BOYS AND GIRLS’

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 62, 10 August 1944, Page 2

BOYS AND GIRLS’

AGRICULTURAL CLUB. KAIKOURA GROUP. ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1943-44. The annual report of the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club (Kaikoura Group) states: — The work of the committee has been generally along the lines of the previous year, and has been concerned with the encouragement of home gardens (flower and vegetable) and live stock projects, and the running of the annual show.

Home Gardens: These projects, mainly kitchen gardens and flower gardens, again showed an increase over the previous year. There were 116 entries for kitchen gardens and 36 for flower gardens. Of these there were 98 and 21 competitors respectively, compared with 65 and 12 for 1942-43. In addition there were several special crops. The total entries for all plots were 186, with 132 completions (90 and 77 total entries for all plots for 1942-43). The judges reported a high standard of work, which is evidenced by the fact that 74 ! firqj-class certificates were awarded, with 32 second-class, 16 third-class, and 10 merit. Kitchen gardens were judged by Messrs J. A. Johnston and J. F. Cleary, and flower gardens by Mesdames P. S. and D. M. Ross. Sweet pea projects were disappointing, as were results for the growing of winter vegetables, in both cases largely owing to a long dry spell shortly after* planting. Live Stock Projects; A most success ful parade of calves, yearlings and lambs was held at the Suburban School in December. The judges in both sections Messrs P. S. Humrn and W. H. Dalzell (calves and yearlings) and Mr J. J. Harnett (lambs) —expressed satisfaction with the standard of work. Over 50 parents and many children attended, in addition to the exhibitors, and a very full and useful day resulted. Lunch was held in the grounds, with hot water provided by Mr and Mrs R. P. McLoughlin. Calf entries were slightly below those of last yeai (12), with 5 yearlings and 20 lambs (an increase of 8). Handling of animals showed a further improvement. In the chicken rearing projects there were gour completions out of 8 entries, a satisfactory beginning. Flower and Vegetable Show: This was held in March of this year. Entries totalled 722 (475 for 1943), with 119 entries in the cut flower section, 214 jn the decorative, 112 in the miniature garden, and 274 in the vegetable section.

The thanks of the committee are due to the County Council for the use of the Drill Hall, together with the tables and trestles belonging to the Council. Judging was done by Mesdames A. S. Robinson and M. Edgar (flowers); Mr P. S. Humm and Miss J. Edwards (miniature gardens); and Messrs F. H. Hayward and W. Hitchcock (vegetables) f to whom thanks are due for carrying out an arduous task to the satisfaction of all. Thanks are diTe, also, to those teachers who helped throughout the day, and to the boys and girls of the High School for their work as stewards, doorkeepers, and tea stewards.

The show was open in the afternoon and evening, and approximately 300 adults attended. Door takings amounted to £7 7/, and afternoon tea takings to £4 9/, while the sale of vegetables brought in £5 8/1. As decided by the committee, the display stand was made. This served well, and provided extra space and the nyaterial for two more stands for 1945 was generously promised by Mr A. E. Lee.

Worthy of mention was the dahlia section, which had 54 exhibits. It will be remembered that the committee purchased some tubers, and Mrs Humm donated others for home gardens. The executive the provision for the coming year of gladiolus, and, or chrysanthemums (early). Finances: The year began with a credit of £25 7/4, and ended with a credit of £l6 9/8. Income came largely from the show, supplemented by generous donations from Mrs D. M. Ross, Mrs I. F. Mclver, and Mr J. J. Harnett, and the expenditure for the year nett, Kaikoura Branch of the R.S. A.., and the expenditure for the year amounted to £32 11/9, compared with £3 10/4 for last year. The chief items of expenditure were for seeds and plants (£8 6/9), timber for show (£3 lfi/3), grant to school clubs (£3 15/), and transport (£6 8/9). It can therefore be seen that the committee’s work has been considerably extended during the past year owing to its better financial position, and this expenditure brought much better results than could otherwise have been achieved. With the prospect of the number of projects increasing, the building up of the funds to meet coming expenditure should be considered. In this connection there is a recommendation from the executive that the charge for cr'r” to the show be increased. Thanks: The committee wishe.

express its thanks to the judges, to supporters who made donations and provided plants, to parents for their encouragement of the children’s work, and to the many others who helped the work of the club during the year, including the Kaikoura Star for publicity. The committee w'ould also like to extend its congratulations to the children who completed projects of such a high standard and to those who exhibited at the annual show. Constituent School Clubs: During the season it was decided to make a small grant to individual school clubs, so that domestic club ‘matters could be pupil-managed and pupils share responsibility for club work. The executive recommends a continuation of this grant. Prizes: Arising out of a recommendation from the Ninth Canterbury Boys’ and Girls’ Club Advisory comnjittee, it was decided “that it be the policy of this gromp that no prizes or trophies be given.” Projects or exhibit rtificates were, of course, distributed us for last year.