FEATHERED FANCY

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 259, 5 December 1914, Page 5

FEATHERED FANCY

The annual meeting of the South Island Poultry and Canary Association was held at Dunedin on Wednesday of last week, and some fifteen delegates attended, and the meeting proved one of the most enthusiastic yet held. A report of the proceedings has already appeared in The Sun. Mr E. J. Boss, the president of the association, was unable to be present on account of a family illness. It was reported that Mr Boss desired to be relieved of the duties of president for the present term. Taking office some two years ago, when the fancy was in a disturbing mood, Mr Ross! had rather a difficult task in front of him. By fine tact, and wise counsel, Mr' Eoss surmounted all the opposition presented, and it can be safely said that he left the office with the association's position stronger than ever. w Messrs Carolin, acting chairman, and F. Rogen (Dunedin) made eulogistic references to the retiring president, and the same was confirmed by the rest of tlie delegates present. In Mr Ross every fancier had a friend. The new executive, of the South Island Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association, resulted in the election of the following: —President, Mr A. Walker (Christchurch); vice-presidents, Messrs P. Carolin (Dunedin), E. J. Ross, and G. E. Jeffreys (Christchurch), C. Matheson (Invercargill), S. R. Burns (Timar'u), and W. A. Sowhian (Picton); council, Messrs J. Tindall, A. GapeSj and H. Beardsley; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. H. Shaw; auditor, Mr V. Bedwell. Mr A. • Walker, the newly-elected president, is well known to the fancy, and has connected himself with it in many ways. In fact, I have heard it said that an association meeting would not be a meeting unless he attended, so evidently his whole interest is in the fancy, and I trust he will be favoured with a good year of prosperous work for the association. Mi*v E. «T. Ross, I am pleased to - see, has been appointed to the executive as a vice-presi-dent. Mr G. E.' Jeffreys, recently a councillor, has been appointed a vicepresident, and' his place on—the council is taken by Mr J. Tindall, and Mr Arthur Gapes, -who resigned the position of pigeon representative^ I understand that- the general laying of the birds at the competition at Papamii is up to the present in advance of previous returns, which speaks well for the general improvement of the breeds competing. The application of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club for affiliation to the South Island Association was granted. With jreather as recently, meat scraps would-not be out.of place to growing chicks. Chickens grow quicker in weather like the beginning of the week, than they do when sultry north-west weather prevails. In conversation with a prominent fancier, he informed me that he intended disposing of all his adult spare birds. With fodder at the present figure, it was impossible to kgep them^ A short time back we were told in a letter in these columns that eggs should not'be 2/6 a dozen. I would like to know how many producers can at the present time sell first-grade eggs at 1/1, at a profit, with wheat at 19/- a sack? We have again to admit that the market is controlled by the stock, not the cost of production.

(By GEIT.)

Mr J. H. Sluuv lins-a good lot of Silver Wyandotte cockerels. He thinks highly of them, though "it is a long way to go." At the animal meeting of the South Island Association, reference was made to the deaths of Messrs G. A. Macquarie and F. Lundon. I have before referred to the value of the Macquarie. Mr Lundon, who had been president of the Waimate Society, I knew for a great number of years, and on numerous occasions he exhibited many fine Barred Plymouth Rocks and Houdaus, a breed not now extensively shown.

At the last meeting of the Christchurch Poultry Pigeon and Canary Club, a suggestion was brought forward as follows: — r< (1) All fanciers in Christchurch to try and arrange a combine to see if it is possible to obtain goods at lower rates than at present being paid; (2) the idea, is for ail fanciers to state somewhere near the quantities required for the year, and then to arrange a contract with a merchant to "supply amounts required." ,{n regard to the first paragraph, I would willingly support any movement that would assist fanciers to* obtain foodstuffs at a reasonable figure. The second paragraph is Very vague; of course, there may lie other matters connected with it, that have not been submitted, but the above is as sent forward by the secretary of the club, and appears to me. to be open to discussion. Who would j have thought at the end of last threshing season that wheat would have been 19/- a sack before the* year was out? The Utility Poultry Club'have often made good deals in wheat, and some they have \ adopted appear to myself in advance of i the above suggestion.

Speaking to Mr Gteorge Butcher, the Woolston Black Orpington breeder, he tells me that he has some 40 chicks. His usual complement is about 25. Mr Butcher has always believed in keeping a few aud giving them every attention.

The Utility Poultry Club made applications for sex certificates as champion awards for utility breeds. It was pointed out that,, according to the association's rules, all champion awards had to be of the one value, namely, £3 3/- each. It was decided to ,pffer a championship for Utility White Leghorns, namely, the best bird in the cock, cockerel, hen, or pullet classes all compete. There is sure to be large eutries Christehurch Club was successful in drawing the championship for their fixture in June next.

All the South Island championships have not yet been allotted; several have to be arranged by the council. "When the list is complete, also the various show dates, I will at .a later period publish in these columns.

Mr W. tT. S. Tatterfield, the Dunedin pigeon fancier, ha 6 imported two Blue Turbit cocks. In his original importation she two blues received turned out hops, and the pair mentioned above are to pair with .these. s «

Several of the new Dragoon fanciers in Christchurch.'have had up to the present pretty consistent luck,, and should be among the winners during the next season.

The South Island Association at their annual meeting allotted two new. championships to the pigeon one for the best Long-faced Tumbler, other than self, and one for the best Pouter, Cropper, Fantail, or Jacobin. Personally, I do not believe in grouping varieties for championships, but there are times when the funds will not permit otherwise, and so it is as well to be thankful for small mercies. The former championship has not yet been allotted, but the latter will be competed for at the Waimate fixture, June 25 and 26 next.