HAWERA JERSEY BREEDERS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1930, Page 8

HAWERA JERSEY BREEDERS

ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT HELD. Associated with Mr. C. H. Washer, president of the Hawera Jersey Cattle Club, at its annual smoke concert at Hawera on Tuesday evening were several prominent Jersey breeders who had attended during the day the annual meeting of the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association. There were also present Messrs. A. E. Missen, R. J. Linn, G. H. Bell and A. D. McLennan (members of the Jersey council) and H. G. Dickie, M.P. After the loyal toast had been honoured “The New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Association” was proposed by Mr. Dickie, who congratulated the breeders on what they had done for the prosperity of the Dominion. Recently in Western Australia he had discovered that two New Zealand dairy cows produced more than three in Australia. Western Australia was unable to provide sufficient butter and cheese for its own requirements. New Zealand bought a large amount of jarrah timber from there and he suggested reciprocity by Western Australia purchasing New Zealand cattle. It was certainly an avenue worth exploring. It was to the men who had laid the foundations of the breed and had fostered .c that New Zealand owed its prosperity and fame as a supplier to the dairy produce world’s markets.

In his opinion the slump had done a certain amount of good, said Mr. A. E. Missen, in response. There was no need to feel despondent or to take a. pessimistic view of the future, for'with increasing production the prosperity of New Zealand was assured. He considered that if farmers based their prices on Is 3d' per- lb butter-fat they- could pull through, backed up by the Jersey cow. At the present time approximately 75 per cent, of the cows in the Dominion were either Jersey or Jersey-cross, and the time was not far distant when the percentage would be greater. There was an enormous amount of land, millions of acres, yet to be taken up in the Dominion; land capable of producing many lbs of butter-fat per acre. If this were taken up production would be trebled. Even at the present time, with more scientific farming methods and the use of fertilisers for top-dressing production could be doubled. Even this year there had been a 15 per cent, increase in production. In the past 30 years there had .been an enormous increase in the number of cows in the Dominion. In 1900 there were 355,256 cows, while the statistics now disclosed that there were 1,371,063. Commensurate with the increase in cows there was a considerable increase in production. In 1900 there was an average of 1681 b butter-fat pey cow and to-day the* average had reached 2201 b per cow. There appeared to be no reason why in ten years time New Zealand should not equal the Denmark standard of 3001 b butter-fat per cow.

“I do not think the price of stock will depreciate with the price of butter-fat,” added Mr. Missen. “For a- good number of years good prices have been ruling and it is essential that New Zealand shall maintain its herds. The only way to maintain prices is to have the whole of your cows tested. Prices will slump for pedigree bulls unless you can show that their dams have butter-fat | backing. In that respect the council is going to assist by increasing the subsidy.” Mr. Missen’s remarks were supported by Mr. E. D. McLennan, who said that with the adoption of better farming methods and the careful selection of cows the country would soon attain permanent prosperity. Other toasts honoured included: The Dairy Industry (Mr. G. Ford —Mr. H. A. Lennon and Mr. G. H.. Bell); New Zealand Parliament (Mr. W. G. Simpson — Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P.); Kindred Societies (Mr. E. D. McLennan); the Press and the Chairman. During the evening songs and musical monologues were given by Messrs. W. G. Simpson, B. Malone, E. Morris, C. J. McFadyen, G. G. Trotter and violin solos by Mr. Antoni Bonetti. The accompaniste was Mr. Herbert Webb. MT. EGMONT ALPINE CLUB. WEEK-END TRIP ARRANGED. The Mount Egmont Alpine Club has arranged a week-end trip to Dawson Falls at the week-end. A number of members of the Ruapehu Ski Club and the Taranaki Alpine Club are expected to make the trip. A dance has been arranged for the Saturday. Mr. Brian Hay'bittle will be the leader for the trip at the week-end, proposals for which are a climb to Syme Hut and s'ki-ing. TAWHITI SCHOOL COMMITTEE. HEATING SYSTEM SATISFACTORY Satisfaction with the newly installed heating system at the Tawhiti school was voiced at a committee meeting on Tuesday evening, when Messrs G. Dick (chairman), Coad, Duncan, McDonald, Thrush and Barltrop were present. Appreciation was expressed to the ladies of the district for their shop day effort, for public subscriptions and to the Taranaki Education Board for its advice and services by installing the heating system during the holidays, A committee was set up to co-operate with the headmaster to institute post office savings accounts among the pupils under the stamp collection card system. The school grounds are to be improved under a scheme laid down by the committee, and the garden is also to receive attention during the coming season. OPERA HOUSE TALKIES. “IT’S A GREAT LIFE.” “It’s a Great Life,” which opened last night at the Opera House, Hawera, would be a very interesting story even if it ■were not enlivened by the antics of its London and New York musical comedy stars, the Duncan Sisters, and nearly a dozen brand-new catchy songs. There is also a great deai of comedy in the picture, and just enough pathos to make the whole thing well-flavoured. In a way, the story tells much of the personal life struggle of the Duncans in their spectacular climb up the ladder of the musical comedy fame. Larry Gray in splendid as “Jimmy.” Jed Prouty does his usual good work as “Parker” and Benny Rubin excels as “Friedman,” the booking agent. Technieolour scenes add immeasurably to the eye-filling qualities of this production. An excellent supporting programme includes Metrotone News, a fine all-talk-ing comedy, and a singing act. “It’s a Great Life” will be shown at to-day’s matinee and finally to-night. The box plan is at Mbs Blake’s shop.