Maungatapere School Poultry Show

Northern Advocate, 10 April 1943, Page 5

Maungatapere School Poultry Show

Residents of Maungatapere turned out in good numbers on hursday to witness an exhibition of poultry raised by the school pupils. The birds were raised from settings of purebred eggs supplied by the Whangarei Poultry Club to the children at the nominal price of 2/6 per setting.

Evidence that parents appreciate the effort that is being made to introduce new stock into the. district was practically demonstrated yesterday. Ine parent yesterday booked a setting of eggs for himself at one guinea on the understanding that they would be of the same strain as those supplied to the children at'2/G. The judge (Mr J. D. Horn) made the following awards:— Rhode Island Reds: Cockerels; Brian Cox-Smith 1, Frank Stevens 2. Pullet's,Brian Cox-Smith 1 and 2, Frank Stevens 3.

Black Orpingtons. Cockerels: Heather Edge 1. Shirley Rowland 2. Jack Rowland 2. Pullets: Joan Cox-Smith 1 and 2, Jack Rowlands 3.

White Leghorns. Cockerels: Mary Stevens 1, Nina Stevens 2. Pullets: Mary Stevens 1, Nina Stevens 2 and 3. Special Exhibition

Added interest was given to the show by the presence of outstanding birds from the stocks of some of Whangarei's loading breeders. Mr R. Sanderson exhibited four different breeds, including a. Blue Orpington that laid 220 eggs in the Auckland egg laying competition last year. This was the loading bird of a team that came second for Northland with an average of 206 eggs. Mr R. Timewell exhibited three breeds, including a Black Orpington rooster that was awarded champion male Orpington of Auckland Province at Onelninga show. Mr H. . Parkin exhibited two breeds, both of which have laid for 14 months on end without a moult. Mr C. Mitchell exhibited two breeds, including a very promising young cockerel. Mr 11. Griffiths exhibited two breeds, including a rooster that has taken first prize in poultry shows as far south as Christchurch and Wellington. The breeds that attracted most interest among the children were the Sydney Silkies. Black Pekins, White Pekins and Spangled Pekins. Strain Care Feeding Mr Horn stated that the standard of children’s birds was 100 per cent higher than it had been last year. He was particularly complimentary regarding the Rhode Island Reds which were of a higher class than anything he had seen at school shows last year. There was no best breed said Mr Horn in answer to questions. “Strain, care and feeding are more important than breed.” Mr Horn however, did mention that in the? results of two leading egg laying eomypetftions in the United States a Rhode Island Red team came first in one competition and first and second in the other. Education For Happiness The chairman of the School Committee (Mr K. M. Stevens) in thanking judge and breeders for their demonstrations stated that white he was a firm believer in a solid grounding in the 3 R’s for school children, iie was more than ever convinced that education on the lines demonstrated by the Poultry Club that afternoon would do more to produce happier, more contented, and more useful citizens of the future. The President of the Poultry Club (Mr W. R. imowell), suitably responded and presented the school with a book of illustrated poultry standards for the different breeds.