister gained first at their school each year since the competitions started. then in their group for two years, and the good Tecord has been completed this year hv securing the championship. In the Friesians the third competitor was first last year, and the winners have always been leaders in their groups. This concluded a_ verv interesting and instructive series of competitions, which ha'r'e been ouite the best in the histoi-v of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, and have amply demonstrated their usefulness. The prospects for next year are better thap ever. For this a, good deal of credit is due to Mr E. K. Gameron. +he secretary of the South Taranaki Executive of the Farmers’ Union, anrl to Mr Ttod. Svme. agricultural instructor +0 the Education Board, who have taken a. lot of trouble in popularising the competitions. and in encouraging the exhibitors. The officer® of the Agricultural Department, and fisipociallv M’- A. I. Glasson. are also to he thanked for their hearty co-onera-tiou. All concerned in the movement have, in fact, made a enema! effort this venr. and the Tesult has been most encouraging.

Condition Chart Total G. Anderson (Toko) 100 45 145 Tj. "White (Douglas) OS 43 141 G. Taylor (Ngaere) 92 46 13S R. Tavlor (Ngaexe) 92 4 5 137 B. Tarrant (Ngaere) 94 42 136 Friesians. A. Sextus (Sfcratford) 100 35 135 A. Hoskin (Mangatoki) 92 37 129 Group IV. Jerseys. M. Christensen. (Finnerty) ....... 100 39 139 J. Gernhoefer (Rarvhitiroa) 96 40 136 O. McDonald (Ra--svhitiroa) .... 88 43 131 F. Babington (Finnerty) 94 30 124 B. Suter (Finnerty) 90 33 123 C. Babington (Finnerty) 90 30 120 Friesians. M. Major (Rawhitiroa) 98 44 142 E. Major (Rawhitiroa') 100 ' 40 140 M. Jones; (Finnerty) 96 43 139 F. Christensen (Finnerty) 94 37 JLi5l B. Ogle (Finnerty) 80 45 125

Jerseys. Cond. Chart. Tl. N. Walker. Okaiawa .. 100 42 142 G. Anderson, Toko ... 95 45 140 E. Bennett, Normanby 97 41 138 E. Rakers, Manaia ... 95 43 138 C. Rothery, Manaia ... 94 44 138 N. Christensen, Finnerty 9S 39 137 U. Glenn, Ohangnj ... 91 45 136 N. Evans, Oeo 91 44 135 b. White, Douglas ... 89 43 132 N. Parker, Ararata ... 88 44 132 J. Gernhoefer, Rawhiti- , roa 91 40 131 0 Tait, Anroa 91 40 131 N. Kelly. Matapu 86 45 131 G. T.avlor, Ngaere ... 83 46 129 O. McDonald, Rawhitiroa 83 43 126 J. Kirk, Auroa 88 36 124 Friesian-Shorthorn. M. Major. Rawhitiroa 96 44 140 E. Major, Rawhitiroa 9S 40 138 M. Jones, Finnerty ... 93 43 136 B. Seed, Matapu S7 46 133 A. Seed, Matapu 87 45 132 R. Foreman, Tawhiti 100 32 132 C. Betts, Okaiawa ... 8940 129 A. Sextus, Stratford 94 35 129 E. Walker, Ohangai ... 87 39 126 J. Johnson, Hawera .. 85 41 126 A. Hoskiii, Mangatolri 83 37 120