AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 June 1933, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the executive of the Wairarapa Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs, held yesterday afternoon, it was deemed expedient ■that the committees in charge of the seven district groups take a greater share in the administration of the competition. It was decided to make a levy of 10s on each group to meet the expenses in connection with championship trophies, etc. Groups are to be asked to provide group prizes, and also to appoint their own judges, etc. Groups are - to be asked to provide group prizes, and also to appoint their ■own judges. In formally moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, Mr Perry observed that their credit balance was a small one, making it a difficult matter to carry on for the ensuing year. He expressed the hope that the various groups would be able to provide the finance for prizes for their own groups. It was a bad time, he said,, to go round with “ hat-in-hand, ” asking for donations. Greytown had provided extra prizes last year, and Eketuliuna had done the same. In seconding the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr Bropliy (Featlierston j congratulated Mr S. Freeman, of the Agricultural Department, on the very concise report and financial statement presented. He referred in eulogistic terms ito the very great interest Mr Freeman had taken in the work of .the agricultural clubs, and said he had given most valuable assistance in the Dower Valley. The Agricultural Department had a most worthy officer in this district in Mr Freeman, he added. The 'Carterton district group representative, Mr 'Cole, reported that the Parkvale Committee had 30s in hand for the purpose of prizes. Mr Cole also sought information regarding the allocation of £2 2s donated last year by the Wairarapa Herd-testing Association. Mr Freeman, in explaining the circumstances, stated that the donation had been received after the allocation of the

prizes. Mr Carter ('Greytown), in covering matters connected with the allocation of prizes for the Greytown group, stated that every encouragement was given to the children. “We are very proud of Greytown’s effort,” observed the chairman, who added that a great deal depended on the attitude of the headmasters of the various schools. In Mr Carter they had a very fine enthusiast. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. In submitting the draft of a suggest-

ed circular containing .the conditions

relating to the calf-rearing competition, Mr Freeman said they had had valuable assistance from ithe Wellington Education Board, which had sent the circulars to the teachers of the district schools. After some amendments the draft was approved. There was a brief discussion on the subject of whether or not pedigree calves should be eligible. It was thought tliat their inclusion was to the disadvantage of the other two classes. A member pointed out that 80 per cent of the prize-winning valves in last year’s competition were grade calves. It was suggested that any difficulty might be overcome in this connection by the provision of a special class for pedigree calves. A suggestion that the judge should be asked to award a definite number of points to every calf entered in the competition was made by Mr F. C. Brockett. He said much depended on the teachers, who, lie said, were expect- - ed to assist the children.

'Sir William Perry expressed the opinion that it was not practicable for the judge to set down a scale of points for every calf as suggested. On the motion of Mr .'Herrick (Greytown), it was decided! to ■•seek the cooperation of the headmasters in each group in regard to the keeping of record charts by the children. The question of the marking of calves was discussed, and Sir William Perry thought that a system of hoof-marking might overcome some of the difficulties experienced in the past.

It wa.s finally decided that the matter of marking be left in the hands of each group. When Mr Campbell (Mt. Bruce) suggested that charts be brought more up-to-date, Mr Freeman said they were to be revised.

It wats decided to forward a. letter of appreciation to Mr Ben Roberts, of Carterton, last year’s judge. On the motion of Mr Cole, it was decided to secure the services of the ■three cattle judges when championship awards are to be decided.

Mr Perry expressed his disappointment -that parents did not attend the group judging -as they should. He said that the competitions had been very successfully run by Messrs Freeman and Brockett.

“That this meeting of the executive -of the Wairarapa Bovs’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs place on record the services rendered by the honorary secretary, Mr Freeman, and that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Department of Agriculture,” was the text of a resolution moved by Mr Perry, and carried enthusiastically by the meeting. Mr Freeman, in reply, said he was very grateful for the remarks which had been passed about him. His only regret was that he was not able to devote more .time to the competition than he had been able to do, Mr Freeman stressed the need for finance.

“We have been handicapped through not getting the Government .subsidy,” -observed Mr Perry,,, who announced amid -applause that a donation of £2 2s had been made by Sir William Perry.

Mr F. Norris stated that he would endeavour to secure a championship trophy. Prior to the close of the meeting, Mr ■Garter (Greytown) referred in appreciative terms to the work of Mr Perry and the officers in Mo-sterton to put the clubs on a good footing.