FIVE EGG-LAYING RECORDS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1931, Page 10

FIVE EGG-LAYING RECORDS

RESULTS OF NORMANBY TESTS.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY.

“Another record was established at the 1930-31 test,” stated the committee’s report to the annual meeting of the Taranaki Egg-Laying Competition Society last night. “The Light Sussex pullet owned by Mr. A. G. Davey laid 264 eggs in 52 weeks, beating the previous New Zealand record by one. The society now holds five records. ’ The report continued that the sum of £9 8s had been donated to the society last year, but honorary members’ tickets had dropped considerably. Several birds had been rejected at the start of the test as they did not conform to the rules, being far too young and under weight. The food had cost £63 7 s and the egg sales had brought in £Bl 0s Id. The prices received for eggs had varied from Is 2d to 3s 3d.

A movement had been put on foot to supply a universal copper ring or certificate to birds laying 200 standard weight eggs, but not reaching the certificate standard. As other societies had not taken the matter up it was suggested that it should be adopted for the next Normanby test. The total number of eggs laid was 14,039, including 224 by birds that had died. The averages of 67 birds had ben 207 per bird, 40 per day, and 286 per week. Fifty-six pullets had laid 11,583 eggs, at averages of 206 per bird, 33 per day and 231 per week. Twelve ducks laid 2456 eggs, at averages of 204 per bird, 7. per day and 49 per week. Eight light breed three-bird teams laid 4375 eggs at averages of 547 per team, 12J per day and 87>} per week. Five heavy breed three-bird teams laid 2628 eggs at averages of 525 per team, 7J per day and 52J per week.. Thirtyeight light breed pullets laid 8069 eggs at averages of 2121 per bird, 22J per day and 160 per week. Nineteen heavy bird pullets laid 3419 eggs at averages .of 180 per bird, 10 per day and 68i per week. The totals and averages laid by each breed were:—

There was no doubt, the report stated, that the competitions in Taranaki were proving a great help to breeders and the public. The improvement in the birds in the present test compared with those in the first test was very marked, and had been commented on by the Government instructor. 1 Thanks were extended to the donors of special prizes and trophies, the manager and his wife and the Press. It was decided that Mr. Davey be awarded an honours ribbon for the record created by his Light Sussex hen in the last competition. Appreciation of the work of Mrs. and Miss Stewart was expressed, and they were voted an honorarium of £5 ss. The secretary was also voted £5 55., but of this he redonated £3 3s. for a trophy for next season.

Votes of thanks to Miss D. Swaddling and Messrs.'G. T. Gibbons, A. J. Davey and J. B. Wilson for donations were passed. ’ . • c Officers elected were:—Patron, Mr. A. Kirkwood! vice-patrons, Messrs. F. W. Waddell, C. Goodson, W. T. Jones and L. Gane; president, Mr. C. H. Barker; vice-presidents, four were elected; secretary and treasurer, Mr. G. L. Gaylard; auditor, Mr.. G. H. Kent; management committee, Mr. D. Swaddling, Messrs. W. Cannon, C. Gibbons, jun., A. J. Cad- ; man) E. Warren, C. Murray, A. R. Watson and G. Kent, PERSONAL. Mr. R, L. Carter is relieving at the Waverley school in Miss Baker’s place until the arrival of the new teacher. A tribute to the manner in which Mr. D. O. Hooker, secretary of the south committee of the Egmont National Park Board, presented the accounts of the. year, was paid by the chairman, Mr. W. G. Walkley, at the annual meeting yesterday. “I should like to congratulate our energetic secretary on the way in which he has attended to the business of the committee during the year,” said the chairman in his report. Messrs. W. G. Walkley and G. J. Bayley have been again appointed the representatives of the south committee on the Egmont National Park Board. Mr. W. G. Walkley was re-elected chairman of the south committee of the Egmont National Park Board at the annual meeting yesterday. In moving that Mr. Walkley be re-elected Mr. G. J. Bayley paid a tribute to his work in connection with matters of mountain interest over the past year. GENERAL ITEMS. At the first of the Hawera Bowling Club’s winter tournaments, V. L. Warner won the first prize and E. Foden -the consolation prize. Warner also won a prize for the greatest number of points in any one round.

There was a record attendance of 25 at the Hawera Scouts’ parade on Monday under the acting-scoutmaster, Commissioner F. W. Horner. An address was given by the Rev. J. R. Young on his recent visit to Franz Josef Glacier, in the Southern Alps, and his climb up Sealy Pass, the talk being illustrated by maps and photographs. The programme included a demonstration of physical and other training by the boys.

Ample justification for the building of Syme Hut was contained in the report of the chairman, Mr. W. G. Walkley, presented to the annual meetincr of the South Committee of the Egmont National Park Board yesterday. “During Easter, 1930, the Syme Hut was officially opened, and since then has proved very popular amongst climbers,” stated the report. “On the opening day over 300 people made the trip to°the hut, and the number of visitors to Dawson Falls constituted a record for one day. The toll fees collected on that day were £l7 for cars and £29 8s for people. This represents 136 cars and 598 people.”

The thanks of the South Committee of the Egmont National Park Board was extended to the Mt. Egmont Alpine Club for its assistance during the year by the chairman, Mr. W. G. Walkley, at the annual meeting yesterday.

Breed. No. Total Av. Khaki Campbell .... 2 433 216 White Leghorn .... 37 7865 '212 White Wyandotte .. 3 633 211 Sussex 2 423 211 Fawn Indian Runner 8 1679 209 Ancona 1 204 204 White Rock 1 203 203 White Runners .... o 344 172 Black Orpington .... 10 1691 169 Rhode Island Red .. 3 469 156