FARM COMPETITIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1925, Page 12

FARM COMPETITIONS

THE SUTTON OUP. WON BY OAKURA SETTLER. To congratulate one of their most progressive members on having won the Sutton Cup on the first occasion on whfoh it was presented for competition, the members of the Gakura-Tatarai-maka-Koru branch of the Farmers’ Union held a very successful concert last night, when the cup was presented to Mr. G. H. Bell, the. well-known Jersey breeder, the winner. During an interval in the programme, Mr, C. J. Harris (chairman of the branch), who presided, introduced Mr. R. S. Hicks (chairman of the North Taranaki Farmers’ Union), who expressed his thanks to Messrs Sutton and the Taranaki Agencies, through whom the cup had been presented, for such a handsome, trophy. Competitions such as these had a great educational value, because by them farmers were induced to show how it was possible to keep two cows where now only one could be kept. He pointed out that Mr. Bell had grown 70 tons of mangolds to the acre. This meant that one acre of mangolds, with a little rough feed, would carry a herd of 50 cows over the worst part of the winter; in fact, one acre grown well was more valuable than ten acres grown slovenly. He remarked that Messrs Sutton’s had stipulated that the cup must be known as the Sutton Cup, and had to be won three times, not necessarily in succession, and any seed could be used in the competition. In handing Mr. Bell the champion cup, and the first and second prize money for the group, he congratulated him on his success.

Mr. Bell, who was enthusiastically received, expressed his pleasure at having his name inscribed on the cup first. He was pleased that Oakura had won the cup, and he hoped next year the competition would be keener, as the more names there -were on the cup the more valuable it would be to the ultimate winner. He hoped the Farmers’ Union would encourage both root-grow-ing and herd-testing competitions. Mr. McAlpine (organiser of the Farmers’ Union, congratulated the district on the social aspect of the function, remarking that the social side of farm life required encouraging. He recognised that the Farmers’ Union could not hold its members unless they could interest the ladies. He congratulated Taranaki on being the first province in New Zealand to carry out competitions successfully. An excellent musical programme was rendered, every item being much appreciated, the audience recalling each performer for an encore. Songs were contributed by Mrs. 0. J. Harris, Mrs. Martin, Miss Susie Mills, Miss Campbel’, Messrs W. L. Hay, C. M. Trolley; recitations by Mrs. T. E. Larking (Puniho); comic songs by Mr. J. Lovell (Westown); and humorous items by Mr. W. G. Holder. The accompaniments were played by MisseS E. Smart. S. Mills, Mrs. .0. J. Harris and Sir. W. L. Hay. At the conclusion, Mr. C. J. Harris thanked the performers for the excellent programme rendered. After supper the hall was cleared and dancing was indulged in for two or three hours. Messrs P. Telford and V. Evans acted as M.C.’s, and the music was provided by Messrs Bree (piano) and 11. McNeill (violin).