PALMERSTON NOTES.
(From Ope Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON, August 27, A. AND P. SOCIETY.
The annual dinner of the Palmerston and Waihemo A. and P. Society was held on Friday evening. There was a good attendance, several members of the Waikouaiti Society being present. Mr D. J. Ross, president, was in the chair. There was a long toast list, with interesting speeches, and a good musical programme was provided, co;.i;isting of a piano solo by Dr Booth, songs by Messrs Newman, Waterson, Callaghan, Turina and R. Cameron, and recitations by Mr MTvor. , Dr Booth and Mr F. B. Callaghan played the accompaniments. The toast of “ Agricultural and Pastoral Interests” was responded to by Messrs H. S. Sheat, J. S. Miller and J. Preston, who, in the course of their remarks, stated that the outlook for butter and cheese was particularly bright, owing chiefly to the fact that the consuming countries were experiencing difficulty in getting supplies—in fact, Canada was now importing butter, instead of exporting. Farming, altogether, was in a better position than it was two years ago, and many of those who had stuck to it, and were more prosperous now, were indebted to the banks and financial firms for assistance.
Mr lan Ross, who represented the Wmkouaiti, Society, in proposing the health of the “ Palmerston A. and P. Society,” congratulated it on its splendid shows and the good fellowship existing between the two societies.
Mr D. J. Ross, in reply, thanked all who had assisted him during his term of office, and was pleased to see such a happy gathering before him. They, like other societies, were endeavouring to foster competition at their shows, and thereby improve the breeding of stock, which was of benefit to the whole country. They would like to enlarge the show ring on their grounds, and make the space available for football and other societies. With that end in view, Mr M‘William had taken measurements, and estimated that the gully could be filled in and the ring enlarged at a cost of between £4OO and £SOO, instead of the £2OOO previously suggested. As they had only between £SO and £9O in hand, they would require assistance from the other interested bodies to carry out the work; lUit the matter would be discussed at the annual meeting in December. He thanked ail who had provided cars to convey the West Coast farmers to Bushey Park and the Farmers’ Union for financial assistance to entertain the visitors. Mr P. J. Callaghan humorously replied to “ Kindred Societies,” and Mr C. Hallum replied on behalf of Waikouaiti Society.
“ The Farmers’ Union ” was replied to by Messrs W. R. Wedge and A. Fleming, who pointed out the benefits the farming community had received through the work done and remits brought to the notice of the Government by the union. “ Breeders and Exhibitors ” was proposed by Mr J. S. Miller, who drew attention to the large number of well-known breeders in the district. Mr John Chisholm, who had just returned from a visit to Australia with Mr T. S. Little,- described the great sheep show he had seen at Sydney. The grounds and building had cost £1,000,000, and the place was like a town while the show was held. Each breed of sheep was housed in a different building, and for judging each sheep was led on to a mat by an attendant in a white coat; the judges also wore white. After judging, the prize-winners were put in crates for exhibition. He saw splendid merinos and Corriedales there and also Dorsets, which were used for breeding fal lambs. One exhibitor had taken his sheep SCO miles to this show. He visited the stud sheep sales, where* the sheep were well looked after, some in buildings four storeys high. Breeders there were going in a lot for salt licks, and one of the firms was send inti some of these preparations to
the speaker (Mr Little) and Mr D. J. Ross to experiment with. The users of these licks said they could rear sheep now where they could not before, and did not have trouble with the lambs. Firms there kept experts, who examined sheep and advised the breeders how to treat them. He described the Homebush stock sales and bis visits to some of the largest commercial firms.
Mr A. Twaddle said breeding was a hobby with him, and he had been a lover of stock since a boy. (That feeling must exist in one if he wanted to be a breeder. He considered the youth of to-day was too interested in motor bicycles and cars, whereas formerly most country youths took great interest in horses, and consequently in other stock generally. Breeding and exhibiting had a great influenceon a man’s character, as they induced him to study nature and helped him to understand himself and his fellow man. He instanced the number of agricultural colleges in America, whereas there were only two in this country. It was easy to get vouths trained as doctors and barristers here, but not os farmers with degrees, and the farming youths must be educated to supply the proper produce to the Home markets. „ , . In replying to “ Stock Agents, Mr A. Fraser said the stock agents were the legal advisers to lots of the farmers. They had to know a little of everything, even to treating ill babies. The life was a healthy one, as they were always on the r °Messro W. H. Hopkins and J. Preston replied to “Local Bodies.” The former mentioned the great expense of keeping up the main highway through the town, with the present subsidy of 30s in the £. Mr Preston stated that at a recent Counties’ Conference meeting held in Wellington Mr Coates had promised that the subsidy would-be increased to £2 for £l. Other toasts were those of President, Secretary, Bellringer, Tradespeople, Caterer, and the Press. ' GUN CLUB.
On Saturday afternoon a handicap shoot was held by the Palmerston Gun Club for a massive silver cup, presented by William Teacher and Sons, Glasgow, to be shot for once a year and won twice in succession, or three times at intervals. Twenty-one members competed, and Mr Henry Roberts (14 yards) won with 18 breaks out of a possible 21 birds. Mr JRoy (14 yards) .was second with 17; Messrs W. K. Hayward (17 yards), and A. H. Cowan (12 yards) tied for third place with 16 each, and in the shoot on the former won. Other scores were one with 15, three with 14. two with 12, and two with 11 breaks. Messrs L. E. Wilson and Edmond (Dunedin), who were shooting, but not competing, scored 18 and 15 respectively. There was a very cold wind blowing all afternoon, and the shooting was not so good ns usual. Inc president presented the prizes, of which there -were three, besides the cup, and Mr A. Hollands, Dunedin representative tor the donors of the cup, congratulated the ■winner.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 20498, 28 August 1928, Page 6
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1,160PALMERSTON NOTES. Otago Daily Times, Issue 20498, 28 August 1928, Page 6
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