REARING CALVES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 59, Issue 4220, 6 December 1939, Page 6

REARING CALVES

INTEREST AT PUAHUE. CALF CLUB COMPETITION. Puahue district is not behindhand in any progressive movement as was evident on Tuesday, when the annual Calf Club judging took place, at the school grounds. The children of the school were accorded a half-holi-day, and quite a number of parents assembled to watch the exhibits being paraded by their keen young owners and to comment on the efforts of the Calf Club judges to choose the animals most deserving of distinction. Ten grade calves of good quality were pagaded, and the casual observer would probably conclude, after a cursory examination, that there was not much between the best and the worst. And the experienced judges were quite in accord, for all ten calves were of good standard. The judges were Messrs Hamilton Allen (Kihikihi) and A. V. Lancaster (Korakonui), assisted by Mr G. B. Melrose, secretary of the Te Awamutu Calf Club.

The first competition was for besthandled calf, and the winning exhibit was one owned and reared by Peter Atherton, who, when leaving to reside in Australia a week or so ago, was so keen on calf-rearing work, that he handed over his entry to Jim Green to parade on his behalf. The job was so well done that Jim had the proud distinction of securing the red ribbon. Second place was gained by Sylvia Garrett, with Sue Skerman third, and Ruby Moana and Betty Garrett equal fourth. Ten competed. In the unrestricted class for best calf, Sylvia Garrett gained the honours with a very good calf, Jim Green (for Peter Atherton) was second, and Ivy Green third. The best Maori-owned calf was that of Norman Paki, with Ruby Moana’s entry second. Mr Melrose had to act as judge of broods of chickens, and he gave first honours to Joyce Warburton, Brian Green being second and John Going third. Ivy Green also gained first for a covey of ducklings. The judges were congratulated upon their successes. Mr Melrose urged the children to continue their efforts, and to try for the schools’ team of three calves at the A.. and P. Show next February, pointing out that the best calf in the whole district may not be at Puahue, but there was a possibility that the best trio would be exhibited from Puahue. There was also the Allen Cup fdr competition among! Maori scholars. The trophy, at present held at Parawera, was a schools’ affair, not for the individual, and he would suggest that though Parawera School numerically has an advantage, it could be beaten for the trophy. He wanted to see keen competition. He concluded with congratulations to the teacher, Miss Williams, for her splendid organisation and enthusiasm. At the close of the demonstration, the visitors were the guests of the Puahue ladies at a very tasty afternoon tea.