JERSEY OAKS SCHEME

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1935, Page 8

JERSEY OAKS SCHEME

SUPPORT FROM KAPONGA CLUB, OFFICERS ELECTED FOR YEAR. A review of a successful year was presented to the annual meeting of the Kaponga Jersey Cattle Club on Wednesday evening, when Mr. S. J. Hollaid presided over a good attendance. Mr. Hollaid ' pointed out that there was a credit balance of £l2 despite another season of depressed values. Receipts totalled £52 10s 9d and expenditure £4O 3s Id, against £32 5s 3d and £l7 14s Hd respectively for the preceding year. This proved that the club had extended its activities.

The annual bull fair was held on October 8, Newton King, Ltd., being the auctioneers. Members were to be congratulated on the condition of the cattle, indicating that the utmost care and attention had been given by breeders. Owing to adverse weather the annual field day was not as successful as expected. However, the general show was comparable with those of previous years and the addition of displays had added to the attraction of the show. This would in future become a feature of the gathering. Mr. Guy Bell, in opening the show, complimented the club on the fine showing of stock, and said it was to be congratulated on initiating such an event. There was cause for confidence in the future of the club, and the valuable work of members would have its reward in the higher standard 'of production that .the Jersey club had always .aimed at by fostering all the ideals conforming with quality breeding. Although the balance-sheet for the field day showed a deficiency that could be attributed to an increase of £ll in prize money. The club also spent £lO on seating accommodation, a necessity that would be an asset in the future.

The committee expressed th aides to those who made donations to the club, especially to Mr. Lissaman for presenting a cup for the points prize in the horse section. Mr. Holland spoke of the enjoyable and instructive nature of the club’s activities and said the club was always his first consideration. FUTURITY STAKES PROPOSAL. Hie chairman reported on a conference of delegates of Taranaki Jersey clubs at Stratford regarding a proposal to institute a 500 guineas futurity stakes for Taranaki. The suggestion was that the five Taranaki clubs should combine to hold an. oaks similar to that of the Manawatu club. It would be necessary to guarantee £250 and to obtain £250 subsidy from the parent body. It was decided that the Hawera, New Plymouth and Stratford clubs should raise £75 each and Inglewood and Kaponga £l2 10s each. It was suggested that the guaranteed amount be lodged in a trust account at interest, the lenders to receive back their money and interest at the end of the period. The age of the animals will be fixed'from July 1 to December 31, 1934, nominations to close on April 30, 1936. The competition will be open to all registered Jerseys, it was decided, and the heifers are to be exhibited at an autumn, show in 1938 and judged on Jersey type by the New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Association. The maximum points for type will be 50, with one point for every 141 b. of butterfat up to 3501 b., and one point for every 61b. between 3501 b. and 5001 b. of butterfat. The first prize will be £2OO, with a list of ten prizewinners. It was considered that the proposed stakes should be completed at an autumn show. The scheme was a very fine one, it was stated, the only difficulty being finance.

Speaking in support of the proposal, Mr. S. G. Morgan stressed the value of test records io back the production of butterfat. He considered it advisable to assist financially. He thought there would be at least 100 entries at the start Manawatu had 170, including entries from all parts of New Zealand. He said it would be necessary to have an organising secretary. Mr. A. Betts considered the show allotted the event should do the secretarial work free of charge. Mj’. Morgan said it would not be necessary to have a special officer for Taranaki, but it would be necessary to secure the services of a man to interest outside competitors. After a discussion the president and Mr. Morgan were appointed to attend a further conference of delegates to consider the proposal. The delegates were empowered to guarantee the amount of £l2 10s.

The president briefly touched on the value of herd testing, and urged members to get into testing in readiness for the oaks. He pointed out that testing records were of the greatest value in the sale of bulls and young stock. NEED FOR TESTING. Mr. J. Dawson added that testing had slipped in the Kaponga district in recent years. He urged the club to -keep the need for testing to the fore. A considerable subsidy was available, and this would go a long way towards the cost The president said that in the past the club had guaranteed unconditionally bulls sold at its fair, but the question was how far this guarantee was to stand at future sales. The date of the next bull fair was fixed for October’ 7. Mr. Morgan referred to the position that arose when an animal was injured subsequent to purchase. This gave the buyer an opportunity to “put it over” the vendor. He was fully in accord with guaranteeing the fertility of a bull. This could easily be proved by a test, and he would be quite prepared to replace any bull not passing the test. Finally it was left to the agents to have a suitable clause covering the guarantee inserted in the catalogue. It was resolved that bulls should be subject to a preliminary inspection before being catalogued, to ensure that only animals in suitable condition were entered for sale. There would also be a final inspection on the day of the sale. Mr. Betts said this had been carried out at Stratford with success, and it would really help breeders. Mr. Malone mentioned that the Awa-tuna-Te Kiri, Opunake and Auro a show committees had invited the club to come in at the final combined show to determine the champions. The matter was left to the committee to deal with. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. S. J. Hollard; vice-president, Mr. C. P. Crowley; secretary, Mr. A. B. Keightley; committee, Messrs. S. G. Morgan, D. P. Malone, C. W. Wood, C. W. N. Rowe, A. Betts, J. H. Phillips, R. Dempsey and W. Douds; auditor, Mr. J. Hessell. The secretary was voted an honorarium of £5 ss. * It was proposed by Mr. Morgan that bulls from tested dams, under marked calf conditions, should have preference in the catalogue. The chairman said he Was in sympathy with the proposal, but he thought it would be advisable to give a year’s notice before introducing it. The motion was carried.

The points cup presented by Mr. S. Lissaman for the horse classes was presented to Mr. A. Alexander.