LIVE STOCK AND THE FARM

Southland Times, Issue 20831, 20 July 1929, Page 14

LIVE STOCK AND THE FARM

THE ROYAL SHOW. ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY. The sixth annual meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society was held in the Conference Hall, Farmers’ Institute, Wellington on Wednesday June 26. There were present 47 members from different parts of the Dominion, and Mr W. Perry occupied the chair. ,■ In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet the president stated that it was with pleasure that he was able to state that the society had progressed a little financially. 1 The year had given them a little over .£4OO more than the previous year but at the same time it must be admitted that that did not come through membership, which was growing less. Last year the membership was 642, and it now stood at 467, but probably more would come in before the year closed. The position regarding membership was not altogether satisfactory. The principal event of the year had been the Royal Show held at Palmerston North, and as far as stock was concerned, this had been a pronounced success. He had taken particular notice of the stock shown, and there was no doubt it had been representative of the best in New Zealand. The classes had not been so large as at Canterbury, but the quality had been distinctly good, in fact better than at most of our Royal Shows. The weather had been against the Show, and yet the public turned out in large numbers. It appeared that a Royal Show would bring the people out if they were interested in stock, irrespective of weather conditions, Had the weather been fine at Palmerston North, the attendance would have been much larger. Accommodation, particularly in respect to sheep, was not yet adequate, and the stock which had had to remain outside had had a hard time. The time was coming when all the stock would be under cover, even if the classes had to be cut down. The sheep should be kept in their pens and fed in them. Regarding future Royal Shows, he considered that the policy should be determined by a committee comprising five or six from the Royal Society and a similar number from the A. and P. Associations concerned. The amount received from, the Manawatu Agricultural Show from the last Royal Show was only £62 which was not very helpful. The £lOOO the Government granted was of great assistance to the Society. The Railways had again excelled themselves in carrying stock and passengers at excursion fares to the last Royal Show, and the Wellington Harbour Board and the shipping company’s had also met them in every possible way. He again complimented the secretary on his rail and steamer transport arrangements both to and from the Royal Show. The motion* to adopt the report and balance sheet was seconded by Mr. H. B. Stuckey, and carried. Mr Penny (secretary', Manawatu A. and P. Association) explained that in assessing the Royal Society’s share of the show expenses he had taken two-fifths of the average for the past six years for—office and caretaker’s salaries, postage, telegram and bureau fees, stationery. Nothing had been charged by his association for maintenance, rates and taxes. Moreover, his association had not had much advantage from the donations from the various Breed Societies. Under the above plan the Royal Agricultural Society’s share of expenses worked out at £571 4/9.

Mr. J. Price suggested that individual membership of the Royal Agricultural Society should be abolished and that the affiliated A. and P. Associations throughout the Dominion should pay an annual subscription of 2% or 3% of their membership subscriptions instead of \ c /o as at present. The president stated that such a suggestion would prove unworkable as at the present time many A. and P. Associations found it a difficult job to pay over even 1%. Walker and Hall Shield. The president introduced Mr Helyar, manager of Messrs Walker and Halls Wellington Branch, who desired to formally present the Walker and Hall Challenge Shield valued at 200 guineas. Mr Helyar stated that soon after the inception of the Royal Agricultural Society the secretary had pointed out to him that in certain pure-bred classes at the first Royal Shows the entries in some classes had been very meagre. The secretary suggested that Messrs Walker and Hall should donate something to encourage an- increase in the number of entries. He (Mr Helyar) thereupon consulted his principals who decided that a Challenge Shield to the value of 200 guineas should be offered as a prize to the winner of the highest aggregate points in pure-bred classes at each Royal Show. In order to make the Shield as attractive as possible he decided that the Shield should embrace certain characteristics which—(l) had to be such that the interest of the members would be secured; (2) should be such that would arouse the interest of the general public, and (3) should have a certain bearing upon the competition for which it was to be offered. In the plotting out of the design which was a typical New Zealand one, he had been helped considerably by the late Dr. J. A. Thomson and Messrs Eldon Best and Anderson. It therefore gave him much pleasure to formally hand over the Challenge Shield on behalf of his firm, with one stipulation, viz., that the shield was not to pass out of the hands of the Royal Agricultural Society. It was too delicate in workmanship and too valuable to send all over the Dominion to holders. His experience was that considerable damage had often been done to challenge trophies in transit. The president, on behalf of the society heartily thanked Mr Helyar and Messrs Walker and Hall for such an elaborate and valuable trophy. He felt sure that it would be the means of many exhibitors increasing their numbers of entries at the Royal Shows, in order to try and win the trophy. He moved that Mr. Helyar be made a life member of the society. Mr Q. Donald stated that he had much pleasure in seconding the motion. Mr. Helyar thanked the society for the great honour conferred upon him which in reality was upon his firm, the donors of the shield. Election of Officers. Mr W. Perry (Masterton) was re-elected president for the ensuing-year. Messrs G. A. Troup (Wellington) and J. Price (Invercargill)!..were elected vice-presidents. Mr A. M. Retemeyer on behalf of the scrutineers reported that Messrs A. Hunter, J. Linklater M.P., J. N. Massey, and W. G. Park had been elected councillors as a result of the postal ballot. The secretary reported that Messrs R. E. Alexander, J. A. Johnstone, and A. M. Weir had been nominated as councillors for the South island, thus leaving a vacancy of one to be filled by the Council under Rule 18. (At the council meeting held on June 27 it was decided to appoint the Hon. A. F. Hawke M.L.C. to fill the vacancy). Quorum for Council. The president stated that the notice of motion under discussion regarding the size of a quorum for council meetings emanated from last annual meeting. Before deciding the number to constitute a quorum the president reminded members that the council consisted of representatives from all over the Dominion; consequently if too big a number was agreed upon it might be very difficult at times to get a properly constituted meeting. Personally, he thought that the “12” in the notice of motion was rather big.

