GORE NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 24593, 15 November 1941, Page 8

GORE NEWS

INSPECTION OF RAMS AT FAIRS

DISCUSSION BY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Whether or not the association should carry out an inspection of rams at its fairs was again discussed at a meeting of the executive of the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday when a decision was m?de that the matter be held ovei - for further investigation.

At a meeting of the association last month a letter was received from the New Zealand Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders’ Association stating that the council had decided to make the official inspectors of the breeders’ association available to all ram fairs committees, provided that the conditions of sale included a clause requiring all rams to pass an inspection before being offered for sale, with the proviso that all sheep that had been rejected, should be made ineffective for breeding purposes. The executive decided to hold the matter over for a month. When the question was raised at yesterday’s meeting Mr E. A. Cameron said that he considered it was a matter for the breeders. He was in favour of an inspection being made, but was it going to do any of the breeders an injustice? Mr G. R. Herron expressed the opinion that it would be rather dangerous to go on with the matter at the present time. Mr A. Orr said that the inspection was not to throw out good sheep. The only sheep which would be rejected would be those which had faults. Mr J. A. Edwards agreed with Mr Orr and said that the only rams which would be thrown out would be those with faults. A sheep lacking condition would not be put out because of that, but it would be put out if it was defective in some way. Mr Cameron said that he considered more information should be obtained before members could come to a decision. If a? inspection was to be made in the Romney Marsh section, then it would have to be made in all other breeds. The question was certainly worthy of consideration, but he felt that more information was required. It was agreed that the matter be held over for further investigation.

JUMPING DISPLAYS An offer made by the Eastern Southland Hunt Club to put on jumping displays during the afternoon on the second day of the show was accepted. A decision was made to purchase £2 worth of health stamps. Mr T. A. Fleming reported that the entries for the ewe hogget competition had been inspected, and although they had been small the quality had been good. Ten sheep from the flocks of Messrs J. Burnett, A. R. Byars and A. D. Dickie and Sons would be exhibited at the show for final decision. It was decided that the Gore committee of the National Savings campaign be granted free ’ space for the erection of a tent at the show for the purpose of accepting deposits for National Savings.