CALF CLUBS FORMED

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 138, 10 May 1930, Page 10

CALF CLUBS FORMED

INTERESTING PROJECT. (Special to Standard.) FEILDING, May 10. After a period of ten years, during which time its ramifications have been widely extended owing to tho unbounded enthusiasm with which it has been met everywhere, tho committee controlling tho Feilding division of the boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs yesterday decided to extend their field of activities by the formation of calf clubs. Tho idea met with the instant respoi of those present at tho meeting and arrangements wero made for tho immediate commencement of tho clubs. Air W. L. Grice presided and also present wero Messrs D. Buchanan, W. J. Croucher, A. Campbell, L. J. Wild, K. W. Dalrymple, J. H. Mason, E. H. Lange (Education Department), R. P. Connell (Agricultural Department, E. A. Palmer (Government stock inspector) and Air W. j. McCulloch, of Alassev College. Air Grice briefly introduced the matter to the meeting arid then invited Air AlcCulloch to give an explanation of the subject. SCHEAIE EXPLAINED. Mr AlcCulloch said that he had been using his influence, as far as possible, for the institution of the clubs with tho Department of Agriculture and Education Board officials, Alessrs R. P. Connell and E. H. Lange respectively. Ho had gained a fair knowledge of calf clubs from his travels in Taranaki and had been struck with the possibilities of the scheme ever since he had witnessed the exhibits at shows there. Air McCulloch hoped that tho branch would not in any way cease its work with tho root crops, but carry on in the same manner with the livestock. It would he possible for one child to roar and care for as many as three calves and theso would perhaps later pass into the show ring. The scheme fostered a love of country life in tho children and this was a desirable thing. The speaker had seen calves brought 30 miles to the show ring in Taranaki and this spoke much for the enthusiasm that was felt for the scheme. In North and South Taranaki there was a total of 696 children who wero interested in the calf clubs and Air AlcCulloch had never seen stock put into the show ring in bettor condition than those in that district. This factor promised to have a large bearing on the future of the young generation and would be bound to have an ultimate effect on the country. Mr A. Campbell recalled that Air Deem, who was Mr AlcCulloch’s iircdecessor in this district, had advocated the institution of calf clubs at the time the’ root clubs were formed, and the speaker felt sure the calf clubs would have the same good result as the root clubs had. It was only since tho latter had become so widely known that mangolds were more largely grown by farmers in this district. Air Buchanan said that the movement was adopted in most countries where it had been recognised that it was desirable to foster in the young people the love of country life. In this young country every inducement must be given to the children to grow up with the idea that they were going to stay on the land and the sooner this became more general the better the country would become. The inculcation of a love of the land, of stock and country life in the young people would result in a more contented farming community and one who had a more than cursory interest in the land. _ Air Buchanan was quite in sympathy with the movement and hoped the meeting would bear fruit, for even if the movement only got three or four members each year it would have done something for the country. PROAIISES OF ASSISTANCE. Air Wild thought the same results would apply to the calf club as had to the root clubs. Pie could promise the support of the Young Farmers’ Club end thought aiso that tho Feilding A. and P. Association would be behind the movement. Mr Lange said he was prepared to do all he could to further the movement, anc gave it as his personal opinion that a small start should be made at first and gradually extend the movement. It would be far better to do this and the clubs to feel thenway than to launch out in an ambitious manner at first. The meeting had been called to give the Agricultural Department and the Education Department authority to go ahead and Air Lange expressed his readiness to carry on at once. , In reply to the chairman, Air AlcCulloch said the department would not subsidise more than two centres—one in Feilding and one in Wanganui. Ho thought the Feilding Branch would have to father too movement locally on the same lines as it had tho Root Clubs. Continuing, Mr AlcCulloch said he thought it rather a pity that the Manawatu A. and P. Association was not in such a movement. lie was pleased, however, to see that two delegates from that body were present at the meetfir Lange pointed out that tho Manawatu A. and P. Association was in the movement as it had had representation on the committee of the Boys’ and Girls Club for years. Mr Grice then moved that calf rearing be included in file activities of the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs in the Feilding district. Mr Wild seconded, the motion, pointing out that the Feilding district extended from south of the Rangitikci River aiid was not so local as it would appear. Air Croucher pointed out that tho calf club centre would have to be in Feilding and went on to state that from what he could learn there was a lot of work entailed in die administration of these clubs, and to save any undue strain being thrown on tho Feilding organisation, he suggested that the committee of control bo extended. SUGGESTED CONTESTS. Mr Buchanan suggested that in addition to the classes held at tho Autumn Show at Feilding, a grand championship for all calves in the North Island be held at tho Winter Show in Palmerston North. He assured the menting that the Alanawatu A. and P. Association felt very keen about this matter and did not want to hu left out of it. There would noi be a great deal of expense attached tr. bringing calves down from Taranaki as several trucks could bo gathered at once. Such a move would result in greater interest being shown by tho cnildren. Air Buchanan said he could not speak with any authority for the Alanawatu A. and P. Association, but he was going to endeavour to get something like that ho had outlined started. Mi Connell said thero was one outstanding factor and that was that the scheme would have to centre in Feilding if only for subsidy purposes. The speaker went on to state that about two years ago he had advocated the formation of senior clubs to cater for the children who had left school, but up to the present nothing had come of it. He thought that as the Manawatu A. and P. Association was so keen about the matter it could be invited to consider the running of senior clubs. Air Palmer spoke in support of the schemo and said the livestock division of tho Department of Agriculture would be willing to assist in any way. Tho motion was then carried unanimously. CENTRES FORMED. Air Lange then brought up tho question of a centre of activities and suggested Rongotea. It was the centre of a great dairying area and tho same applied to Longburn and Tiakitahuna. In regard to the latter area, Air Lange stated that he would be particularly pleased to see it made a centre as it was the one area where he had not been able to got the school into tho Root Club. Mr Lange also suggested that not more than five schools be formed into one group. In reply to a query regarding finance, the chairman said the clubs were usually well endowed with subsidies, and Air Lange also pointed out that tho club would draw its subsidy in the name manner as the root club did from the department. Air Buchanan suggested asking the school committees of tho places Air Lange had mentioned whether they would form groups. Ho thought that Longburn could be made into a group to control up the line as far as Bainesse. Mr Alason thought Cheltenham would 1 also make a suitable centro with Rongo-

