GORE FANCIERS' CLUB.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1146, 14 February 1903, Page 2

GORE FANCIERS' CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. There was a moderate attendance at the animal meeting of the Gore Fanciers' Club last night, when the president (Mr B. MoNab, M.H.R.) was in the ohair. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The following report was read:— Tour oommittee have to oongratulate members upon the Bucoess of the paat year's show. Th 6 entries were not only larger in nnmber than the previous year, but were aIBO of superior quality in several of the breeds, notably the Minoroa. The number of entries was 402, as compared with 352 the previous year. This shows that, while making allowance for the attraction whioh the championship for Minorcas had given to the show, there was yet a very considerable advance upon the number of entries at last show.

In order that seme incentive, and, if possible, instruction, should be given to those anxious to embark in the industry of exporting frozen poultry, the committee, taking advantage of a visit of lsr Truby King, an undoubted authority, to the district, interviewed that gentleman, who gave a very interesting address, and, acting upon his advice, special prizes were offered for birds likely to produce poultry suitable for 'export. There was not the response which your committee would have liked to see, but no doubt the magnificent collection of birds shown by Dr Truby King will have given many an idea of what good table birds should be. The Club owes Dr King many thanks for his kindness and liberality in assisting at the show, he having not only sent the collection of poultry for export, but also presented a pair of oockerels for the weight-guessing competition, which benefited the finances of the Club by £4 6s.

It is well to remember that while we have in the past been regarded as a young society to which every assistance should be given by sister societies, we must now look to the necessity of leaning to a great extent upon ourselves for entries. Several societies have oomplained that Gore does not send them entries. Members who are in a position to do bo should send in a few entries to surrounding societies, so that we may look to them to reciprocate. , The society is fortunate in having as its president Mr R.MoNab,M.H.R.,who has proved in this, as in many other cases, that he is anxious to forward the interests of every industry which is likely to benefit the settlers of the district. He has assisted the society by a liberal donation each year, besides interesting himself in its welfare in bringing it before the experts of the Agricultural Department.

We finish our second year with a credit balance of £9 2s 3d. We have on our books outstanding accounts amounting to some £4. It is important that members should assist in collecting this money, which is principally for entries. In the coming show it would be as well to refuse to pen any exhibits the entry fees for which have not been paid. Mr A. J. Pope again| acted as delegate to the conference held in Dunediri last November, and succeeded in securing the same dates as last year for our show. Your Committee are of opinion that the N.Z. Kennel Club should make a special rule with regard to drovers' dogs. No advantage can arise by registering these dogs, which are taken off their work and entered. It would be an attraction if a short trial can be arranged for next show. The Clubs owe a debt of gratitude to Mr Wharton, who acted as judge of the dog section at last show at the last moment, when it was found that the services of Mr Kyle could not be procured. A special vote of thanks is due to that gentleman, who gave great satisfaction. Also to Messrs S. G. Inder and •Macara for judging the drovers' collies from a drover's point of yiew. Mr H. Double judged the whole of the poultry section in his usual able manner, giving the highest satisfaction to the exhibitors and the committee. The society have to thank the donors of special prizes, which assisted the show in a very marked degree. The following firms and gentlemen donated prizes:—Drs King, Copland, and Donaldson, Messrs B. McEiab, Day, Yule, Faitt, 0. Kelly, Cruiokshank. B. Taylor (Invercargill), Lnurenson, McFarlane D. Collins, D. L. Foppelwell, E.li. Bowler, W. F. Inder, and Montgomery, N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Tothill, Watson and Co., Farmers' Co-op., Wright, Stephenson and Co., and the Gore Retailers' Association. The members of committee last year, as in the previous year, worked with the object of making the show a success, and on the days of the show endeavoured to make the visitors interested in the various exhibits. The committee would urge upon members the necessity of securing as many young members as possible, as upon their success in this depends

the future of the society. The balance sheet showed that the receipts had been £l3O 16s 4d, while the expenditure had been £l2l 14s Id, leaving a credit balance of £!) 2s 3d. The year commenced with a credit of £G IDs lOd. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the President said it w;is u matter for congratulation that so much interest was taken in the Society in Gore. He trusted that it would continue to progress as it had done, and not, as many other societies had done, fall away. It had struck hint that the number of country residents ou the members' list was small in comparison to those of the town. The Society was formed primarily to encourage the breeding of birds suitable for export, and it would be interesting to remember when the industry of exporting frozen poultry had increased, as it would undoubtedly do, that the interest in these societies had been kept alive mainly by the efforts of the townspeople. He thought the farmers should take a greater interest in the Society and support it. The finances of tha Society appeared to be in a sound condition. It was not necessary for societies such as this to lay up funds, but to dispense them year by year. He regretted he had not been able to attend the annual shows, but he had been informed by those who had attended that the exhibits were good, and the officials carried through their work effectually. He hoped for a successful year. Mr W. F. Inder drew attention to the importance of the Society to farmers, and spoke of the excellent leaflets published by the Agricultural Department, and written by Mr Hyde. Ho suggested that Mr Hyde be written to for a supply of these leaflets, which should then be distributed to farmers in the surrounding district. It was the object of the society to endeavor to interest farmers in poultry, and to induce them to become members of the society. The report was adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. ' The following gentlemen were elected officers and oommittee for the ensuing year:— Mr B. McNab, president; vice-presidents, Drs G. Copland and Donaldson, Messrs Bowler, Poppelwell, 0. Kelly, Montgomery, Laurenson, W. F. Inder, F. Wright, and W. Domigan; committee, Messrs Pope, W. F. Inder, Jamie, 0. Clayton, Nightingale, J. Wilson, G. Taylor, Day, Faitt, T. Brown, Lock, R. Hay, G. E. Wharton, Ward, Joyce, J. Day, J. Wyber (Gore), Rosb, Bigwood, J. Taylor (Mataura), MacPheraon (Wyndham); treasurer and superintendent, Mr Pope; assistant superintendent (in dog section), Mr G. Taylor ; hon. secretary, Mr G. J. Anderson. LIFE MEMBER. Mr J. Day moved and Mr Faitt seconded—- " That Dr Truby King be made a life member."—ln the discussion upon this proposal it was stated that Dr King had promised for the next Show an exhibit of dressed poultry ready for export, as an object lesson on the mode of preparing the birds for the market. This, it was pointed out, would bring the advantage of breeding good birds more forcibly under the notice of those interested than any other method.—The motion was carried unanimously. poops. Mr J. Day moved—" That it be a recommendation to the committee to take into consideration the advisableness of securing coops."—lt was stated that proposals had been made by Milton Society that the societies at Inveroargill, Gore, Tapanai, Milton and Lawrence should purchase coops to be used by each society. As the cost of coops with railage amounts to a large sum the societies would benefit considerably financially were the suggestion carried out.—Seoonded by Mr Hay and carried. DOG TBIAL. It was stated that the president of the Balolutha, Dog Trials Association had advised the secretary that it would bo quite possible to have a short trial to teßt the working powers of the drovers' dogs On the day of the Show. The sheep ooold be put' through a marked ; coarse on the' Show ground or Caledonian , ground, the dog doing the best work to be the i winner. The oommittee were recommended i to consider the suggestion. : 1 thanks. ! The donors of JrizeS; the president, the I committer and officers Were for their ] services, and the meeting adjourned. ' *