NZ SHEEP-BREEDERS ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3029, 3 April 1912, Page 17

NZ SHEEP-BREEDERS ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Sheep-breeders' Association (South Island) was bold at Christchurch, in the A and P. Association's rooms. Sir George OMorc occupied the chair, and there were about 30 members present. The annual report of tho council congratulated the members on the continued success and progress of the association. Volume 7, which was published during the vear, contained 566 flocks of tho following breeds:—Lincoln 24, English Leicester 147, Border Leicester 193, Romncy Marsh 65, Soutndown 39, Shropshire 50, Merino 22, corset Horn 1, Ityeland 6, Oxford Down 1, Corriedale and halfbred 18; —total 566. Sixty-two new flocks had been admitted during tho vear—viz. : Lincoln 2, English Leicester 6, Border Leicester 16, Rornney Marsh 13, Southdown 4, Shropshire 2, Ryeland 1, Corriedale and halfbred 18;—total, 62 Fifty-nine flocks had been dispersed or withdrawn—viz.: Lincoln 4, English Leicester 12, Border Leicester 22, Rornney Marsh 5. Southdown 5. Shropshire 8, Merino 1, Cheviot 1, Pyyeland I;—total,1 ;—total, 59. The council, on application from the Corriedale breeders, decided to publish annual returns of all Corriedale and halfbred flocks, established between the longwool and the merino breeders, the owners of such flocks to bo members of the Sheep-breeder,;' Association. ihis was availed of by breeders of .18 flocks. A suggestion that the Sheepbreeders' Afsociation should give- medals at different shows was carried during the year. Five medals were offered for competition at, the Christchurch Show, and three at the Dunedin Show, for the best ram over 16 months and under 28 months, the competing rams to be from registered flocks. The following were the winners:— Christchurch: English Leicester, R. andi J. Reid (Darfield); Shropshire. Leonard White (Rakaia); Southdown, Johns Bros (Belfast) : merino (strong combing!, A. W. Rutherford jun. (Brookdalc) ; merino (fine combing), not awarded. Dunedin: Border Leicester, T. S. Little (Ngapara.); Lincoln, New Zealand and Australian Land Co. (Moeraki Estate); Rornney Marsh, T. L. Barnhill (Castlerock, Lumsden). Members were again reminded that, when dispersing their flocks, they might ask for the appointment of an inspector to report on their flocks, and eo obviate individual inspection of small lots after dispersal. Several breeders availed themselves of this in the past year, and if advantage of it were more readily taken it would facilitate the registration of new flocks. The balance sheet showed that the re-ocipt-i for the year amounted to £463 5s Bd. of which subscriptions amounted to £231. The credit balance, after paying accounts, amounted to £46 9s lid. In the capital account the assets exceeded the liabilities bv £BSO 17s 10d.

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said it was fortunate that this year the council had had none of the troubles which had beset it the previous year. He referred to the increase in the flock book by the inclusion of the Oorricdalcs, which, he said, had made a most valuable addition to the work of the association. These sheep had taken a position in New Zealand which was of great value to the frozen meat trade and the production of wool. They were past the experimental stage, arv.l the association siliould take cognisance of the existence of so profitable a type of sheep. Trie association had taken a new stop in offering medals at shows, eight medals having been given last year. The medal which was not. awarded was not withheld for lack of qualitv. but because tho best sheep belonged to a class which was not registered. He drew tho attention of members to the clause in the report regarding inspection of flocks before dispersal, pointing out that such an inspection effected a very great saving, and was in the interests of the breeders and the association. Referring to the proposal to publish separate flock books in the North Island for each type of sheep, he expressed the opinion that that was not advisable, for a good many reasons. It was far better to have one flock book which was a handy work of reference. There would be more confidence in the minds of the public in a general flock l>ook, which was published and regulated bv an independent organisation such as the associa. tion. A flock book for any particufev* type of sheep would be in the hands of a few interested persons, and it would be far better if afl association which hud no special interest in the publication, and in which all classes were represented, had the publication and management of a work of this kind. The great object of all records of this sort was that they should be impartially conducted, and command the absolute confidence of the public. In regard to culling, he pointed out that breeders were not limited to 10 per cent., and contended that they should cull up to 20 and 30 per cent, if it was desirable to do so. If they wore to maintain a high standard in their purebred flocks, every indifferent sheep should be taken out. He congratulated the association on the state of the balance sheet, and expressed the hope that medals would again be given this year. Tho council had recommended that eight medals be given, and that they bo allocated by the executive. The council, however, had expressed a desire that Invercargill should be included in the allocation.

The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded by Mr 0. W. Re id. Mr 0. H. Ensor said that the association was doing a great deal of good in promoting pure breeds of sheep. He referred to the high prices for purebred rams in Tasmania, and hoped that New Zealand would soon be as successful o-s the Tasmanian Association. Tho motion was carried unanimously. Colonel Ohaffey suggested that a medal should be given for Corrkdales and lialfbreds this year. The Chairman said that fchte council would be glad to follow any lead given by the association. Mr Ensor supported the suggestion, which, he said, would assist the new breeds. The Chairman said that it was necessary to place the medals where there would bo sufficient competition, so that the winner would be worthy of the association's medal. It had been decided that no medal should be given where there were less than three owners represented. They could hardly avoid giving more medals to Christchurc'h. tlian to other shows, as they got better competition there. A medal for the Corriedales and halfbrede would have to be given in

; ChiirtpbwoJJ. which already awi a uirge I M the medals allotted to it. Mr Elisor drew uttentiofi fcv> «M cxpor+a- ! tion of sheep, and suggested fcbat <sulia were ] sometimes exported, ev/i oertifacates w given with them. The Chairman said that certificates had 'to-be given for sheep which came from ! registered flocks. The certificate was not • ' a certificate of merit. - Mr Ensor said that the sheep were sent to Australia with the hall-mark of the asso- . ciation on tliem. I Tho Chairman said that he had been in- , ! formed that a large number of owners ex- ; I porting sheep did not apply for certificates. ! Probably thousands were exported without i certificates. Mr Elisor's idea seemed to be : ' that there should be a special inspection, j i and a certificate of merit given. Mr Ensor said that a lot of sheep were ' j sent to Australia which they would not i show in their own fairs, and they were ; j damaging the reputation of New Zealand i sheep. It was no credit to the New /.ea- ; ! lard Flock Book that trash should be sent i The Chairman said that notice of motion , I should bo given to amend the rules if Mr ' Ensor desired to proceed further. An owner ! who exported poor sheep was going to lose | money. However, owners who had their j flocks" registered would have a grievance if they could not get a. certificate that the sheep tbey were exporting were purebred. ; i In reply to a question, the Chairman said | ! that if any ram shown at the fair was sua- j pected of "not being purebred, the associa- i ! tion would call upon the owner for an ex- ; I planation. and if necessary the owner's flock would also be inspected—Weekly Prcsa.