MATAMATA JERSEY CLUB

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1238, 10 July 1947, Page 2

MATAMATA JERSEY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING President Reviews Good Year There was an excellent attendance of about 39 members at the annual meeting of tha Matamata Jersey Cattle Breeders Club. President’s Review Mr. H. Lewis presided and in reviewing the past year stated^ — “Owing to the removal of war restrictions the club has been able to extend its activities considerably. The annual bull sale held in September was again vary successful and prices received for good bulls were very encouraging. The bulls were brought out in good order, and members now seem fully alive to the necessity of maintaining the excellent standard of the sale.

“For the first time for a good few years the club was able to again hold a Jersey demonstration day. The demonstration was held on Mr. Frank Garland’s farm and the club is indebted to Mr. Garland for supplying all the cattle required, not only for the demonstration but for the various judging competitions as wall. There was an attendance of over 200 and Mr. Guy ißell gave an excellent demonstration. The judging competitions were well patronisad, especially iby the Young Farmers’ Clubs and the classes' from Matamata College. This year’s demonstration was probably one of the most successful the club has yet staged, and there has been a lot of very favourable comment from the farming community in general - upon it.

“The annual show of the Matamata A. and P. Association was again well patronised by Jersey braeders, some of the very .best cattle in the province being exhibited. A pleasing feature was the success of some of tho neiw and younger breeders. Mr. Martin Trotter judged the Jersey classes, and there

was a largo attendance at the ringside of Jersey breeders and enthusiasts from all over the Waikato and South Auckland districts. “For the first time in the history of tho club a female sale was staged. The fixture was held at the showgrounds. The entry was limited to two and three-year-old heifers and yearling heifers. Practically a total clearance was effected, although with the exception' of a few lots, two-year-old heifers were dull of sale.- The yearling heifers, however, were outstanding and met a ready market, pricos obtained being more than satisfactory. Probably one of the best lines of yearlings to be offered was entered by Mr. A. Hazelton and these heifers easily topped tho sale. There seemed' to be a tendency upon the part of some breeders to offer two-year-old heifers that they did not wish to put into their own herds for obvious reasons. ■ Unless members are prepared to bring forward their good heifers it may not be advisable to again hold the sale. “The classification committee again visited the district and results were good. I would like to remind all members that a resolution was carried .at tha annual meeting of the association in Auckland last month recommending the council to make classification compulsory as soon as possible. This will undoubtedly be put into effect very shortly. “It is pleasing to nota that the 'membership cf the club has increased to over 50 members, and new members are mostly now and young local breeders. The finances of the club are in a sound position, and in conclusion I would like to thank all members for thair support, and trust that they will do all in their power to maintain the Jersey breed in the very high esteem it has obtained throughout the country.” The financial statement revealed that income for the yctar was £132 16s 9d, including £49 Is 7d brought forward. Subscriptions realised £23' and subsidies on same £l2 17s 6d, while the percentage on the bull sale/ was £26 12s Bd.

On the expenditure side the demonstration cost £2l 2a 3d and other payments were £34 16s to the Matamata A. and P. Association’s priza list, together with £4 2s 6d> for a miniature cup, £lO to the Tokoroa Association, and 30s to the Putaruru Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club. The credit balance was £45 9s 2d. Officers Elected The election of officers fer the eneuing year resulted: President, Mr. H. Lewis; vice-presidsints, Messrs. C. Hazelton, J. A. Ranger, E. T. Williams; secretary and treasurer, Mr. M. E. Gould; auditor, Mr. P. Catchpole; executive, Messrs. W. F. Garland, N. M. Colson, F. C. Richmond, H. F. Amoore, A. G. Melrose. Female Sale A short discussion took place on the charges for tha recent female sale, a member stating that he had heard there were complaints. Mr. J. A. Ranger stated that he had none, and Mr. W. F. Garland stated that he was satisfied.

The chairman, reading from his account, stated that at the bul 1 sale he had sevcm bulls in the catalogue and sold five, the charges being £2l. He did not think the female sale was any different. 'Mr. M. E. ‘Gould commented that there were 80 bulls catalogued as against 40 females, and that fact alone would double certain costs, such as advertising and printing. Mr. Lewis urged that the question be held over until the next meeting. When they were trying to start a sale and thera were only 32 in-calf heifers, with tha rest yearlings, they could not be hard. If breeders had heifers they did not like and put them in tho sale, they should not expect others to like thcen.

Mr. Brookes suggested that it was the natural thing to do, but the chairman replied that in his opinion, such, which were in reality culls, should be sold as grades. It was then agreed to hold any further discussion over.