POULTRYMEN CONFER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19957, 26 November 1926, Page 13

POULTRYMEN CONFER.

SOUTH ISLAND ASSOCIATION. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tho South Llauu (Now Zealand) Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association was opened at iho Y.M.O.A. yesterday morning. The president (Mr G. E. Jeffreys) was in tho chair, and the clubs wore represented ns follows: —Messrs A. W. M’Nickol (Christchurch Poultry). J. Gerrio (Oamaru Poultry), Munyard (Tapnmii), G. 11. Bradford (United Pigeon), J. Homo (Dunedin Fanciers), F. G. Hanson (Dunedin Utility), T. A. Brown, Dunedin Specialists’ Young Bird), T. Kennedy (North Canterbury), G. Bundy (Ashburton). J. D. Gobbo (New Zealand Utility Poultry). L. Colbourno (Kaitangatn), W. Esquilant (vice-president), W. A. W. Clapp (Nightcaps), G. Gough (Invercargill) anti Mrs E. Davidson (New Zealand Rhode Island Red). The Canterbury Bantam, Christchurch Canary, Christchurch Pigeon, Lyttletou Fanciers’ Otautau League, and Greymouth Clubs were represented by proxy. Tho resignation of the Heriot Club was reepived with regret, tho president stating it, was possible that the club had merged with another An invitation was received from Timaru to hold tho next annual meeting of the association there, and was accepted unanimously. The president, said the poultry fancy had been re-established in Timaru, and tho holding of tho meeting there would bo a fillip. ANNUAL REPORT. Tho annual report stated that tho council had held 20 meetings during tho year, and tho business of the association had been attended to promptly. The regular attendance of the councillors had assisted tho executive in this direction. Thirtytwo societies were affiliated to the association. 23 holding shows. Two new clubs affiliated at the last annual meeting—the South Canterbury Egg and Poultry Society and tho Otautau District League—had both held their first annua! shows during the past season, and supported i ho art union. From tho reports received of tho success of their shows, the future ot tho two new societies was assured. At tho 1925 annual meeting 104 championships wore allotted for competition for the 1926 shows, and of that number 78 champion certificates were won-—a very satisfactory result. The entries at the shows throughout wore above the average, and the interest taken in all sections, of the feathered fancy was a source of congratulation. Importations of birds continued to arrive from England and America, and the association’s thanks were due to those enthusiasts who were so ably assisting the association in its work by providing fresh blood for tho breeds, here. The Victory Challenge Shield was competed for at Oamaru and was won by Mr G, M‘Leod with 8J points in tho Old English game duckwing cock class. The association’s art union for 1926 had made further progress, 18 clubs participating in the scheme. The art union was rocognbed_ by clubs supnortirm it as an insurance against loss from bad went' :r during show time, also it had provided tho moans for tho association to offer for competition the magnificent list of cham pionships competed for durin® the past season. In the event of the art union permit being refused for the 1927 shows, some scheme would have to he devised to replace this very necessary source of revenue. The profit on this year’s art union was £4l 8s 4d. Tho balance sheet for the year showed that tho association was in a good financial position. The receipts were £350 10s 6d, and the expen ituro £l4l 19s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £2OB 11s. The assets of the association were £238 15s 6d, and the liabilities £l2 12s for championships. With regret tho council recorded the death of the following prominent fanciers since the last annual meeting:—The late Alf. Walker, who was president and vice-president of tho association at different periods ; P. Carolin, another vice-president; Alex. Fraser, F. Hartley, J. S. Bee, J. G. Gough, and T. F. Walklin. Mr Walklin was the popular secretary of tho Lyttelton. Club, and his sudden death quite recently was a severe shock to all who knew him. The council, on behalf of the association, wished to extend to the relatives of the above