BOYS AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 17

BOYS AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

RESULTS OF CROP COMPETITIONS. The Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs’ Association lias just completed its first year’s operations, and the executive has every reason to be satisfied with the Character and value of the work done. The winner of Sutton’s Silver Challenge Cup, presented by Messrs Sutton and Sons, Reading (England), to the Otago Agricultural Clubs’ Association to be awarded to the competitor gaining the highest aggregate points in the crop-growing competition in accordance with the standard scale of points as allotted by the executive Of the association, was Thomas Landreth, Katea School, junior division, who grew ft crop of carrots gaining a total aggregate score of 88A points (max. 100). CARROT GROWING COMPETITION (Variety: “Red Intermediate.”) CHAMPIONSHIPS. Intermediate. Division—Jessie Wilkinson, Teaneraki School, 80 points. Junior Division.—Thomas Landreth, Katea School, 88J points. RESERVE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Intermediate Division.—R. Newlands, Kauru Hill School, 71 points. Junior Division.—N. Lory, Awamoko School, 81 points. SPECIAL AWARDS. Most Points in Field Work (Max. 50) .—lntermediate, R. Newlands, Kauru Hill School, oO points; junior, T. Landreth, Katea School, 50 points. Mos . t . P°! nts , in Record Keeping (Max. 30) .—lntermediate. Jessie Wilkinson, leaneraki School, 16 points; junior, T. Landreth, Katea School, 22 points. GROUP WINNERS. The group winners were as follow: — INTERMEDIATE DIVISION. JUNIOR DIVISION. Group 1. Group 1. Marjorie Heeny, Lowburn School .. 1 Corin- Ashworth, Galloway School 1 Lindsay beott, Bannockburn School 2 Alice Henderson, Lowburn School “ ” James Kelman, Galloway School .. 3 Bert Collings. Wanaka School .. L 3 Group 2. Group *> Jessie Wilkinson, Teaneraki School .. 1 N. Lorv, Awamoko Schooi 1 R. -Newlands, Kauru Hill 2 Stewart Dick. Weston School " " 2 John Borrie, Papakaio 3 Bruce Dick, Weston School ’” 3 i r> • < "J ro 'A p • 3 i' Group 3. Alexander Baird. Brighton .. .. 1 Thomas Nichol. Lee Stream School 1 Douglas Fairbairn. Port Chalmers .. 2 John Deans. Lee Stream 2 Thomas Powell, Waitati 3 Douglas Withers, Maungatua School 3 Group 4. Group 4 Cora Grant, Romahapa School .. .. 1 Thomas Landreth. Katea School 1 John Johnston, Romahapa School .. 2 Nancy M’Donald, Lovell’s Flat School 2 ■Violet Johnston, Romahana School .. 3 Mary Kean, Katea School .. .. 3 DETAILED RESULTS. ’ Group 1. Cultivation. Records. Total Pos. in Pos. in Max. 50. Max. 30. Yield. Points. Group. Division. Division Galloway—

* Chart not completed. No marks allotted. hv n Th pS e i^ d^ C f aCTC 'c a f 15 i tons 18cwt 3qr ’ and the hi S hest Vicki, secured G. lientice, loit Molyneux School, was 44 tons llcwt 2qr. MANGEL GROWING COMPETITION (Variety: “Prizewinner Yellow Globe.”) CHAMPIONSHIPS. Intermediate Division.—James Rowlands, Teaneraki School, 76 points. Junior Division.—lvan Smith, Palmerston School, 76 points. RESERVE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Intermediate Division.—Hector M’Donald, Lovell’s Flat School, 75 points. Junior Division.—Kenneth Gibson, Teaneraki School, 74J points. SPECIAL AWARDS. Most Points in Field Work (Max. 50). —Intermediate, Owen Seabill, Windsor behool, 49 points; junior, Ivan Smith, Palmerston School, 49 points. ln , Keeping (Max. 30) .—lntermediate, Hector M’Donald, box ells Mat School, 20 points; junior. N. Lory, Awamoko School, 16 points. GROUP WINNERS. The group winners were as follow:— INTERMEDIATE DIVISION. ' JUNIOR .DIVISION. Group 1. Group 1 1 Arth.,.-A.l,Gallia.,. SeUo,.. ! ' ’’ Nevill Clark, Gimmerburn School .. 2 T „ p , G , r „ ou P 2 \. , Wynn Chisholm, Wanaka School .. 3 James Rowlands, Teaneraki School .. 1 o Keith Falloon, Weston School .... 2 T „. , _ ljroup 2 - Owen Scahill, Windsor School 3 ; van Smlth > Palmerston School .. 1 c n ’ Kenneth Gibson, Teaneraki School .. 2 Scott Gray, Seacliff School .... 1 N ’ L ° ry ’ A "' amo ’ io Schnol 3 Douglas Morrison, Maungatua School 2 • Group 3. lona Black, Maungatua School .. .. 3 Mary Simpson, Maungatua School .. 1 Group 4 Morrison, Maungatua School .. 2 Hector M’Donald, Lovell’s Flat School 1 Keith Young, Allanton School .. .. 3 E. Wright, Owaka School 2 Group 4. L. Brown, Owaka School 3 Allan M’Laren, Romahapa School .. 1 DETAILED RESULTS. - Cultivation and Man- Total agement. Records. Aggreg. I’os. in Pos. in Max. 50. Max. 30. Yield. Points. Group. Division. Division.

ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING.

The first annual meeting of the Otago Agricultural Clubs’ Association was held on Saturday morning in the Otago Expansion League’s rooms. The president (Mr C. R. Smith) was in the chair, and there was a fair attendance of members. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated,.inter alia: — Otago is claimed to be one of the first centres in New Zealand to inaugurate the agricultural club scheme, and early in 1919 local club formation is recorded which was then conducted under the auspices of the Otago Expansion League and had been continued annually up to the present, in co-operation with the

Farmers’ Union and the Department cf Agriculture. Activities were confined en tircly to potato growing competitions, and were limited to comparatively few districts. However, these small clubs revealed much useful information, and several, demands were made for their expansion, but no definite extension was made owing to the lack of a central controlling organisation working entirely m the interests of club development. In view of the considerable discussion which has taken place recently regarding the need for an agricultural bias in the State education syllabus, many requests were made for the establishment of an agricultural clubs’ association devoting its activities entirely to the development of an agricultural club scheme. In this direction a central executive was formed

at Dunedin in July, 1930, consisting of delegates from the Department of Agriculture, Education Board, Farmers’ Union, A. and P. Associations, Otago Expansion League, Chambers of Commerce. Teachers’ Institute, Training College, and the home science department of the Otago University. The outcome of this meeting vvas to launch immediately an extensive scheme of work covering all schools in the Otago district, competitions toembody both calf rearing and crop growing, and the conditions governing both competitions to be of a similar nature to those now existing in the Southland district. .All schools were circularised, and, despite limited time for local organisation and the restricted dissemination" of the executive’s policy, the response in entries was beyond expectation, and die enthusiasm aroused indicates that much important work and great possibilities await development through the agricultural club scheme, as not only are the members receiving sound training in some form of agriculture, but they are encouraged to be systematic recorders of important facts concerning their findings in the detailed management of stock and crops.