Evenually, on the motion of Messrs Q. Donald and 11. B. Stuckey the notice of motion was amended to read thus: —“A quorum of the council shall consist of 9 members.” (To be added to the end of Rule 16). Affiliation Fees of Breed Societies. On the motion of Messrs M. E. Lyons and J. P. Roberts it was resolved that the following notice of motion be referred to the Council for investigation“ That Rule 8 be amended thus: ‘That the annual affiliation fee of each breed society be fixed at 1 per cent, of the annual subscription fees of that- society.’ ” During the discussion of this notice of motion the secretary read a letter from the Clydesdale Horse Society of N. Z. advising that that society had resolved that donations to the Royal Agricultural Society should be left to the pleasure of the breed society making the donation. Several speakers explained that if the notice of motion were passed in its present form it would mean a distinct loss to the society’s funds as the various breed societies were donating considerably more than one per cent, in order to put the funds of the society on a sound basis. Royal Shows in Wellington.

The secretary read the following report drawn up by a special committee appointed to inquire into the merits of the Wellington Show Association’s grounds and buildings for holding future Royal Shows: — “At the council meeting held on January 23, the following committee: Messrs W. Perry, W. D. Hunt, Q. Donald, J. M. James, W. Howard Booth, H. B. Stuckey, J. Knight, and Hon. A. F. Hawke M.L.C., was appointed to interview the Wellington Show Association regarding the feasibility of holding future Royal Shows on its grounds at John Street.

“This committee carefully inspected the Wellington Show Association’s grounds On April 12 last with a view to ascertaining if sufficient space was available for stock and for the public. It was found that sufficient space would be available in the present buildings for sheep and horses but extra accommodation would have to be procured for cattle and pigs.. The committee also considered that the space available for an oval was insufficient. The Show Association made application to the City Council for permission to use a further area of 16 acres to the south of the present grounds, so that sufficient accommodation for the public would be provided. This the City Council agreed to do at a recent meeting. “On June 25, another meeting was held with representatives of the Wellington Show Association who submitted the following general terms for the Royal Agricultural Society to consider:— “(a) The Wellington Show Association to take the show revenue. Of course the Show Association would have to face any loss through bad weather. “(b) The Royal Agricultural Society to receive a sum of say £5OOO to carry out the Royal Show. “(c) The Royal Agricultural Society to pay all expenses. “The representatives of the Wellington Show Association considered that it would take about £50,000 to level the extra ground, put up cattle and pig pavilions etc., -and would have to effect the sale of a further £50,000 worth of debentures to do so. “In conclusion, the committee recommends that provided the Royal Agricultural Society is in favour of Wellington becoming the permanent home of our Shows, further negotiations in the near future with the Wellington Show Association to endeavour to arrange workable terms, should be commenced.”

