TEMUKA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20512, 2 September 1936, Page 4

TEMUKA

HERD TESTING ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION An explanation of the new scheme of control of herd testing in the Dominion was given by the chairman (Mr S. R. Muff) at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Herd Testing Association yesterday. Mr Muff said that the national control of testing had passed from the Herd Testing Federation to a new Recording Council. The headquarters were in Wellington and the Dairy Board was in charge. Mr T. E. Brash was a principal in the new system of control. Mr C. M. Hume was still the supervisor and Mr W. M. Singleton, of thj Dairy Division, and Professor Riddett, of Massey College, had been co-opted. At the annual conference efforts had been made by Mr J. Parlane to have herd testing made compulsory, and another effort was for a levy that would encourage herd testing. He then gave a report of the principal points arising at the conference. The matter of introducing a system of marking black-eared calves so that the mark would be distinguished after a few years was raised by Mr A. Johnson and a scheme was adopted. Mr W. Seward raised the question of having the Association take up with agricultural and pastoral associations the idea of making it necessary for beasts entered in the dairy classes at shows to be backed with a moderately good butterfat record. Under present conditions it was possible for a cow to take a prize at a show and not produce suflifficient butterfat “to butter a loaf of bread.” If some limit was not placed on entries the show classes would not lead anywhere. The chairman remarked that all purebred stock exhibited was already well supported with a butterfat record before owners put them in the show. The average show beast was generally of a high standard nowadays, said Mr P. M. Downes. Breeding assured good testing and there was no use in testing unless one went in for breeding, the two going hand-in-hand. A decision along the lines of Mr Seward’s remarks was made. The problem of insuring that cull cows were sent to the works and not placed in the yards for others to buy and again weed out of their herds was raised by Mr Downes. He said that the testing officer should have power to mark cull cows and weed them out. The question was discussed, but no action was taken. Messrs Muff, W. H. Staniland or T. H. Symes, A. Johnson and Downes were elected a supervising committee, Mr Muff being later appointed chairman. A vote of thanks to the honorary members, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Farmers’ Union, banks and dairy companies, was passed. HOURS IN SHOPS LACK OF UNANIMITY Although Temuka business people agreed at a recent meeting on certain hours for opening and closing, to fall Into line with larger centres in reducing working hours, it appears that there has been a lack of unanimity among the shopkeepers and while some are adhering to the arranged hours others are observing their former routine. A prominent business man said yesterday that it appeared as though the town would be at “sixes and sevens” and that the object in view was unattainable. Those who were not observing the new hours were individual traders in a wide range of articles. There was a possibility of the scheme breaking down for if a tradesman neglected to follow the new arrangement, opening at 8.30 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m., other business rivals would be practically compelled to follow suit. He mentioned three cases of business people not observing the arrangement and said he knew of two others who would follow suit as the result of their action.