Much useful information has been gained from the past season’s work, and the executive is fully convinced that to develop the club ideals more personal contact between agricultural instructors of the Department of Agriculture and the Education Department is required; but when the wide field of activities is taken into consideration, together with limited staff and financial difficulties, it will be realised that co-ordination in this respect presents some difficulties. The executive regrets that owing to the large membership and the remoteness of many school centres it was found impossible to visit each plot other than for final judging. Much of the work wag therefore left locally to the teachers and supervisors, who. apart from distributing seeds and manure, carried out the preliminary judging of crops, and coached the competitors in many phases of club work. It was apparent, however, that in some districts the scheme of work was not fully understood, and the rules were not adhered to in their entirety. It is realised that the experience gained throughout the season will enhance development of local interest for future work. The executive expresses its appreciation to competitors, parents, teachers, supervisors, and judges for their co-operation. While it is regretted that several school districts were not supported by local supervisors the executive feels that the community in general must realise the value of the movement which has been successfully inaugurated, and that no difficulty will in future be experienced in obtaining the services of interested persons to act as supervisors throughout districts covered by agricultural clubs. After due consideration the executive decided that the crop competition be confined to mangel and carrot growing, covering both the intermediate and junior divisions, the former plots being l-40th of an acre in extent and the junior l-70th-acre plots. The work of the clubs on the whole was verv satisfactory, considering the adverse weather conditions. Many plots suffered severely soon after planting from heavy rains and hailstorms, whilst in the drier districts from December onwards crops were stunted from the lack of moisture. There was no outstanding yield in any crop, yet the average for the competitions may be considered fair. The field work in general can be much improved upon. There were some really model plots, and it is hoped that such plots have set a standard for future guidance in lay-out, neatness, cultivation, ami management, etc. Several requests have been made for a reduction in the size of the plots, particularly in the junior division, and for such a crop as carrots. In all probability this will be arranged, and the junior plots will be reduced from l-70th of an acre to l-160th of an acre. The crop competition was judged under the following headings: — (1) Cultivation and management; (2; records, and (3) yield. Record keeping leaves much to be desired, and it is evident from the returns that the record keeping did not appeal to many of the contestants. Had as much care been devotod to this important phase of the work the results in the prize list would have differed, and the whole standard of work would have been considerably raised. The calf-rear-ing competition is entirely a new feature for Otago, and the response given to this section of work augurs well for future development. Again, as in the crop competition, a lack of local supervisors was in evidence. The attendance of farmers at local school parades would lend much encouragement to competitors, and, further, these parades can be made equally as instructive to farmers as to the members themselves. Thirty-six school districts formed clubs with 125 members commencing the work; 31 schools and 75 competitors finally completed and presented their calves for judging. The competition was judged on the following basis:—Condition (maximum 50 points), dairy’ type (maximum 20 points), records (maximum 30 points). In the crop growing competition 320 entered. 126 finally completing the work, making a grand total membership in both calfrearing and crop-growing of 435 entrants, 201 completing the work. The value of the various competitions to the fanners in the district cannot be overlooked, and the detailed attention to the care and management of crops and stock with recorded observations must prove of definite educational value to the members themselves. The executive and the community in general have profited by the past season’s experience just as surety as the many club members. There has been a general desire among delegates that in addition to field work, activities should be extended to include an appropriate section of work for girl members. In this direction the home science department of Otago University offered full cooperation. A scheme was launched late in the season, and was entirely of an experimental nature, and confined to fruit and vegetable preserving competitions open to girls under 16 years of age. The work wag restricted to Cromwell, Alexandra, and Roxburgh School districts. Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh, and Bannockburn School districts formed clubs, and a total of 77 was received in the various classes of competition. The in-’ terest evinced in these centres has no doubt established a new phase of club work. This, together with final results, indicates that this section of work has great possibilities and merits careful consideration for expansion in the forthcoming season’s project. The preserved

products of this section were staged n> the Agricultural Club Bay at the Dunedin Winter Show, the exhibit proving a most attractive feature and being the subject of much favourable comment. It was also gratifying and interesting to note that at the Home Industries Exhibition held at Cromwell, the promoters arranged to exhibits, in a prominent position, the club products sent in by girls from the Cromwell district. In addition to the organising work of the Agricultural Department, the executive speck ally expresses its appreciation to the stall of the home science department. Univer- : sity of Otago, which undertook all in- < structional work and visited each centre for demonstration purposes. The success of this section of the work is mainly due to its efforts, and it is anticipated that , equal support will be forthcoming for ■ next season’s work. Tn moving the adoption of the report the chairman said that the aims of the association were to foster in young people an inti rest in stock and the land, and to impress upon them the desirability of a thorough knowledge of agriculture. Through the agency of the clubs it was hoped to retain an harmonious working relationship between the people Oi the towns and those of the country. The forces of science and practical agriculture would be co-ordinated, and by inculcating in the younger generation an intelligent interest in the affairs of tne land the effect of the clubs would be to assist in stemming the drift from the country to the cities. A great amount of help had been received by the association from the Department of Agriculture, the Education Department, the University authorities, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and the Otago Expansion League. It was largely through the good offices of these bodies that the movement had been put on its feet. The chairman paid a tribute to the assistance rendered to the association by the headmasters of schools in the districts where the chibs operated. Their cooperation had been of inestimable benefit to the association, as the whole of the organisation and control had been centred under their direction. He referred to the lack of a sound agricultural grounding in the schools, and said that in the mean time the object of the clubs was to fill that deficiency. Up to the present time, he said, the children had taken no part in the actual control of the movement, but it was in their own interests that they should do so. and be thought that if they paid a small fee for membership they would be inclined to take a greater interest in the clubs than before. The Government was opposed to such a proposal. but it had been carried out in Southland, where boys' and girls’ agricultural clubs had been in existence for several years, and had been attended with success.

The motion was seconded by Mr G. J. Errington, and carried unanimously. The balance sheet, revealing a credit balance of £2l 12s lOd, was presented by the treasurer (Mr L. W. M'Caskill) and adopted. Mr M'Caskill warned the members that, although ‘he financial position of the association appeared to be fairly secure at the present time, it would suffer considerably when work which it was proposed to do during the coming year had been carried out. He thought also that a fee should be paid by members in view of contingencies that might arise.