The president, moved the adoption of the report. He was aware that a great many members, and a good many A. and P. Societies were against Wellington being made the permanent home for Royal Shows, but against this many breed societies considered that this would be the solution of their difficulties. They had the example of the three big shows in Australia —one at Sydney, one at Melbourne, and one at Adelaide —which represented very large areas, and attracted the best stock in Australia. The New Zealand Royal Agricultural Society had now held five shows, but it must be admitted that they had not been representative of the stock of New Zealand. He had at first been doubtful whether it would be possible to hold the Show in Wellington, but he was now convinced that if the Royal Show decided to come to Wellington, the financial position would be assured. The position was central, which would mean that they would secure a representative exhibit of stock, and., attendance would also be assured. Mr M. E. Lyons suggested that the president should alter his motion to “receive” instead of “adopt” the report. Mr H. B. Stuckey seconded the motion to adopt the report. If they just received the report, that would be the end of it. The adoption of the report would not commit the Royal Agricultural Society in anyway. The annual conference should not have any control over the Royal Agricultural Society.

Mr Conway moved, as an amendment, that the report should be received. This was seconded by Mr M. E. Lyons. Mr R. E. Alexander said he did not know where they were. Surely it was necessary to decide whether or not they intended to adopt the committee's recommendation. Mr Lyons held that it was never intended that the committee’s report should ever have come before an annual meeting of the society. The committe had been asked to report to the Council, and the report had never come before the Council. The proper course would be to refer the report to the Council. The president said that he was desirous of obtaining the views of delegates on such an important question, and that was the reason for bringing it before the annual meeting. Mr Lyons said that the real question was, did the society intend to make the Royal Show a purely North Island Show or a National Show embracing the whole Dominion. They were not able in Auckland to get together such crowds as had assembled at such agricultural centres as Palmerston North and Invercargill, where rural interests predominated. With regard to Australia, it had to be remembereel that the railways concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne. If future Royal Shows were centralized in Wellington it would mean that South Island people would have to pay £ll annually to attend the Royal Show. It was also questionable whether it would be in the interests of the breed societies. It was,not likely that breeders would forsake a "show such as Palmerston North for a show in Wellington. If Wellington desired to have the Royal Show, let them form an A. and P. Society in the district. It would amount to dishonesty if the Royal Agricultural Society were to take the Government subsidy of £lOOO and fix the Royal Show permanently in Wellington. Mr W, D. Hunt said that the people who should be considered most in this vital question were the breed societies. He suggested that the question should be referred to the seventeen breed societies. Mr Conway said that breed societies were closely connected with the A. and P. Associations, and he thought that the majority of the breed societies would be very much opposed to centralization in Wellington.Gate takings had been stressed by those who advocated Wellington, but were gate takings the chief aim of the Royal Agricultural Society? He considered that improvement in stock was the main consideration. Reference had been made by the president to the success which had attended the Wellington Winter Show, but all knew that the Wellington Winter Show was little more than a gathering of side-shows.

Mr J. D. Hall asked what would happen if the report were received. Would that bo the end of it as far as the Council was concerned ? The president stated that the report would ultimately haVe to come before the Council, as that body had instructed the special committee to report on the matter. Thereupon Mr Conway withdrew his amendment. Mr J. Price suggested that the committee’s report be thrown out, and that the society continue to hold the Royal Show as a movable show. The president said that they did not want to do anything in a hole-and-corner way, but the question was a most important, one, and he was anxious that the delegates should air their views upon it. Many of the delegates apparently did not know the ouestion was coming up, and had received no definite instructions as to how they should vote upon it. Mr J. E. Hewitt moved that the report should be referred to the Council with a suggestion that the Wellington Show Association should be asked to submit concrete proposals for holding the Royal Show permanently in Wellington. Mr J. Price seconded this amendment, which was lost by 23 votes to 20. Mr J. Carr said that good would come out of a full and free discussion. The delegates could then go back and report the position to their associations. The president then withdrew his motion that the report should be adopted, and moved formally that it be received. This was carried, the president stating that the report would come before the Council next day. A pet hedgehog which vanished a year ago from a garden in Surrey has lately returned.

