“SCRUB” SIRES AND SALES

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 12

“SCRUB” SIRES AND SALES

IMPROVING FLOCKS AND HERDS,

CANTERBURY A. AND P. PROPOSAL.

Steps that would improve flocks and herds of the Dominion have been occupying the attention of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association fdr some time and were the subject of a letter received by the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s general committee at Hawera on Saturday. The letter acknowledged the great improvement made as a result of the work of the breed societies and agricultural and pastoral association. “The Cantterbury association believes that the elimination of scrub sires from sales would be a big step towards the advancement of sheep, cattle, horses and pigs in the Dominion,” stated the letter, which asked that the Egmont association should consider whether it would not be wise to seek legislation prohibitum the sale of animals which were inimeal to the welfare of the live stock of tho country. The Canterbury association recognised that a step such as the one contemplated would have to secure a good deal of unanimity before it could be enacted by legislation. Public opinion would have to be secured in its support before any success could be achieved. “It is not in the mind of this association that there should be any attempt to set up an aristocracy of breeders,” stated the Canterbury secretary, “1101 that any fanner should be prevented from using animals which he may breed himself and which are suited to his tvpe of country. It is in regard to the sales of males that there is scope for measures calculated to make for improvement. “Criticism of such a scheme may be that it would mean increasing our already large number of inspectors,” continue.l the letter. “That is not the wish of the Canterbury association, which believes that by means of local committees a scheme could be worked cheaply but nevertliless effectively.” It was pointed out that several European countries had schemes of the same kind in operation and Ireland had worked an extraordinary improvement in the quality of cattle in recent years by the same means. "The chairman of the Egmont association, Mr. C. H. Washer, remarked that the subject was rather a large one. The letter was received , without other comment. EGMONT A. AND P. SPRING SHOW. COMMITTEE DISCUSSES CLASSES. Several matters relative to the conduct of the spring show of the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association came up for discussion at the general committee meeting at Hawera on Saturday. Mr. C. 11. Washer presided. The Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association notified the committee that it had decided at its annual meeting to subsidise the Friesian classes at the spring show to the exlent of £3 3s for the main classes, and recommended that this amount be devoted to tho cow and bull championship classes. A. guinea was :-«so donated towards the calf club classes. The letter contained reference to the appointment of the Friesian judge. It was possible to obtain Mr. E. M. North from the South Island and it -was thought Mr. North could judge at Hawera and afterwards at Stratford, each association to share the expenses.. Failing Mr. North, the Friesian branch preferred Mr. J. Ward, Manuwaru. The secretary, Mr. M. C. Crighton, stated the Stratford association had declined to assist in the manner indicated and the matter was referred to the chairman and secretary. It was decided that entries in the Boys’ and Girls’ Calf Club and grade classes 'should be shown in natural condition.

Mr. B, C. Gibson suggested an extensive canvass should be made for entries in the fat lamb export class.

Prize money in that class amounted to £2O and, as it had been decided to judge the exhibit on the second day o£ the show,, it was thought that more entries would be received. The. reason for the decision regarding the judging was that the lambs would not have to remain in the pens for two days. They would be delivered to the grounds in the morning, judged aud exhibited to the public during the day, and despatched to the works that evening. Thus the chances of wastage, through starving would be reduced to a minimum. , On the suggestion of Mr. T. J. Hurley it was decided to judge the harness pony classes on the first day. The ring committee was recommended to stage some extra ring event during the luncheon adjournment on both days. ' The following now members were elected: Messrs. H. V. Ward, John Joyce (Hawera) and F. Parsons (Whenuakura), WHAKAMARA NOTES. EUCHRE PARTIES. There was a large attendance at the Whakamara hall for the final of the five-nightly series of euchre parties on Friday night. The season’s aggregate prizes were won by Mrs. A. G. Wrigley (96| points )!., Miss J. Davies (87J points) 2; Mr. I. V. Buchanan (9-9 J points) 1, Mr. T. Webster (92 points) _ 2. The five-nightly series wap won by Miss Ada Skevington (33 pointe) 1, Miss T Skevington (31 points) 2; Mr. J. Potter (35 points) 1, Mr. J. Beighton (341 points) 2. Prizes for tho evening were won by Mrs, J. Potter (84 points) 1, Mrs. J. Dobson (8 points) 2; Miss Peggy Barkla (3 points) consolation. There was keen competition for the men’s prizes, no less than four players being level for first place with eight games each. In the playoff between Messrs. N. Barkla, Leyden, Webster and Jenkins Mr. Barkla secured first place and Mr. G. Leyden second. Music for tho dancing was played by Mesdames Gulliver, Langley and Buchanan and Mr. Candy. The evening's prizes were donated by Mr. A. Harvey.