Sutton’s silver Challenge Cup. for the highest aggregate points in the cropgrowing competition, was presented by the chairman to Thomas Landreth, of the Katea School junior division, with 88.1 points, and the other trophies, particulars of which were published on Friday, were also presented. Mr C. R. Smith was re-elected president for the ensuing year, and Air F. G. A. Stuckey was elected vice-president.

James Kclnian Corin Ashworth .. 33 .. 4G 9 15 12 17 54 78 t) 1 16 4 Intermediate Junior Waipiata— Douglas Howell William Dawle 37 3G * 111 114 48 4 474 4 11 IS 34 Intermediate Junior Bannockburn— Lindsay Scott Mavis Crombie Albert Crombie Edward Hodgson 42 23 34 47 4 184 12 12 12 644 35" 4G G4 6 2 4 21 15 . Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Junior Lowburn— Marjorie Heeny H. Campbell 40 28 12 9 15 11 G7 48 1 10 5 Intermediate Agnes Henderson 41 12 16 G9 4 12 el unior Alice Henderson 41 12 IS 71 o 9 tTunior C. King 40 3 13J 5GJ 8 25 Junior Gimnierburn— Keith Patterson Wanaka—3G 6 13 00 9 28 Junior D. Gunn 3G 10 12 58 *■» 23 ,J U Jj J QP Bert Collings Alexandra— 46 10 14 70 O 11 Junior E. Nightingale •• 41 3 16 GO G 19 J unior Tokarahi— Group 2. Marjorie Wilson 40 4 4 48 9 19 Intermediate Gray Hughes • ■ 49 ,) 9 G3 4 9 I ntermediate Phyllis Hughes 49 5 9 63 4 9 Intermediate ’May Wilson 40 4 6 50 12 32 J unior Pukeuri— Robert Craig Stanley Paton 421 43 ♦ ♦ 14 424 57 11 6 13 Intermediate I ntermediate John Blacktnuir 37 * 9 4G 14 35 Junior Papakaio— John Borrie 43 9 14 GG 3 6 Intermediate Waianakarua— H. Lucas 40 * 14 54 11 29 Junior Teaneraki — Jessie Wilkinson 49 16 15 so 1 1 Intermediate Marion Prater 33 12 — 45 10 22 Intermediate George Cornick 39 8 13 60 8 20 Junior William Anderson 33 8 9 50 12 32 Junior Kauru Hill— R. Newlands 50 6 15 71 2 9 Intermediate David Shaw 39 3 124 544 7 15 Intermediate Awamoko N. Lory 47 14 20 81 1 o Junior Kakanui— A. M’Donald 34 * 14 48 13 33 Junior Palmerston— Francis Ross 44 11 13 68 7 14 Junior Oscar Smith 49 11 14 74 4 6 Junior Edna Phillips 43 12 16} 71 i 6 9 Junior C. Chisholm .. 44 14 14 72 G •7 Junior Bert Ross 44 * 18 62 5 16 Intermediate Weston— Bruce Dick 48 12 17 77 3 R Junior Owen Laney .. 45 14 59 9 no Junior Raymond Park 42 4 12 58 10 23 Junior Stewart Dick 47 12 20 79 o 3 Junior Ivan Smart .. • • 34 4 12 50 8 17 Intermediate Waitati— Group 3. Thomas Powell 44 * 13 57 3 13 Intermediate John Philpott 42 # 13 55 5 10 Intermediate Port ChalmersDouglas Fairbairn 45 4 12 61 2 12 Intermediate G. Johnston .. 32 ♦ 104 424 11 3G Junior Seacliff — Finlay Todd 43 * 12 55 4 14 Intermediate High Street — Donald M'Farlane 42 # 6 48 6 19 Intermediate . Thomas Irving 47 * 6 53 7 30 Junior Brighton— Alexander Baird 48 44 13} 61 i 1 11 Intermediate William Bush 32 ♦ S' 40 7 24 Intermediate North-East Harbour — Richard Ferguson 41 * 14} 55} 4 •7 Junior Mosgiel D. High— 154 David Mitchell 32 ♦ 47* 9 34 Junior Lee Stream — Douglas Roberts 37 4 14 55 28 Junior Thomas Nichol 41 4 144 594 1 21 Junior John Deans 44 ♦ 15" 59' 2 90 J unior Maungatua— Francis Reece 22 3 — 25 13 39 Junior John Little 30 11 15 56 3 26 Junior Douglas Withers 30 8 13 51 8 31 Junior William Thomson 33 0 16 • 54 6“ 29 Junior Raymond M'Leod 23 8 —— 31 12 38 Junior Elsie Richards 21 9 14 44 10 36 Junior

