N.Z. FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 16

N.Z. FRIESIAN ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING OF OTAGO BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Otago branch of the Now' Zealand Friesian Association was held in the A. and P. Society’s board room on Thursday afternoon. There were 14 members present, and Mr E. North occupied the chair. In moving the adoption of the first annual report and balance sheet, the chairman stated that the committee had met several times during the year, and every effort, had been made to further the interests of the Friesian breed in Otago. During the coming summer an effort would be made to hold a Field Day in several districts in Otago, and members would be asked to do all possible to make these a success. Good progress had been made during the year with semi-official testing work. A Friesian cow owned by Mr Vernon Marx made a Dominion record with 31.3121 b of milk and 11451 bof butter-fat. Another cow had also passed the 10001 b mark. The average production of butter-fat of all the Friesians under test during 1922 showed a substantial increase in every class over the 1921 period. Of 20 cows that had given more than 8001 b of fat in a year, 18 were Friesians. A record number of Friesian cattle were sold in Ncw Zealand for shipment, and for these record prices were obtained. At the same time, there had been a steady demand inside our own country at very satisfactory prices, although the demand had been very slack for most of the other breeds. There was little doubt that the Friesian was becoming increasingly popular, and would continue to do so as time went on, so that by careful attention to breeding and feeding, combined with the testing of their cows, breeders could rest assured that there would always be a good demand for good catt’e. The balancec sheet showed a credit balance of £8 6s 6d, after making provision for a challenge cup valued at £ls 15s. The treasurer stated that out of 44 members only 21 had paid their subscriptions. Mr C. J. Payne said he had no time for members who did not pay their subscriptions. and he thought they should lose their privileges. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The following proposals were adopted: (a) That demonstrations be arranged in various districts with the co-operation oi members in said districts, the Otago District Committee to arrange for demonstration and a final demonstration for all breeders and those interested to be held at the farm of IT. North and Sons. Omimi; (b) That a demonstration be held at the Otago A. and P. Summer Show. The following remits to the conference at Palmerston North were agreed to:— (a) That the present list of official judges be cancelled ; (b) That a No. 1 list of judges be appointed, to consist of breeders who are qualified to judge at Metropolitan Shows; (c) That No. 2 list consist of breeders qualified to judge at country shows, those judges to qualify before a committee of three of No. 1 list before being transferred to No. 1 list. Mr E. North was appointed to represent the branch at the conference.

Hie following recommendations to the Otago A. and P. Society were agreed to: (a) that ail extra class be established for bu.l calves nine months and under; lb) Bull and two of his progeny; (c) 1 Two-year-old heifer in milk and (2) two-year-old heifer, dry ; fdj That classes 165 to 169 for unregistered cattle be deleted; (e) That the Otago A. and P. Association appoint an ofheer to see that- all cows and heifers in milk are milked out at 7 o’clock on the morning of the show; (f) That members of this association use their best efforts to prevent any hefting at country shows. If was decided to hold a judging competition at the Summer Show in Dunedin, and the incoming committee was instructed to draw up the necessary rules. The following committee was appointed for the ensuing year;—Messrs Jensen, Copland, Colbourne, North, Bowman, Payne, Wilkinson, Dpwie, and Robertson. Air Aitchison (Kaitangata) was apjiointed vice-president and honorary district demonsi rat or.