BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUB CALF COMPETITION

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7031, 15 December 1932, Page 11

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUB CALF COMPETITION

Championships Decided FINE DISPLAT AT THE SHOWGROUNDS The calf competition of the Mana-watu-Oroua division of the Boys’ and Girls* Agricultural 01ub3 was finalised yesterday with the championship judging at tho Palmerston North Showgrounds. Nearly 40 animals, representing the best in tho various groups, wore presented, and the general high standard and excellent manner in which the calves were presented won for the children the highest praise, and for those associated with the movement congratulations on tho work that they are doing. For the judging, Messrs ■ J. H. MeLinden (Massey College), evidence ui good rearing, and A. Horn (Kuku), type, were the officials and had the assistance of Messrs Croucher, Dear, Roberts, Bennett, Connell and Lange, members Of the executive committee. The B. and A. Cup, presented by Messrs Barraud and Abraham for interschool competition, was won by Gien Oroua, with 30 points. Longburn (26) was runner-up and Taonui (20) third. An innovation this year was a judging competition for tho children, who were required to pick tho best three out of five calves, allot points and give reasons for their awards. This resulted:—Dell Adsett (Colyton) 1, Jim Stephenson (Longburn) 2, W. Scon {Glon Oroua) 3, Merle Campbell (Awahuri) v.h.c., Theo Zurehcr (Longburn) h.c. Championship results wore as follow: Dairy Type. W. Scott’s (Glen Oroua) Wonder 1 and champion, Noeline Ansin’s (Taonui) Joy 2 and reserve champion, Margaret Choetham’s (Taonui) Nancy 3, Leon Ansin’s (Taonui) Frisky v.h.c., Marjorie Dear’s (Waitohi) 1 Trixie h.c. Care Iu Rearing. Molly Slattery's (Kongotea) Patsy 1 and champion, W. Scott's (Glon Oroua) Wonder 2 and reserve champion, F. Ansin’s (Ashhurst) Rouble 3, Dulcie Campbell’s (Awahuri) Princess v.h.c., Noeline Ansin’s (Taonui) Joy h.c. Yearling Heifers. Norman Wilson’s (Longburn) Tulip 1 and champion,’ W. Scott’s (Glen Oroua) Huia 2 and reserve champion, Betty Wilson's (Longburn) Madge 3, Leslie Hackett’s (Ashhurst) Kitty v.h.c. The Trophies Presented. The object of tho Boys’ and Girls’ club, said Mr. H. J. Fagan, president of the Manawatu-Oroua division, in ad-, dressing the assembled children and parents later, was not to gather tho boys and girls together for tho winning of prizes, but to educate tho young mind in the rearing of animals and the growing of roots, so that instead of remaining in town after they had completed their secondary education, they would go back to the country. If the children could be induced to take an interest in the work of the farm, they would take their place later in life with the best producers in tho Dominion. He had been amazed at the progress that had been made by the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs in this district, in Tegard to both roots and calves, and the display of annuals that day was something to bo proud of and an examplo to the adults. He congratulated the children on the excellent manner in which their animals had been presented and urgod them not to bo disappointed if they had not won prizes, because next year they might be at the top. It was only those

farmers who were thoroughly efficient and understood their jobs who would be able to help New Zealand hold her own on the world’s markets. Bcforo calling on Mr. J. W. Deem, of the . Department of Agriculture, to speak, Mr. Fagan paid a tribute to his work iu connection with the movement, saying that ho was the “father of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs.” In the course of his remarks Mr. Deem congratulated those who were taking an intorest in the Boys’ and Girls' Clubs of tho district on tho excellent work that they had been doing. They were putting their hearts and minds into the job and dipping their hands into their pockets as well. Howover, he regretted that there were not moro parents present that day. Right from the commencement of the-move-ment in Taranaki, there had always been the growl that parents did not take sufficient intorest in the worn or the children, but happily that phase was passing away. He urged the parents to make a present of the calves to the children, because nothing appealed to the latter moro than tho question of ownership. He congratulated the Manawatu A. and P. Association ’if or making its grounds available and in giving prizes and stimulating interest. It had to be remembered that the children of the present day were the exhibitors of the future, and if they continued their good work they would beat their fathers out of sight in the way they presented their animals. Speaking on behalf of the supervisors, Mr. W. J’. Croucher said that the movement had inculcated a fine spirit among tho children and their work was setting a standard for tho adults. That this was so was particularly apparent in regard to root growing, and whereas farmers ten years ago said that it was impossible to grow mangolds in certain districts, the boys and girls of to-day were showing them how to grow 40 tons to tho acre and up to 100. The speaker expressed thanks to the teachers at the various schools for their cooperation and hoped that as the years wont by there would never be any lack of assistance.

Tribute was paid by Mr. Fagan to the work of the judges and cheers were givon for them by the children. Mr. J. M. McLindcn, speaking on behalf of the judges, said that the boys and girls had every reason to bo extremely proud of their achievements. They had shown a remarkable spirit of co-operation —a spirit which lie would like to see iu the adults sometimes. Such was the high standard of the calves presented that there was little difference between tho wanner and the last in each class, and that reflected very great credit on the children. The boys and girls owed a. deep debt of gratitude to the Department of Agriculture for its part in the movement, and when they were adults they would, appreciate more fully the work that was being done. The children were now getting an insight into the peculiarities of stock and unless they had that they would never become stock men.

The B. and A. Cup was then handed over to the association by Mr. R. Abraham, who congratulated all concerned with the movement on the excellent work that was being done. Mr. Fagan expressed the association’s thanks to the donors.

Mr, M. A. Eliott, president of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, said this district was to be congratulated when Mr. Deem was moved hero from Taranaki. The Boys’ and Girls’ Club movement had now spread to tho South Island, but tho West Coast of tho North Island saw the keenest enthusiasm displayed. The A. and P. Association recognised the value of the movement and was pleased to be able to assist. Mr. Eliott then presented the cups and other trophies won that day, as well as the awards in the group competitions at the different centres.

Thanks were voiced to the A. and P. Association, to Messrs Croucher and Connell, and to the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union for providing luncheon and refreshments.