Owaka D. High— Group 4. William Turnbull Romahapa— 32 * 151 471 5 20 Intermediate Violet Johnston Cora Grant .. John Johnston Agnes Gawn Lovell’s Flat— • • 48 46 49 43 * « 15 164 15 10J 63 67j 64 534 3 1 2 4 9 3 8 8 Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Flora M'Donald 47 17 10 74 4 6 Junior Nancy M'Donald Katea— • • 48 17 131 781 x' 4 Junior Thomas Landreth . - 50 22 161 884 1 1 J unior John Horan .. Frank Kean 40 42 3 14 16 574 63 11 7 24 16 Junior Junior Mary Kean .. Milburn— • • 44 11 151 704 3 10 Junior Netty Struthers 38 7 16 61 8 17 J unior Isabel Finch 35 8 15 58 10 23 Junior Bertha Taylor . a 35 9 14 58 10 23 Junior Ella Hay 41 - 7 161 641 6 14 J unior Walter Bowie 47 7 13 67 5 13 Junior Port Molyneux— Roy Parks .. 46 * 141 604 9 18 Junior George Prentice D unrob in— 42 21“ 63“ 7 16 Junior Dorothy Alorton 48 5 14 67 5 13 J unior Graham M’Kenzie 48 u 14 67 13 Junior

G tlloway— Group 1. 56 71 1 1 10 4 Intermediate J unior Alister dearie Arthur Ashworth .. 40 .. 46 6 12 10 13 Lowburn—• D. Henderson W anaka— .. 31 * i 38 2 18 Intermediate Ella Templeton .. 45 8 7 60 4 9 Junior Wynn Chisholm .. 43 12 7 62 3 8 Junior Gimmerburn— Nevill Clark 46 9 8 63 x' 7 Junior Kakanui — Group 2. * S. Wilson .. J .. 35 * 9 44 9 17 Intermediate Awamoko— N. Lory .. 46 16 12 74 3 3 Junior Pukeuri— James Paton .. 38 « 10 48 8 16 Intermediate Teaneraki— James Rowlands .. 46 15 15 76 1 1 Intermediate Kenneth Gibson .. 48 13 134 744 o o Junior James Coughlan .. 42 10 14 66 3 Junior Waianakarua — A. M'Nab .. • • 47 * 4 51 7 10 Junior Weston— James Hamilton .. 40 10 13 63 5 7 Junior Keith Falloon Kauru Hill— .. 47 15 11 73 o 3 Intermediate R. Newlands .. 48 * 6 54 6 12 Intermediate Windsor— Owen Scahill .. 49 12 10 71 3 4 Intermediate Lloyd Ransom .. 45 10 15 70 4 ; j Intermediate Arthur Howard .. 36 11 7 54 6 12 Intermediate Papakaio— — David Borrie .. 42 6 3 53 7 13 Intermediate Gilbert Riddell .. 43 7 9 59 5 9 Intermediate Palmerston D.H.— Ivan Smith .. 49 15 12 76 1 1 Junior K. Hitchcock .. 40 7 13 60 6 9 Junior H. Hitchcock .. 40 9 14 63 5 7 Junior Mosgiel D. High— Group 3. Seaton M’.Cartney .. 40 * 10 50 5 15 Intermediate Douglas Brown .. 40 * 14 54 4 12 Intermediate Seacliff— Scott Gray .. 48 6 14 68 1 6 Intermediate Maungatua— Iona Black .. 46 6 10 62 3 8 Intermediate David Reece .. 33 2 3 38 6 18 Intermediate Douglas Morrison .. 46 5 13 64 2 7 Intermediate Hubert Morirson .. 35 3 13 51 2 10 J unior Mary Simpson .. 48 12 15 75 1 3 Junior Allanton— Keith Young .. 35 * 12 47 3 11 Junior John Thompson .. 32 * 13 45 4 12 Junior Lovell’s Flat— Group 4. Hector M’Donald .. 48 20 7 75 1 2 Intermediate Romahapa— Allan M'Laren .. 36 ♦ 4 40 1 13 Junior Owaka D. High— D. Wright .. 44 3 8 55 2 11 Intermediate L. Brown .. 44 « 7 51 3 14 Intermediate Heaviest yielding crop: Mary Simpson, Mating atua School, 62 tons per acre. Average yield for competition : 34 tons lewt Iqr.