BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1930, Page 15

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

POULTRY CLUB DINNER. FUNCTION AT WINTER SHOW. The truth of the adage “birds of a feather flock together” was demonstrated last night, when the New Plymouth Poultry Club held its annual dinner at the Winter Show. Judging of the exhibits had been concluded, and the assembled fanciers had ample food for conversation in the results of the day’s work. The remarks of the judges in the different sections were especially interesting, and did not fail to receive an attentive hearing. A large number of poultry enthusiasts and friends of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association sat down to a dinner provided by the ladies’ committee at the show. Among those present were the Hon. S. G. Smith, and Mr. H. C. Sampson, president of the Agricultural Society. Mr. H. J. Hall, chairman of . the Poultry Club, presided, and a short toast list was honoured.

After the Royal toast the chairman called on the Hon. S. G. Smith, at the same time congratulating him on his elevation to Cabinet rank.

Before proposing the Taranaki Agricultural Society, Mr. Smith thanked the chairman for the references to the honour recently bestowed on him. Referring to the society, he said it was a great factor in the life of the' community, and he was pleased to be present at the 21st birthday celebrations. It must be gratifying, he continued, to Mr. Sampson, the president, to have with him a band of workers which was doing so much for the town and district, and to have Mr. W. Ambur.y with him at the opening function. The poultry elub and the society were working hand in hand for a common cause. At last year’s function he had had .hopese of being able to secure the removal of the tax on the importation of wheat, but when the measure had come up in the House the motion, for which he voted, had been lost. He concluded by - mentioning the good work being done by the ladies’ committee. . Responding, Mr. Sampson dwelt on the very fine show of poultry, and said the club was making progress ’on the right lines. There had been much work entailed in preparing for the show. On this occasion the lay-out had been changed and was a great improvement, the poultry section no longer being intermingled with the surrounding exhibitions.

Referring to Mr. Smith’s statement, he said he had been somewhat surprised that the tax reduction on poultry feed' had not eventuated, but he trusted that the Minister would now exert his influence in that direction. Mr. Smith replied that he could not make any promises. The toast of the judges was proposed by Mr. J. K. Hawkins, who thanked them for the work performed. Although he had judged when exhibits had been more numerous, said Mr. W. Hall, judge in the fancy classes, in response, there had never been any higher quality. It was the first time he had worn the judge’s ribbon, said Mr. A. P. Lister, judge of utility poultry. The classes, taken all through, were strong, and there were some exceptionally fine birds. Mr. A. H. Guthrie, Wellington, the pigeon judge, congratulated, the club on the excellent exhibition. Entries were not as numerous as when he had judged at New Plymouth five years previously, though the quality was very good. The African Owls, he continued, were outstanding. The standard in the canary section was fairly high, said. Mr. W. J. Upton, Wanganui, and there were one or two outstanding Norwiches and a very fine Yorkshire.

Other toasts honoured wore: Visiting fanciers (the chairman —Mr. E. M. Galvin, Hawera, and Mr. F. T. Hale, Stratford); the Ladies (Mr. W. Jones —.Mr. IL C. Sampson); the Press.