SCHOOL CALF-REARING

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1929, Page 15

SCHOOL CALF-REARING

PRIZES AT DURHAM ROAD. There was a large attendance at a concert given on Friday evening by the pupils of the Durham Road school, arid a number of local people. At the conclusion prizes won by pupils in the boys’ and girls’ calf-rearing competitions were presented by Mr. A. E. Washer, chairman of committee, who was accompanied by Messrs. H. Trimble, R. G. R idling and A. T. Moore, members of the executive, and Mr. W. P. Okey, secretary. Mr. Washer offered his congratulations to the pupils and the school and district generally on the keen interest ; taken in the boys’ and girls’ club work from the inception of the movement in North Taranaki. There could be no question as to the value of the work being done among the boys and girls, and it was gratifying to those closely associated with it to know that the Government was extending increased support. He presented the following prizes for condition: — Mildred Goble, Ist group 5, ShorthornFriesian. P. Davidson, 2nd group 5, Jersey and Ayrshire. Lily Marshall, 2nd'- group 5, ShorthornFriesian. Marcia McEwan, 3rd group 5, Jersey and Ayrshire. Prizes for dairy type were:— Peter Davidson, 2nd group s,’Jersey and Ayrshire. Mildred Goble, Ist group 5, ShorthornFriesian. Mr. Trimble congratulated the boys and girls on the way they had worked in connection with the calf-rearing competitions. The calves judged last year were a great credit to the children, while the yearlings brought for inspection by the judges were very fine, indeed, he said. He believed the movement was leading to a better method of rearing calves throughout the district. Mr. Washer had referred to the fact that the Government had taken more interest in the movement than previously, but personally he looked upon this with a certain amount of misgiving. It was an advantage, of course, to receive a little more money, but on the other hand it invariably happened when the Government took up anything of this kind an effort was made to make rules for the whole Dominion. At the present time the committee had worked out a scheme to suit Taranaki, but it did not follow 1 this scheme would, be suitable for another district. Mr. Trimble intimated that he intended presenting to the school a number of photographs of the calfjudging last year. Mr. R. G. Ridling said the success achieved by the school was not due entirely to the children, but very largely to the combined interest shown by the district generally in the work. If they could get the children to rear calves as well throughout New Zealand, then . he was certain the work done by the clubs would be the most valuable vocational work in this country. The work was spreading, and he felt confident other’ districts would make just as big a success of it as Taranaki. Mr. Ridling referred to the Trimble Shield presented by Mr. Trimble, and awarded each year to the school doing, the best work in connection with the boys’ and girls’ clubs. Points were awarded for interest shown by the parents, the work of the supervisor, teacher and children, and also the number of competitors taking up and completing the work. What was required to gain the shield was the combined interest of the whole district. Credit for the children’s work in the following concert programme is due to the teacher, Mr. James:—Norwegian ' March, school; song, “Fairyland”; pianoforte solo, Miss V., Dodunski; action song, “Yule Log”; “Twinkle, Little Star,” juniods; “Danish Dance of Greeting,” ■ juniors; Happy Cooks Girls, Tinker Boys,'boys; violin solo, Peter Davidson; song, “A Rainy Day,” seniors; duet, vio- < lin and piano, Misses Flintoff; folk dance, “Reap the Flax,” seniors; song, “Lullaby,” seniors. After supper had been served by a ladies’ committee, the floor was cleared for dancing.