SHOW SOCIETIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 168, 17 June 1936, Page 13

SHOW SOCIETIES

THE WESTERN DISTRICT. ANNUAL METING. The annual meeting of the Western District Council of the Royal Agricultural Society was held last evening in the Breeders' Club room at the Showgrounds. Mr Jas. Knight (Feilding) presiding. Others present were Messrs H. C. Sampson. Jos. Batchelar, 11. Marshall, D. Collis, H. B. Johnston and K. Armstrong. The four retiring councillors, Messrs R. 0. Dalrymple (Bulls), J. Knight (Feilding), R. W. Marshall (Marton) and J. Webb (Taihape) were declared ]'G-cleeted on the postal ballot, and Mr Knight was elected chairman for the ensuing, year. Messrs J. Knight (Feilding). H. J. Lancaster (Levin), H. C. Sampson (Taranaki,) Jos. Batchelar (Palmerston North) and H. E. Kissling (Palmerston North) were elected to represent the western district on the council of the Royal Agricultural Society. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £39 6s 9d, and was adopted. Mr N. I. Nielsen being appointed honorary auditor. Mr H. E. Kissling was re-elected honorary secretary, and it was decided, in future, to hold the annual meeting earlier than at the Winter Show, possibly at Wanganui, next year.

The chairman announced that all secretaries of A. and .P. Associations affiliated to the Western District Council were eligible to attend the council meeting for that area. The question of Spring Show dates was briefly discussed, it being reported that, according to the present rota, the Manawatu Show was scheduled for November 4, 5 and 6, the Waikato Show for November 6 and 7, and the Wanganui Show for November 11 and 12. It was suggested that the Wanganui Show might be held on November 10 and 11 and the Waikato Show on November 13 and 14 in order to avoid clashing, while Manawatu might revert to a two-dav fixture.

The Horowhenua association, which had fixed its Summer Show dates for January 26 and 27, lodged a protest against the proposal to hold the Marton Show on January 28. It was resolved to discuss these matters fully at the meeting of the Eastern and Western District Councils to-night, with a view to overcoming the difficulty. Remits referred back from the last conference of the Royal Agricultural Society for an expression of opinion were dealt with, and approval was given to a proposal that the names of all disqualified persons l>e reported to the'society so that affiliated associations could he advised. It was decided to oppose a suggestion from the Ryeland Sheep Society that sheep be led round in the judging ring, and the council decided to take no action regarding another suggestion that attendants handling sheep should wear white coats. A remit, that the showing of overfat stock, especially stud animals, bo discouraged, elicited the opinion that this was not a good-tendency, as stock should be meaty, and not carrying too much condition. However, it was considered that this was a question with which the judges were quite competent to deal. A recommendation, that uniform rules be laid down lor the guidance of judges where animals had genital defects, was discussed and the opinion was expressed that in such cases stock should be passed over when awards were being made. It was pointed out by Mr Armstrong (Wanganui) that the territorial representation of A. and P. associations on tile \\ estern District Council was not very exact. Wanganui, Waverley, Haetihi and Marton were not directly represented, and it seemed that Manawatu had a majority of members. it was lolt that the representation might be a little more equitable.

The chairman said it was not desired that any particular district should have a dominating influence, but the representation ori the council was according to the ballot which had been conducted.