tea, and with this idea Mr Wild agreed and advocated tho appointment of district supervisors to control each centre. Mr Buchanan, for instance, oould look after tho Longburn centre and other supervisors could be appointed for tho others. Mr Buchanan was sure Mr Wild’s idea was sound and mentioned his willingness to look after tho Longburn end. He thought it would bo better called the Kairanga centre. Mr McCulloch raid he appreciated what the other speakers had raid about the good work the departmental officers were doing, but he would not like to see a start made in a big way ns tho officers were already heavily loaded with work. Agricultural clubs entailed a great deal more work than calf clubs, and a great deal of the -work in the .local distriot fell on the shoulders of Mr Lange. Mr Wild moved that a start be made with three centres, Mr Lange seconding the motion and suggesting that tho groups he as under: —(1) Rongotca, Glen Oroua, Kopane; (2) Longburn, Tiakitahuna, Rangiotu. Kairnnga; (3) Cheltenham, Kiwitea, Bcaconsficld, Mnkino. This was included in Mr Wild’s motion and ngreed to, tho centres being Longburn, Rongotca and Cheltenham. Mr Lange then suggested that Mr Buchanan be appointed tho superintendent of tho Longburn centre and Mr Croucher that at Rongotca. Both those named expressed their willingness to act and Mr Mason underteok the caro of the Cheltenham centre. Following a brief discussion on the breed of calves, in which it, was stated that any breed or cross breed was eligible, Mr Croucher suggested that it be a recommendation to the superintendents that for a start the calves be judged on condition only, this being agreed to. Mr McCulloch gave a precis of tho system in vogue in Taranaki in regard to the age of the calves and tho marking _of them and it was decided that tho period of eligibility for tho competitions be for calves born between Julv 15 and August 31. SENIOR CLUBS. On tho motion of Mr Connell, a committee consisting of Messrs L. J. Wild, A. Campbell and the mover was set up to confer with the Manawatu A. and P. Association regarding tho advisability of sotting up senior clubs.