FARMING COMPETITIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 August 1926, Page 6

FARMING COMPETITIONS.

PRESENTATIONS OF PRIZES.

MANAIA FARMERS’ UNION

SOCIAL.

Notwithstanding unfavourable weather conditions, there was a good attendance at the annual social evening and presentation of prizes conducted by the Manaia branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening. - The president of the branch, Mr J. Dakers, presided, aid among those present were Messrs J. W.. Deem and A. J. Glasson (Department of Agriculture) and Rod Syme (agriculture instructor in South Taranaki schools). Mr Deem presented the prizes awarded in the tanners field competitors, and Mr Syme local and group prizes in the Boys’ and Girls Club competitions.

In introducing Mr Syme, the chairman stated that the local prizes were presented as a result of the generosity of local residents, in addition to the group prizes awarded by the clubs’ executive.

Prior to making the presentation, Mr Syme paid a tribute to the valuable assistance given to this all-important work. Sometimes, as ho passed from district to district, engaged on judging, he wondered if the clubs were doing the work that they might, for while the work judged was generally of high quality, there was not sufficient of it. The fault of this was probably due to the parents who allowed their children too much money, and in this respect local prizes might not be of so much value as it might be thought. Of course, it could not be said that if less prizemoney was offered for the competition, more entries would result, but he felt that tlic lessening should be done at home. A suggestion that might be worthy of serious consideration was the donation of a trophy for. the school securing highest points in the competitins. This would introduce the principle of working for one’s school rather than for oneself, which was desirable, and he felt would result in a great encouragement to pupils whose, attitude to the competitions was at present merely a lukc-warm interest. It seemed that there should be more entries from Manaia, but what impressed those 1 engaged in the control, was that the majority of those who competed, entered systematically, year after year, and generally with excellent results. The past season could be regarded as one of the most successful since the inauguration of the clubs, as the total entries—270—was the second highest yet received. Those should reach 500 and even higher, in order that the work should not be confined to so few of tlie children. The movement, was indeed an excellent one, but could be improved if

a little more variety was introduced

After presenting the prizes, Mr Synie referred to the amount of hard work necessary to bring the plots forward to the judging stage, and he hoped that as they left school the boys and girls would enter in the senior division and keep their plots up to the same standard as they had the smaller ones. The local branch of the union should be congratulated, he continued, for the keen interest taken in the clubs. As for as the Manaia branch was concerned there was nothing lacking, for in addition to providing local prizes, donations to the central executive were always freely made.

Tlic local Boys’ and Girls’ Club awards were as follows: —

Billy Dakers, first in carrots and calfrearing, and second in mangolds. Betty Lawson, first in mangolds and second in carrots. G. Spencer, third in carrots.

Clara Rothery, second in calf-rearing. Bessie Young, first in calves (dairy type) and third in rearing. .Tack Young and Ronald Hosio, second equal in calves (dairy type). Group and championship awards were:—

Billy Dakers, second in group and third in championship for calf-rearing. Clara Rothery, third in group and third in championship for calf-rearing. Mr Deem, prior to presenting the prizes for the field competitions, reiterated Mr Byrne’s statement to the effect that the same competitors and winners came forward every year, hut Warned the farmers that the. youths Who would be joining in the senior division classes and later.in the field competitions would cause the elder competitors to look to their laurels.

The prizes were presented as fol lows:—

J. Dakers, first in mangolds and firstyear lucerne and carrots (runner-up for the Sutton Cup). L. Stoddart, tiyst in two-year lucerne, third in mangolds. N. Iv. McLeod, second in carrots and swedes, third in old stand lucerne. E. .1. Betts, first in swedes, third in carrots. E. G. Betts, third in swedes. J. Lawson, second in mangolds. .1. T. Claguc, first in old stand lucerne. H. Stanford and W. Bourke, second equal, first-year lucerne. T. Paterson, second in second-year and old stand lucerne. Mr Glasson, in referring to the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, said he was pleased that the branch saw fit to provide local prizes, as beside indicating that the

general public were taking an interest, these lent encouragement to the competitors. The children, he urged, should not be content with securing local prizes, but for the honour of the school and district to endeavour to win trroup ancl championship awards. The Clubs still continued to do well and promised a bright future. There was still, however, need to encourage children to remain on the land in order to< prevent the drift to the towns, which for a young country like New Zealand was proving serious. Mr A. G. Bennett expressed his sympathy with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club movement, but remarked on the fact that agricultural science which was acknowledged to be of vital importance, was not now taught in the primary schools, although a number of years ago it had been taught there, though under another name. The establishment of an agricultural college was a very good idea, but it would only benefit the man of fine intellect, for only he would have the opportunity of going to the college. Supper was served by the ladies, after which the floor was cleared for dancing, which brought a pleasant function to a happy close at a late hour. During the early part of the evening an excellent musical programme was given by the following performers:— Songs, Misses Lloyd and G. Betts, Messrs Beid, Badland, H. Wills, and J. Burgess; elocution, Master Jones and Mr J. Forrester; pianoforte duet, Miss Edna and Master Billy Dakers. During the supper interval a hearty vote of appreciation to the assisting performers, to Messrs Deem, Glasson and Svme, to the ladies for preparing supper, and to Messrs Bennett and J. J. Paterson for the donation of trophies, was carried by acclamation.