its sincere sympathy. The association's thanks were due to tho Christchurch Club for the use of its club rooms for council meetings during the year; to Mr V. Bedwell for auditing the accounts, to the retiring officers and to tho press for space given in reporting the shows. In moving the adoption of tho report Mr Jeffreys said that tho refusal of tho Minister to grant a permit for the holding of an art union would mean a heavy loss in the championships, with the smaller societies feeling tho loss. The affiliation fees did not provide sufficient revenue, and unless a grant from tho Government was obtained prize stock would not be shown. The association had given gold dust as prizes, as people did not want paintings or works of art. Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., for Avon, had promised tho council to use his efforts to obtain a permit or a grant of £IOO, which sum even then would not recompense the association for its loss. " Unless some assistance was forthcoming tho championships would have to he reduced by 50 per cent. As to tho administrative work. Mr Jeffreys said the council had functioned happily. He referred to the rapidly-de-creasing ranks of old fanciers, and urged that the interest of the younger fanciers should bo stimulated. Tho motion was carried, the association deciding to await a reply from Mr Sullivan. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Tho election of officers resulted as follows:—Piesidcnt, Mr G- E. Jeffreys (reelected) : vice-presidents—Messrs C. P. Bradford (Christchurch), W. Wright. (Lyttelton), T. S. Hanna (North Canterbury) J. Alfrey (Temuka). G. Bundy (Ashburton), W. 11. Turvcy (Oamaru), J. H. Bctten (Waimatc), W. Esquilant (Dunedin), J. W. Jarrold (Tapamu), H. King (Heriot), C. Stokes (Balclntha), J. L. Colbourne (Kaitangata), W. Excel! (Nightcaps), F. Mitchell (Invercargill), W. H. Parfitt (Greymouth), P. Mann (Westport), R. A. Brownlie (Granity) R. Hawes (Waimangaroa), B C. Wilson (Timaru), L. Lumsdcn (Otautau), W. B. M’Kenzie (Wellington), G. H. Ambler (Auckland), and the president of Palmerston North Society; councillors— Messrs J. Tindall (fancy poultry), J. D. Gobbe (utility poultry), B. Johnson (fancy pigeons), F. D. Wilson (working homer pigeons), and R. W. Thompson (canaries); lion, auditor. Mr V. Bedwell ; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. Pearce; hon. solicitor. Mr E. J. Ross. DATES OF SHOWS. Tho following dates for tho holding of shows were allotted by the association: — Dunedin Specialists’ Young Bird Club (reserved dates), March 25 and 26; Now Zealand Utility Poultry Club (reserved dates), March 18 and 19; Christchurch Canary Club (reserved date), March 19; Christchurch Poultry P.G. and C. Club (diamond jubilee), June 2,3, and 4; Dunedin Fanciers’ Chib (reserved dates), June 9, 10, and 11 ; Ashburton Poultry, P. and C. Club (reserved dates), June 17 and 18; North Canterbury Poultry Club, .bdy 1 and 2; Oamaru Poultry Club, July 8 and 9; Temuka Poultry Club (reserved dates), July 22 and 23; Wnimate Poultry Club, June 24 and 25; Lyttelton Fanciers’ Chib, July 15 and 16; Taieri Poultry Club, Juno 13; Kaitangata Poultry Club July 20 anil 21; Tapanni Poultry Club, July 9; Bnlchitha Poultry Club, Juno 24; Invercargill Poultry Club (reserved dates). June 28 and 29; Nightcaps (reserved dates), May 20 and 21; Otautau and District Progressive League, May 11 and 12; South Canterbury Egg and Poultry Society, Timaru, June 10 and 11 ; Waimangaroa Poultry Club, June 10 and 11; Westport, Poultry Club, June 24 and 25; Granity Poultry Club, July 8 and 9; Greymouth Poultry Club (reserved dates), July 29 and 30. EVENING SESSION. REMITS DISCUSSED, Mr R. J. Brown, on behalf of the Dunedin Cage Bird Club, moved :—“That any club or society having canary and other cage Bird s’ classes on their schedule and accepting entries for those classes, must provide cages to exhibit the birds.” Mr Brown stated that, owing to the lack of proper caging, no birds were entered for some' of tho championships, and tho prize simply reverted to the association. If tho chibs provided cages, they would encourage entries. The Chairman said clubs had always been told that if they could not run the championships they could he allotted to other chibs. Tho Dunedin Club was justi tied in adcing for tho provision it proposed. Tho remit was carried. Mr T. Kennedy (Rangiora) moved, on behalf of tho North Canterbury Club—- “ That a visiting fancier to any show

