STOCK BREEDERS' MEETINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 13

STOCK BREEDERS' MEETINGS

HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS. (Feom Our Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON N., Juno 22. Mr W. Lovelock presided over a largo attendance of Holstein-Friesian breeders at tho annual meeting of tho New Zealand Association, held at Palmerston North on Wednesday. The co.uncjA reported a very successful year, one that could be regarded from every point of view as a record. During the past year there had been a great deal of uncertainty as to how tho war would affect business, but the great demand for all produce quickly restored confidence, and sales of Holstoin-Friesians proved more successful than ever, the averages obtained clearly showing the increasing popularity of tho breed. The number of transfers put through latterly was easily a record. During the year no fewer than 62 new members joined, making tho total membership 330; and financially also substantial progress had been made. Though there were still a few members who had not yet made themselves properly acquainted with the standard required for markings and typo, these were now reduced to a minimum. Seventy-live cows and heifers had been tasted by the semi-official scheme, and in all classes tho standard was passed very substantially. Numerous inquiries had been received from Australia for stud stock, and a number of sales had eventuated; and it was anticipated that an extensive trade with the Commonwealth would be inaugurated. The council complimented Messrs J. Donald and A. 11. Steel, an ex-member and a member of the council, for volunteering to go to tho front, and also a number of members of the association, and the hopo was expressed that they would all return safe and sound. Congratulatory reference was made to tho work of the secretary-, Mr W. M'Kcnzie. Tho balance sheet showed receipts to have been £782 19s 3d, and expenditure £435 15s 4d, leaving a credit of £248 4s 4d. Tho assets wore £1849 4s 6d. and liabilities nil. The report and balance- sheet were adopted on the ' motion of Mr Bunny without discussion. Officers were elected as follows:—President. Mr J. H. Parkinson (Opotiki); vicepresidents, Messrs E. C. Banks (Matamata) and C. C. Buckland (Cambridge); treasurer, Mr J. Liggins (Tokomarn); auditor, Mr P. L. Sim; Editing Committee, tho council; council—Messrs G. Aitchison (Kaitangata), Newton King (New Plymouth), A. J. Gallichan (Palmerstcn North!, W. I. Lovelock (Palmerston North), F. 11. Leonard (Auckland, A. IT. Street (Bell Rock); District Committee: Auckland—R. S. Hodgson, F. II Leonard. S. Hodge, F. Smedlev, G. Kay. G. Nieoll, C. A. Fawcotfc, 'A. M. Barriball, J. L. Price; Auckland South — C. C. Buckland, J. 11. Parkinson, E. C. Banks, W. M. Carter, G. 11. Gilling, Gadsley, S. Knight; Taranaki —Messrs Newton, King, IT. Johnson, W. James, G. W. Marchant. W. R. Wright; Wairarapa— Messrs Coleman, Phillips, H. A. Bunny. E. H. Buckeridgo, W. Barton, W. A. Hart, R. B. Sayer; Canterbury—J. C. N. Grigg, A. S. Elworthy, W. M'Loughlin, J. Boag, Crump Bros., F. Overton. W. li. Montgomery ; Otago and Southland —Messrs M. Lcith.'W. D. Hunt, J. Wylie, G. Aitchcson, J. Morris, J. Pirie, N. E, Leighton. It was decided to pay tho subscriptions of members who have gone io tho front; to supply them with herd books; and to

compile a roll of honour of members who have gone to the front, and also of their eons. The sum of £SO was vctcd to the Sailors' Wives Fund. Mr A. Logan (Maketoku) donated a cup, valued at £lO ICs, to be awarded to the row securing the highest semi-official test for two years. NEW ZEALAND AYRSHIRIiS. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Ayrshire Breeders' Association was held at j.'almcrston North. The balance sheet showed that the financial position had improved, and report that the memberi ship was the same as last year —namely, i 141. Though more members had taken advantage of semi-official testing, there was still much room for improvement-. Election of officers resulted in Mr D. Buchanan being returned president, and Messrs Lonsdale, F. Mills, and W. Hall were elected to fill vacancies on the committee. It was decided to recommend the incoming committee to close the appendix to bulls, but that cows by registered bulls bo still allowed registration in the herd Look. It was further resolved that the incoming committee be recommended to inaugurate an Ayrshire Derby sweepstake, the calves to bo entered within the first month of birth and completed when the heifer is three years old. PIG BREEDERS. There was a large gathering of pig breeders at Palmerston, when matters connected with the New Zealand Pig Breeders' Association wore advanced and put on a permanent basis. Mr Fetch presided. The balanoo sheet showed that receipts totalled £45 3s and expenditure £lB Is 7d, leaving a balance of £27 Is lid; and was adopted. The report showed that since the formation of the* association on November 5, 1915, steady progress had been made in increased membership, and entries for the herd book were most encouraging. The report wa« adopted. The president stated that, though the rules provided that no pig could be placed in the herd book without pedigrees of four generations being supplied, that did not apply in the case of pigs which could bo traced back two or three generations to animals that were registered in another herd book.

