FRIESIAN SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 25313, 17 June 1935, Page 3

FRIESIAN SOCIETY

SOUTHLAND BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING fn presenting the annual report of the Southland branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association, it is pleasing to record that a very keen interest has been evident in this breed during the past years, stated the president (Mr R. S. Tait) at the annual meeting. At the combined dairy herds sale held in November last by the Southland A. and P. Association, the Friesian entry was a creditable one, both in numbers and quality, and despite the difficult times satisfactory prices were obtained for well-grown animals with good butterfat backing, There was some adverse criticism on the manner adopted in the cataloguing of the entries and also on the question of whether the Friesian breeders should not take steps to organize a sale of their own. is something members would be well advised to consider at no distant date. It is gratifying to record that at the Royal Show in Invercargill the entry of Friesians was the largest in numbers that has ever been recorded in New Zealand, the quality right throughout being of a high standard. It was no light task confronting the judge, Mr James Stevenson, especially when the number of classes to be judged and the number of entries in each are considered. It would be advisable if members gave consideration to. the question of whether it would not be better to have the judging spread over two days, the single entry classes on the first day and all the groups, etc., the next day. Congratulations are extended to Messrs W. Y. Dickie and Sons for winning the Royal male championship with their bull, Melrose Champion Echo Sylvia, and also to Mr T. H. Leslie in securing the female championship with Parcoca Ethel Burkeyje. One pleasing factor is the excellent performances registered by the Southland Friesian cows on C.O.R. test this year and best wishes are extended to Messrs J. and S. Brash, R. H. Dickie and A. and R. Hay, who are so ably carrying on this good work and, incidentally, making history for Friesian cows in Southland. Although £4O and a silver cup was donated to the Friesian section at the last Royal Show, the finances of the branch are in a healthy condition. “Although they may not appear relevant to the interests of the breed and would like to express these thoughts in conclusion—Fanners and many others are asking what is going to be the ultimate result of the economic depression through which the whole world is passing. I think it behoves everyone to keep our herds and farms in as high a standard of efficiency as possible. People with no vision will say this is going to aggravate the position, but what the world is suffering from is not over-production, but under-consump-tion. If some miraculous power could be set in motion and remove the millions of people who are on the border line of semi-starvation to a reasonable living, there would be no cry so insistent as more production.” The following office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected: President, Mr R. W. Hawke, Taramoa; vice-presi-dent, Mr W. Young, Otahuti; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Urquhart; auditor, Mr R. S. Tait. ’The usual donation was voted to the Southland, Wyndham, Gore, Winton and Waiau A. & P. Associations; several members speaking of the successful Waiau fixture, which they predicted to be one of the most progressive country shows.

The secretary was instructed to carry out the usual social arrahgements at the Metropolitan Show in December, also to invite Mr J. P. Kalaugher to be present at the Gore, Wyndham and Southland shows.