WINTER PASTURES. THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT. A FAVOURABLE APPEARANCE. A brief visit was paid to the southern district by a Times reporter during the week, and the winter pastures in the country visited were found to be in good condition. The land showed evidence of a comparatively mild winter and there still appears to be a certain amount of growth. The country about Gorge Road is at present in good condition, rough feed being abundant. The conditions for stock do not look so good in the scrub land nearer the Mataura River, but some good crops of turnips were seen on this land. The turnip crops were well stocked with cattle and these were in good winter condition. The land along the Mataura River is evidently fairly warm, for the grass showed slight growth there but there is a stretch of very poor peaty country between the river and the Titiroa stream. The peaty land is covered with a heavy growth of timber and a clearing has been made in one part of this. The result is a high pile of scrub and trees which should make a very hot fire, but the peat below will probably be too wet to burn. Some of this country has been cleared and is growing some rough feed but it is not "likely to respond to cultivation. As soon as the Titiroa stream is crossed excellent pastural and agricultural land is entered and good grass is to be seen everywhere. The farms on and around Jack’s Hill are well kept and some splendid turnip crops can be seen there. The farms in the vicinity of Fortrose evidently benefit by the mild sea air for grass is fairly plentiful there and the stock in the fields are looking very well. The farms between Fortrose and Otara are all looking well with a fair coating of grass and abundant rough feed in the gullies. The turnip crops are good and the majority of the farms near the road appear to be lightly stocked. Otara is settled with a number of progressive dairy farmers and the cheese made in the local factory is frequently praised. The appearance of the farms in the district give the reason for such praise, for the winter feed is good everywhere and the condition of the herds is excellent. A great part of the district is very little raised above sea level and mud is plentiful in

many of the gateways, but the appearance of the fields goes to show that the land is sweet and warm. Many acres of the bush, which used to clothe Mt. Florence and the surrounding country some years ago, have been removed and the bush lands there are providing excellent pasture for. the herds and flocks of the enterprising settlers. The major part‘of the land is i still thick with stumps and logs, but the : grass thrives well everywhere and the stock winters well on it. A large mob of cattle were seen on Waipapa beach and these recalled the fact that cattle are very fond of chewing the kelp which is plentiful on the beaches after a storm. Farmers along the coast have often asked whether or not there is any food value in the kelp, and some contend that the cattle-would not eat it if it did not supply some need. The probable reason for the fondness of the stock for the kelp is that the animals desire the salt which it contains. The soda and potash salts and iodine contained in the kelp may be beneficial to the cattle, but a liberal supply of salt lick in the fields would probably end the kelp eating habit. BULL IMPORTATION. AYRSHIRE BREEDERS’ ENTERPRISE. Following the decision arrived at during the annual meeting of the Ayrshire Breeders' Association at Palmerston North the Council met and passed resolutions giving practical effect to the recommendations of the annual meeting. It was resolved that twenty guarantors of £5O each be secured, the number of bulls to be purchased to be not more than four, the bulls to arrive in New Zealand in time for the next National Ayrshire Sale in 1930. It was further resolved that the association is to contribute a total sum of £lOO towards the expenses of the buyer or buyers who shall proceed to Canada to purchase the bulls, the balance of their expenses to be borne by themselves. Messrs A. M. Weir (Southland) and F. Mills (Hawera) were deputed by the council to proceed to Canada to purchase the bulls. Another matter of general interest decided was in regard to the sum of £l5 allocated as a points prize for Ayrshircs exI hibited from outside Southland at the 1929 Royal Show.

It was resolved that unless there aro three competitors there shall be no second prize, and in the event of there being two or a less number,the second prize of £5 only shall be awarded, and the first prise of £lO will be used to provide a £6 first prize and a £4 second prize for most points in the section open to all competitors. VALUE OF SILAGE. Some points to observe in making and feeding of silage are discussed by live-stock specialists of the United States Department of Agriculture in a recent bulletin. “Silage,” the authors of that bulletin* say, “is the best and cheapest form in which to store succulent feed. Many forage crops can be made into silage; but corn, where it can be grown successfully makes the best silage. “Silage is suited for feeding to all live stock. Dairy cows not on good pasture need it perhaps more than* other classes of animals, because the succulence it supplies is helpful in the production of large quantities of milk. It is a cheap and economical feed for beef cattle, from breeding cow to fattening steer. Sheep like it and it is well suited to their needs. Even horses and mules may be fed limited quantities of good silage with good results.” The authors mention a method of making silage, known as the Ronning method, has come into use in the last few years, and is considered the easiest known method of making silage. The standing corn is ha-vest-ed and cut. into proper lengths for the silo by a machine drawn and operated by a tractor. The cut corn is delivered to a wagon* box drawn alongside. It is then hauled to the silo and pushed off into a blower, which elevates it into the silo. When a pit silo is used the work of filling is still less.