RECORDS OF FRIESIANS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1929, Page 10

RECORDS OF FRIESIANS

TARANAKI BRANCH MEETING.

REVIEW OF PAST ACTIVITIES.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Friesian Breeders’ Association was held at Stratford on Saturday, the president, Mr. C. A. Marchant (Cardiff), presiding over a fair attendance. Owing to the death of the branch s secretary during the year no formal report or balance-sheet was presented, but the chairman explained that the branch stood in credit to the extent of £33 15s 3d, against which he understood there were a few minor commitments. The sum of £lO was voted the widow of the late Mr. A. J. Barr as honorarium for the portion of last year during which he held the office of secretary. Mr. W. F. Ross, the newly appointed secretary to the Stratford A. and P. Association, was appointed secretary to the branch.

THE CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. In reviewing the activities of the association, the chairman said the year had been one marked by a certain financial stringency. Nevertheless, they had been able to maintain a great deal of interest in the breed and had kept its claims well to the fore. Mr. Marchant went oi. to mention the work of the association covering a period of several years. “It is satisfactory to note, he said, “that the branch has been instrumental in promulgating several matters that tended towards the good of the breed and has taken a primary place in establishing certain matters calculated to extend an influence for good in the dairy industry generally.” The actions of the branch had promoted much interest and had stimulated a great deal of thought in the scientific side of the industry. Members could feel that their association had been more than justified in thatj-espect. The Friesian Association now claimed four cows that had produced os er WOO lbs of fat in a single lactation period. This was one better than any other breed, and had to be regarded as highly satisfactory in view of the compaiatively few numbers of Friesian compared with some other breeds. “It is not our policy to criticise other breeds, but we do not give pride of place to any other cattle.” he said. Dealing with the findings of the 1 okaora experiments, Mr. Marchant expi eased satisfaction at the general approval accorded the work of the- scientist (Mr. P O. Veale) throughout the industry. The fact that so much standardised cheese was ' manufactured last year indicated that the findings had proved acceptable. Further than that, it was significant that the price realised for standardised cheese on the Home niarket showed a satisfactory position, beino- but slightly lower, on the average, than that of full-cream cheese. At one time standardised cheese actually commanded a higher price than the usual article. It was a wise step for the Taranaki Federation of Dairy Factories to have had the £. S. D aspect of the marketing of standardised cheese thoroughly investigated. . Mr. Marchant said the time was rapidly approaching when low-testing milk would come into its own and the fact that dairymen were seeking male Friesian stock to cross with their milkin" herds was another conclusion to which they could point the finger of suecess. The chairman was sorry the attendance was not larger that day, but he hoped when a permanent secretary was appointed greater activity would e shown. He thought the interests of the breed were being kept well to the forefront, and although they had not been able to have a live stock exhibit at Hawera during the past two years, it was hoped to reinstate this fine chance of demonstration. Mr. H. E. Johnson, a member ot the Friesian Breeders’ Council, gave an interesting resume of the business at tne recent annual meeting in Auckland.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were ejected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. C. A. Marchant; executive, Messrs. H. E- Johnson; A. J. Smart, H. J. Marchant, W. K. Morris, Harry Johnson and W. C. Clement (subject to his consent); secretary, Mr. W. F. Ross. . L , A letter of appreciation is to be sent to Mr. C. W. Baldwin thanking him for his past services as a member of the executive. „ Congratulations were accorded Mr. 1. Sheriff South Canterbury, and to the breeder, Mr. A. S. Elworthy, of the same district, upon the fact that a senior two-year-old Friesian heifer owned by the former and bred by the latter had attained the remarkable production of SlOlbs fat. This record, explained the chairman, was a championship for the breed and, in fact, for all breeds since As a matter of policy it was agreed to make the venue of the annual meeting moveable, next year s meeting to e held at New Plymouth. Votes of thanks were accorded the chairman and Mr. T. H. Richards for their interest in sending their employees with the Royal Show team to the last show. The Stratford A and P. Association was also thanked or use of its board room, and appreciative reference was made to the assistance of the Press. euchre at lowgarth. Mangatoki Lowgarth to play euchre at Mangatoki on July 5. Twentv tables were engaged and Mangatoki won with 167 games to Lowgarth s IGO Mr A. Hammond won the men s prize, Mrs. Cooper the ladies’. Miss A Sulzberger the ladies’ consolation and Mr. Davies the men’s consolation. A very enjoyable dance followed. . The return match was played on Vriday niriit, when eighty players sat down to the tables. The final results were: Lowgarth 203 games, Mangatoki 196 games. Seven games was the ditierence in both matches. Mr. P. Horgan won the men’s prize, Mrs. A. Bootten the ladies’, Mrs. G. Schneller the ladies consolation and Mr. J. Marx the men’s consolation. Dancing was kept up till 1 a.m. Miss Guy, Matapu, supplied the music on both occasions.