CALF JUDGING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 6, 6 December 1930, Page 9

CALF JUDGING.

CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARDED. BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS. SPLENDID PARADE. That the inauguration of calf clubs throughout the Manawatu has come to stay was indicated this morning when the winners under the various group schemes were brought to Palmerston North and ajudicated upon for championship awards. The neighbourhood of the memorial pavilion at the Showgrounds presented an animated scene when the calves were paraded inside the roped ring which was surrounded by a large number of parents and children who had followed activities through the preliminary stages with wholehearted interest. Although a comparatively new scheme in the Manawatu ; calf clubs have operated in Taranaki for the past 10 years with splendid success, but equal success is predicted locally for the initial stages necessitated the dividing of the district into three distinct groups—those of Longburn, Rongotea ana Cheltenham, each embodying the _ schools surrounding those central points. This morning saw the four placed animals in the condition and type classes parading for the all important championship declarations, and competion proved exceedingly close. Jerseys proved to be the popular choice of the youthful exhibitors, two Shorthorn calves being the only other type animal to make their appearance. In the condition class for calves born between July 16 and September 16, Mr R. ’V. Brown, of Weraroa, filled the role of judge, and he made the following placings:— Jim Clark’s (Kairanga) -champion. Ron Hill’s (Rongotea) reserve champion. Gordon Mitchell’s (Longburn) 3. Charlie Webb’s (Glen Oroua) 4. Vera Peterson’s (Makino) 5. Olive Lucas’s (Glen Oroua) 6.

Freda Eglinton’s (Kairanga) 7. The winners in the dairy type class were then paraded before Mr C. G. Dermer, of Cheltenham, some of the members who had competed in the preceding class again figuring, and the following ajudications were made: — Charlie Webb’s (Glen Oroua) champion. Olive Lucas’s (Glen Oroua) reserve champion. Bill Scott’s (Glen Oroua) 3.Jim Clark’s (Kairanga) 4. May Bottcher’s (Rongotea) 5. Oliver Zurcher’s (Longburn). 6. The champion and reserve champions in their respective sections were presented with ribbons furnished by the executive of the Agricultural Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, cheers being given, on the call of Mr W. J. Croueher, for the winners and judges, while one was also given for the losers. WELL CONDITIONED ANIMAL. In addressing the gathering following upon the judging being completed, MiBrown stated that the winning animal in the condition class had been outstanding, but the placing of the second animal had presented greater difficulty. The Shorthorn entry had possibly carried too much condition for a dairy animal and he had placed it third in consequence. The speaker commented that while it was easy to be a winner, those who had not been fortunate enough to be placed had taken their defeat with equanimity and one and all had to leam to be good sports in competitions of this sort. It was evident that the youthful exhibitors had started off by giving their charges every care and attention, but it was necessary to keep such going and, as an inducement to that end, the speaker mentioned that there was a likelihood of a championship which would be open to all members of calf clubs in the North Island, while the majority of agricultural and pastoral associations would have classes included in their catalogues. The Manawktu A. and P. Association had agreed to embody a class for calf club exhibits irt its catalogue. In conclusion t MiBrown stressed the point that fair play •was bonny play, the speaker urging the children to never attempt to enter animals over age.

CREDIT TO THE DISTRICT. Mr Dermer, in congratulating the exhibitors, stated that the calves were a credit to the district, while the promoters of the scheme had every reason to feel satisfied with the outcome of their efforts. There had been two distinct classes presented and he had considered the winner of the condition class too gross for the type class and he had determined his placings accordingly, for one did not require too much condition in a dairy cow. GROWTH OF MOVEMENT. Mr W J McCulloch, field superintendent of the Agricultural Department, explained the growth of the calf club movement, the speaker mentioning that, apart from the Auckland nroviiK*' 1700 children had taken up the scheme in the North Island. In Canterbury a crop growing scheme had Seen' launched with happy results and 900 boys and girls were engaged in crowing potatoes in open competition, while the Government was distributing certified seed with beneficial results to the children and to the parents of the Inhibitors. Speaking to the parents, Ifr McCulloch stated that it was ; «„rv to give their children a firm foundation °on which to develop and thev could do so by inculcating love for the country and animals. . Mr R P. Connell, agricultural instructor,’ also addressed , the gathering, stressing the necessity for the carrying on of tlie foundation work which had been laid in order to develop the fat, flelh and bone in the young animal. To that end the speaker stressed the value of short, clean, pasture of from two to three inches in length which would supply the correct balance fpprlinff to the animal. Subsequently the young competitors b pb+crtained by Messrs Colhnson mTcuiSghame, Ltd., at their tearooms, when the prizes were presented.