BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS

Southland Times, Issue 21834, 11 October 1932, Page 3

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS

THE SOUTHLAND ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE.

At an executive meeting of the Southland Boys’ and Giris’ Agricultural Clubs’ Association Mr D. Marshall presided over an attendance of Messrs J. Milne, O. O. Mackley, J. A. McPherson, J. H. Reed, A. L. Adamson and L. Evans. There were also present: Dr A. F. Ritchie Crawford (representing the Jersey Breeders’ Club), Mr John Bateman (representing the Milking Shorthorn breeders) and Mr R. S. Tait ■ (representing the Friesian Association). The classification of the entries in the calf-rearing competition was considered, and a motion moved by Mr Adamson that in view of the paucity of Shorthorn entries these be judged this year with the Friesians, was carried. The meeting considered a letter forwarded by Mr J. H. Dunn, of Edendale, in which he stated that the headmaster and the school committee were taking in calf club matters this year and intended to give some trophies to foster interest. They had been offered two trophies, one for large and small breeds respectively with also second prizes. The competition would be decided as follows: Dairy type 25 points, condition 20 points, show ring performance, leading, standing, etc., 10 points, skin showing care in covering and brushing 10 points, rough note book 5 points, total 70 points. A chart would require to be filled in for the club competition, but not to be counted in the competition. The whole idea was to work in with the club and foster interest. The committee would require the club judges and also extra time if possible for this second competition. It was decided to make a special day of it and to this end asked for the executive’s assistance. If it were possible to arrange that the Edendale School could be judged last in the afternoon the parents and others would be able to be present. The full benefit of all this would be felt in the increased interest the following year.

The secretary (Mr J. E. Davies) read his reply to Mr Dunn’s letter in which he said he noticed the keen interest that was being taken in the Edendale district regarding calf club activities. He had carefully perused the suggested scheme of forming a separate local competition apart from that at present operating under the auspices of the Agricultural Clubs’ Association, and, while in no way did he wish to interfere with local schemes that might be organized in the benefit and interests of the youthful agriculturists, he wished to state clearly that it would be quite impossible for the association to cooperate with any-schemes which were not in keeping with its aims. The Agricultural Clubs’ Association was strongly represented by agricultural and allied organizations, and the present Calf-Rearing Club project was intended to prove a feasible means of educationally inculcating the principles of calf-rearing and management. The main aim of the executive was to ensure that the competition was so arranged that merit was given for the activities of the competitors. Mr Dunn’s suggested scheme seemed to Mr Davies to depart from this principle, and it seemed that there were inferences in the district in that the association’s system of judging and control was not what might be desired. Mr Davies suggested that there was ample opportunity for special local awards to be given under the present scheme, e.g., highest points in condition and dairy type in each of the respective classes, or a special class on dairy type only. It was fully intended that a special day be made for the calf judging parades and when the itineraries were received a special feature of the calf parade was expected. No club parade could be successful without the* cooperation of the adult section of the community. Mr M. D. Turner was present to explain the position on behalf of the Edendale supporters of the association. He said it was felt in the district that the competition should be more widely supported and the proposal was put forward as a means of securing greater support. He said that the reference to a proposed scale of points in the latter was misleading. What was really re-

quired was that the club judges should adjudicate in the competition for the trophies presented locally. It would not interfere with the club competition at all. . ■ . It was decided to assist Edendale in its local competition. The meeting considered the allocation of points in the calf-rearing competition, the representatives of tha breed societies having been invited to express the views of their organizations. The secretary reported that last season 45 points had been awarded for condition, 25 points for dairy type and 30 points for records. Mr Evans said he thought that the points for nourishment, etc., at 45 were too high and the 25 points for dairy type were too low. There was such a thing as an animal having too much condition or, rather, too much fat. He was not, however, in favour of making these points equal. The club’s object was to encourage efficient and enthusiastic husbandry, therefore substantial points should be given for nourishment . Mr Bateman said he agreed with Mr Evans’s remarks. . Mr Tait said he considered dairy type essential- Five points should be taken off records, condition should be given 35 points, 10 points should be awarded for skin and handling and five points for leading and ringside appearance. Judges should be instructed not to give too much weight to excessive condition. Dr. Ritchie Crawford said he was in agreement with Mr Tait so far as the points were concerned. Mr Davies said that the idea of the movement was to teach boys and girls to rear calves. The highest points, therefore, were those attainable by the competitors themselves. On the motion of Mr Bateman it was decided to leave the points as they stood and to define “condition in the schedules. Several members criticized the action of the Department of Agriculture in no longer granting free seeds. It was stated that, since the seeds could be obtained from the Government experimental farms, it was not an economy but merely a book entry. Teh chairman said that the Government subsidy, amounting last year to £24, had been withdrawn and now free seeds were being refused also. It was handicapping the association too heavily. . , „ It was decided to wait on the Hon. Adam Hamilton and request a continuance of the supply of free seeds.