under the jurisdiction of the association bo charged Is for admission, and that on application to the secretary of the show ha be given a pass to admit him to re visit the show until it closes.” Mr Kennedy pointed out that visiting fanciers could not afford to pay 4s or 6s a day to enter and re-enter a show. The rule should apply to fanciers outside a 10-mile radius from the place where a show tvas being held. It was pointed .out that the association had no jurisdiction in the matter, and it was decided that the matter should I be made a recommendation to the various clubs. Mr F. G. Hanson, representing the Dunedin Utility Poultry Club, moved —“That the question of the payment of poultry judges should be gone into.” The Chairman stated that the association could not interfere with the payment of judges by the clubs. Iho remit was withdrawn. Mr A. \V. M'Xielfel (Christchurch) moved the following remit: —‘‘That at future shows judges of utility breeds be instructed to delete from their decisions the clause in the instructions to judges in the utility standard, which states that birds shall bo passed if they fall below 11b less than the standard weight and exceed it by I jib. Judges in comparing birds with the weights in the standard should use their own judgment as to the utility qualities of the bird.” It was not contended, Mr M'Nickel stated, to delete weight from the standard. The present weight clause practically tied the hands of the judges. He considered that errors had been made in compiling the standards. A bird an ounce over the maximum weight was a bettor specimen than a bird an ounce below the minimum weight allowed. He did believe in tieing the hands of a judge The Chairman said it would be a difficult matter to depart from the present clause. The same latitude in weight was allowed for small and big birds —which was unfair. It should be suggested to the New Zealand Association that the standards for certain breeds needed adjustment. Mr F. C. Brown (Chief Government Poultry Instructor) said there must bo some definite standard, and ho would like to see a better argument in favour of the remit. Opinions differed as to what was the proper size of a bird He would favour a ruling that would reduce the number of classes from two to one. A judge must abide by the standards. After discussion an amendment proposed by Mr J. G. Gobie (Christchurch) that the matter should bo left over for discussion by the New Zealand Poultry Association was carried. The allotment of championships for 1927 was made under the supervision of the Government Poultry Experts (Mr F. C. Brown and Mr O. Cnssen). It was decided by ballot that the Dunedin Fanciers' Club should have the competition for the Victory Shield for 1927. On behalf of the Christchurch Canary and Cage Bird Club, Mr R. J. Brown moved that the following should bo adopted as an association rule: “A novice remains a novice for one season, no matter how many prizes ho should win. Should ho win two or more first prizes in open shows during a season, ho ceases to bo a novice at the end of that show season.” Mr Brown stated that this had been a burning question for some years. No two clubs bad the same definition. Mr W. Esquilant (Dunedin) said that the novice class seemed to be a farce. Ho knew of one man, a heavy prize-winner, who had handed over his birds to his wife, who competed as a novice. The motion was amended to read: ‘‘ln the canary section a novice shall remain a novice for one season, no matter how many first- prizes he should win.” The motion was carried. Mr V. Bedwell (Christchurch) moved: “That the Government should scud Mr F. C. Brown, Chief Poultry Instructor, to the Worlds' Poultry Congress shortly to bo held in Canada, and is of opinion that the information and knowledge which would bo gained by hjm would greatly assist him and those working with him for the department in their work, and would be of great benefit to the industry and its import trade throughout the Dominion.” The motion was carried.