Pig Clubs Grow in Numbers

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 60, 12 March 1938, Page 2

Pig Clubs Grow in Numbers

MEETING OF WELLINGTON DISTRICT COUNCIL

Mr. B. E. Keiller presided at a meeting of the executive of the Wellington District Pig Council on Thursday evening. The district supervisor, Mr. E. P. Nielsen reported that preliminary meetings in connection with the forming of clubs in the Dnnnevirke district have been commenced. The dairying in this district is intense and there is room for a number of clubs in a comparatively small area. It was learnt that some 15 to 17 years ago there was a pig club at Te Rehunga operating on similar lines to those at present being established. This now defunct club which functioned for some years had a boar at stud for the use of its members. It would appear that Te Rehunga could claim to have had the first club in New Zealand. A day’s canvass of the Umataroa district, with numerous promises to come to a meeting, resulted in an attendance of three. At Maharahara and Tiratu on the following evenings there were good meetings and at both places it was decided to form clubs. A further visit was made to Hastings Jr. anticipation of a meeting in tho evening. Through a misunderstanding with those concerned, the meeting was not called. Mr. Laing, veterinarian to the Department of Agriculture, rendered valuable assistance in arranging a canvass of the district and thanks are also due to Mr. E. Wall who gave the day to helping make contacts which will undoubtedly prove helpful when meetings are called in that area.

The Tokomaru Club was advanced a stage further and they are now ready to proceed with the purchase of stock. Opportunity was given of saying a few words to a Farmers' Union meeting at Linton, the outcome of -which was tho arranging of a meeting when a club was formed.

Field days were commenced. These were very well attended find club mem bers were profuse in their thanks for the opportunity given of increasing their store of knowledge. Two clubs on each of four days made a total attendance of S6 —Carnarvon and Glen Oroua; Norsewood and Rongotea; Ohau and Kopane; and Tokomaru and Levin. There were some 30 farmers present at a field day held on Mr. O. C. Larsen's property at Umataroa. A week spent in South Wairarapa was profitable, and in addition to having meetings with clubs already established, arrangements have been made for meetings at Waihakeke and Greytown where it is hoped to establish another three clubs. Acting on instructions from Mr. Longwill, supervisor to the Auckland Pig Council, four Tamworth and one Berkshire sows were purchased at the Cheltenham Dairy Co.'s sale.

Information in the hands of the council that pigs were being slaughtered without the pig levy, is to be forwarded to the department for their information.

The department is to be asked to conduct a more rigorous inspection of sale yards with the object of eliminating diseases amongst pigs.