AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2709, 17 June 1925, Page 7

AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

ANNUAL MEETING. There was a representative attendance of members at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Ayrshire Cattle Breeders’ Association which was held at Palmerston North during Winter Show week. The retiring president, Mr. A. H. Hansen was in the chair. The annual report ran as follows: — The Association finds itself to-day in the best position both from a financial position and from a membership position, that it has ever been before. As you are aware every member is given a number and the number has now reached the 269 mark; unfortunately a small number have apparently dropped out or have not kept up their subscriptions. The subject of finance is set out very fully in the balancesheet and in spite of our increased expenditure for advertising, donations etc., our funds have been increased by approximately £l2O during - the past 13 months, which is most satisfactory. Your executive have adopted a system of tattoeing or branding. A notice of motion is now standing - under the name of Mr. Kyle to leave this optional. The importation of bull scheme has not been dropped altogether by your executive and no doubt you will hear more about it at an early date - . With regard to S.O. testing,' some very gratifying results are being obtained at the present time which must assist the breed and the thanks of the Association arc duo to those members who arc taking this work in hand. Greater records have been put in the past year than ever before and one cow at present under test was shaping to break the world’s record. Touching the ever-increas-ing popularity of the breed at public sales it was very gratifying to note that during the year an Ayrshire cow Maesgwyn Princess sold at auction for the record price of 505 guineas. In many other directions also there is ample evidence of the sound progress being made by the little Scottish cow. The accumulated surplus as disclosed by the balance-sheet stood at £1366, as against £1249 at the end of the previous year. During the course of a general discussion, Mr, Kyle raised the question as to whether the entry fee might not be reduced. Mr. Morgan Williams, in traversing criticism of the amount of expenditure during the year said there was grave danger of the Association developing into a money-lending institution. There was in all some £954 on deposit in various banks. As long as the money was being wisely used, it was better to spend it in encouraging testing and exhibiting. He failed to see the use or wisdom of hoarding up the resources of the society. Replying to Mr. Boyd (Matangi)

the chairman said that the executive was of the opinion that it was a line safeguard to have a "nice surplus” in order to tide them over a rainy day. While they could carry along progressively without .exceeding the annual income .there was no call for special heavy expenditure, Mr. K. M. Somerville said that every encouragement should be given to those breeders who were active in semi-official testing and showing. The executive should have full authority to expend money in advancing the interosts of the breed. :.. Vv Mr. P. Mills (Hawera) said that in point of actual fact the executive had during the past year spent the whole of its income and a pound or two more. The surplus shown bn the year’s working was really represented by the estimated value of herd books on hand. Members generally congratulated the executive on the very sound position of the Association’s finances, after which tho report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow:—Patron: Mr. A. Gillies (Hampden); president: Mr. A. H. Hansen (re-elected unopposed); vice-presidents: Messrs: -F. Mills (Hawera), A. Weir (Southland), J. Aitchison (Linton); executive; Messrs. C. Webb (Koputaroa). S. Morgan Williams (North Canterbury), and S. K. Gordon (Paerata), elected, and Messrs. D. A. Stewart (Fcathorston), G. Carter (Porirua) and R. M. Somerville (To Kuiti) sitting members; treasurer: Mr. T. Webb (re-elected). It was decided to hold the next annual general meeting of the Association at Palmerston North.