VETERINARY CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3255, 21 April 1943, Page 3

VETERINARY CLUB

ANNUAL HELD ELECTION OF OFFICERS BIG GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP The annual meeting of the Farmers’ Veterinary Club was held at Ngatea on Monday afternoon, the president, Mr J. Spence, presiding over a small attendance of members.

The balance sheet disclosed that the club was in an excellent financial position with a credit balance at the bank amounting to £350 2s 6d, while outstanding subscriptions, medicine accounts, excess visits, service visits, etc., totalled £553 10s 7d. Drugs in stock and paid for were valued at £240, showing that the club had liquid assets totalling £1143 13s Id. Income exceeded expenditure for the year by £413 10s Bd.

Growth of Membership

The president, in his review of the year’s operations, stated that there had been a considerable increase in membership from 240 at the beginning of the year to 310 in the flush of the season, falling to 285 at March 31, 1943, a net increase of 45 members.

The president’s report continued as under:—

“The financial position has shown an improvement. The income has 'been £2127, expenditure £1713, leaving a balance of income over expenditure of £413, which is £llo' more, than last year.

“Assets show a still greater growth having grown from £865 to £1395, a difference of £530. This is due mainly to a cash balance of £350, an appreciation on the dwelling of £53 (owing to certain improvements) and an increase in the stock of medicine from £166 10s to £240; and a greater amount outstanding for subscriptions, £268 15s from £159 17s last year.

Need for Expansion

“We think the time has come for further expansion, and negotiations are in progress between the committee and a veterinary college in Canada, in an effort to obtain a graduate from that source. So far nothing conclusive has been done.

“The building or buying of suitable premises for a dispensary and bulk store has been considered. The present room is leased only on a weekly basis and is not suitable for the project that the committee has in mind.” Good Work By Staff In moving the adoption of the bal-ance-sheet the president expressedhis appreciation of the good work done by the assistant his assistant and the secretary, stating that it was due to their efforts that the club had prospered so well.

The election of officers resulted as under:—President, Mr J. Spence; vice-presidents, Messrs C. W. Schultz and C. W. Waite ;committee, Messrs R. G. Mclntosh, C. W. Waite, V. Barriball, G. Phillips and A. Constantine; auditor, Mr E. A. Mahoney. Report of Surgeon The veterinary surgeon, Dr. N. Seigel, reported as under:— “I recommenced duties in the past season on April 1, 1942, and have been joined by the assistant, Mr R. Burkt, on August 1 last year, closing up the financial year on March 31, 1943. In this period we have made 1610 visits and travelled 18,096 miles.

“In the course of my duties I had to attend to cases of all branches of general veterinary practise, i.e., (1) clinical cases, (2) obstetrical cases, (3) surgical cases. All clinical cases have been treated according to modern methods of veterinary science and I have been quite satisfied with the results.

Surgical Operations “The obstetrical operations are mostly confined to the months from July to November and all effort has been made to give the members the most satisfactory assistance possible under the circumstances. “Many interesting surgical operations have been performed all the year round. “Contagious mammitis and infertility in cattle are the two diseases which still constitute the main problem among our dairy stock and the economical losses to the district each year are undoubtedly very high. As far as contagious mammitis is concerned, no specific treatment has yet been evolved by veterinary research workers. Many cases of mammitis due to other than infectious causes such as digestive disorders, etc., have been treated accordingly with satisfactory results. Problem of Infertility “The Problem of Infertility: I have been called to attend to many herds for treatment of infertility. In most

cases it was temporary sterility. The cause of it in my opinion is:—■

“(1) Selective breeding with the object of constantly stepping up production.

“(2) The high strain put on her system due to parturition lactation, etc., during the winter months and the low digestive ratio in. this district in the winter months. “A lot more could be done if members would call for assistance earlier, as many called rather late in the season.

“Need, for Laboratory: The club is expanding. The members are informed through technical journals of the progress of veterinary science. They expect modern and effective treatment. This cannot be achieved without the assistance of a modern laboratory. The need is urgent; without it the veterinary service is only fragmentary. “Thanking you for the past assistance and wishing you the best of success for the future.” Research Laboratory It was decided to secure a full report from the surgeon on the possibility of establishing a research laboratory at Ngatea together with the probable cost of same. It was agreed to purchase a distiller for the surgeon’s use. Left To The Committee

After considerable discussion on a notice of motion moved by Mr C. W. Schultz “to rescind resolution giving 20 per cent, of net profit on medicine to the veterinary surgeon,” it was left to the committee to go into the matter with the surgeon and later call a general meeting of the club if necessary.