Other spoakeia considered that the herd hook should be open to pigs from -.veilknown breeders who may not have kept their extended pedigree, but could guarantee that they were from pure strain. Filling in the extended pedigree form would block every man in the country. Mr F. Mills considered that the rules would make the conditions toe drastic, it was a difficult matter to keep full pedigrees. It had been customary to issue pedigrees with three generations, and as a number of original breeders had gone out of business it might be modified for a year or two. It would lie hardened up ! ater on. He pointed out that there had previously been no herd look in which records could be kept. Other members were of opinion that the. rule would considerably hamper membership. ~ , . • Mr A. W. Green, representing the Agricultural Department, stated that they had issued close on 100 pedigrees since January 1, and had onlv issued them to the third generation. Every pig that could showthree generations should be inspected before being admitted to tho herd book. He thought that tho Agricultural Department would give every assistance. The President said that the fourth generation was decided upon by the council. ai:ter duo consideuation, but they were willing to amend it if the meeting so desired. Mr Rogers ob'etcd to an appendix. Only the very" best should be allowed into the book. It was eventually on tho motion of Mr Knight, to open tho herd book to pigs whose pedigree- dated back to tho third generation. Tho rules were then confirmed, and authority was iriven lo register the ?-"<cv^. Tho time for receiving entries for tho

herd book was extended until November 1. 1916. (Subscriptions to the herd book woe fixed at 10s 6d. Tho fee for registration was fixed at — members, 2s 6d; non-members, 5s each animal. It was resolved to hold tho annual general meeting at Palmerston at Winter Show time. The Secretary (Mr Linton, of Foildins) was voted an honorarium of £lO. ROMNEY MARSH. Thero was a large attendance of the New Zealand Romnoy Marsh Breedi is' Association at the annual meeting, hold on Thursday afternoon, Mr A. Mathews presiding. The report referred to tho continued advancement of tho association The cash at bank stands at £ll6 7s Bd, and tho sum of £774 is placed on fixed deposit, making « total of £B9O 7s 8d ; while, after making provision for all .-labilities, the accumulated funds of tho association amount to £lll9 \is —an increase of £76 13s 5d for tho past 12 months. Tho number of registered

flocks at tho commencement of the year was 310. During tho year 27 new flocks were admitted; 22 flocks were dispersed during (he ]2 months, leaving 324 registered flocks at December 31, 1015. Volume XII of IJi<• Flock Hook was now in hand., and would ho circulated to members as soon as published. The council reported last year that a representative <■■ llcction of Romnoy wool had been forwarded to the PanamaPacific Exposition at S:m Francisco. This exhibit has been awarded a modal of honour, which has still to bo received from tho Exhibition authorities. It has been decided to < 1 i .-■, j >!; i > the show caso in the Wheeler Memorial Pavilion at Palmerston North. The council Ins drawn up a revised list of inspectors to carry out the work of examining and tattooing sheen as required by members, and it has been decided to give members the right of appeal against the report of inspectors. In the course of his presidential address. Mr Mathews, said tho Romnoy Marsh brood had not lost any of its popularity and there had been a steady improvement in tho breeding. .Flocks were increasing

■ rapidly- -perhaps too quickly. He was afraid ! that some breeders were not taking the | same interest and care they did at first. ' The association was doing all it possibly cculd to raise the standard, and the inspectors bad implicit instructions to be very careful without doing any injustice to breeders. Regarding tho export of sheep, ho urged breeders to send away nothing but rams and ewes—sheep which would do credit to the Dominion. New Zealand Romiuys were head and' shoulders above English Romncys, and after the war there would probably be a big demand for stock from the Dominion. Officers wero elected as follow:—President. Mr A. Mathews (Featherston) ; viceprcsidents—Messrs E. Short (Feilding) and A S. Holmes (Invcrcargill); lion, treasurer. Mr W. Jacobs (Palmcrslon North); auditors—Messrs J. Knight and J. W. Corpe; council—Messrs D. Buchanan, R. Grav, J. W. Harding, E. E. Hewitt, and P. Mungavin.