WAIKATO WINTER SHOW

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15999, 30 May 1924, Page 8

WAIKATO WINTER SHOW

CATTLE DEMONSTRATIONS. BREEDING TO TiPE. TRIBUTE TO DAIRY DIVISION. Several talks'and demonstrations on the different breeds of cattle were given in the. Calf Club' tent at the Show yesterday afternoon. Major Spragg, the Jersey expert, demonstrated the points of this famous fat-producing breed an an animal belonging to Mr Moreland, of Te Rapa. During the course of his talk eh paid a tribute to Mr Singleton, head of the Dairy Division, and other officers of the division for the great work they had done for the dairy industry. The speaker also stressed the need for universal herd-testing and adherence to breed type. He then explained the numerous points in detail and referred to the great prowess of the Jersey as a butter-fat producer. Mr A. M. Wier demonstrated the points of the Ayrshire breed, telling his audience that amongst other things to commend this breed were beauty and symmetry of form. The Ayrshire possessed a hardy constitution and could live where many other breeds could not. It seemed easily able to acclimatise and could adapt itself to all climes, and classes of soil, to hillycountry or to . flats. It had a high standard of udder development, which was always a great asset in a dairy cow. The Ayrshire was a long-lived animal and milked from i 8 months up to 12 or 15 years. The speaker stressed the importance of breeding to type,and said that fater all the final test was in production. He proceeded _to detail the points which went to distinguish the Ayrshire breed. SHORTHORN BREEDERS. N.Z ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEET. ING. The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association was held in the Town Hall lastevening. Mr J. M. Ranstead presided over an attendance of between 30 and 40. Annual Report. It was stated in the annual report that during the year the council had drafted rules' of the association. Arrangements had been made for the importation of Dairy Shorthorn bull calves from England. These would oe selected by Major G. .1. Buxton, president of the British Dairy Shorthorn Association. Major Buxton had visited the Dominion during the year and had kindly offered his assistance in the matter. The council's offer of seven £SO prizes for cows under semi-official test had resulted in increased attention being paid to the production cf high records. Three of those prizes had already been awarded, and it was confidently expected that when the final results of the cows now under test came to hand three more prizes would be won. It was anticipated that the class leaders of the NewZealand milking Shorthorns would then compare very favourably with those of other breeds in New Zealand. Melba XV'. of Darbalara, world's champion cow, had shown what Milking Shorthorns could do with good treatment. Te finances of the association were fairly satisfactory, but far too much appeared on the books as outstanding subscriptions and fees due for entries and inspection. The bylaw that no entry for registration should be accepted unless fees accompany s'ame, and the member's subscription also paid, would have to be strictly enforced in future. The sale of herd-books were disappointingly small when the outlay was considered. The stock of the .herd books on hand had been written down by £2OO. Liqui i assets of the association amounted to £1760, being made up of £960 in war certificates and £BOO on deposit.

During the subsequent discussion, j the secretary announced that one-third j of the outstanding fees and subscrip- | tions had been written off. It was j pointed out, however, that the Asso- i ciation had power under its incorporation to sue for subscriptions due. IE would not be a "nice" thing to have to do, but the power to do it was , there. The secretary also slated that since the balance sheet hrl been presented the sum of £SO had been received. • On the motion of the president, seconded by Mr Allan Fisher, the report and balance sheet were adopted. Notices of Motion. The following notices of motion were dealt with : It was proposed by Mr J. Hearsley, "that annual subscriptions to the Association be one guinea, to include copy of rcrd book," An amendment to the effect that the fee be 25s was lost, and the original motion was carried. The executive brought forward the question of semi-official test prizes. It was moved and carried: "That the motion passed at the half-yearly general meeting be confirmed, viz., that on and after January 1, 1925, the conditions for awarding the £SO special 5.6. test prizes be amended for classes not already won, and the Association's prize of £SO be awarded lo the cow making the highest record in her class under S.O. test in any one year over and above the standard set." Two more motions by the executive were discussed. The first was: "That conditions of entry of herd book be: That all animals for registration must be entered before twelve months old, or a double entry fee be charged up to two years old. Animals over two years of age, the entry to be at the discretion of the Council." An amendment that the words "twelve months old" be replaced by "two years old" was withdrawn. The motion was passed with the addition of the words "after June 30" to the beginning of the word "that."

The executive's second motion was as 1 follows: "That all animals competing in Milking Shorthorn classes at A. and P. shows must be registered, or accepted for -registration, in this Association's herd books." It was carried unanimously. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr Allan Fisher (Pukerimu, Cambridge): vice-presi-dents, Messrs W. Jenkins (Christchurch), and A. J. Melville (Buckland); treasurer, Mr J. Hearsle? (Palmerston North); auditor, Mr P. L. Simm (Palmerston Worth). ,

_—* . THE THIRD DAY IMPROVED WEATHER CONDITIONS INFLUX OF COUNTRY VISITORS

General Items. Mr Ranstead, the retiring president, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, for past services, by acclamation. He was complimented on the manner m which he had conducted the business of the Association from its inception. Seeing that he had been appointed judge of Shorthorn classes at various shows in all parts of New Zealand, it showed that he had the confidence j of breeders generally. \ resolution confirming and adopting the new rules of the Association was carried. It was stated that although there were 550 names on the roll, there were only 250 active members. A suggestion which was heartily supported was that the herd book should'be published annually. SHOW CHAT. \ very interesting exhibit on the Ruakura State Farm stand is that demonstrating the value of different fertiliser combinations and the treatment of soils'. Actual turf direct from the pastures is on show, and the visitor is able to see for himself, after reading the explanatory charts, the results of pastures both well and badly managed. Where the land has not been top-dressed or chain-harrowed undesirable growths like and cat’s car are to be observed. Where well managed noxious growths do not appear, but are kept out by clovers j and better grasses. The farmer should i not fail to pay the Ruakura stand a visit, as' in addition to the turf demonstrations the stand is an encyclopaedia of farming knowledge.. The visiting factory managers and others who were the guests of the Show Association on a river trip on the Manuwai yesterday afternoon enjoyed the outing immensely. The weather fortunately was fine, and an appetising afternoon tea was served aboard by the ladies’ committee. The river was not looking at its best, but the visitors were nevertheless delighted with the scenery, and one Auckland gentleman was heard to remark that he intended to bring his wife and family to Hamilton and, if he had to charter the steamer himself, he would do so in order that they should all make the trip. • /i . : ' " “Cow-testing and shelter are two main'factors in increased production,” read an advertisement near the root crops section: "Judging by the results which have been obtained by farmers who have paid particular attention to these two essentials in dairy farming, the man who wrote that advertisement knew what he was talking about. As ! saeson succeeds season the value of j herd-testing is becoming more rccog- j nised, .but there arc as yet many farmers who are losing a large quantity of money by failing to carry out testing and shelter, the two greatest benefits a dairy farmer can have. “Where were those root crops grown?” a farmer was heard to ask when he saw a certain exhibitor of mangolds had been awarded first prize. Nobody standing in the vicinity' could give him the information. Hence this suggestion. In future would it not be a good plan for those in charge of the various root crop exhibits to have cards printed and placed on the various' entries to indicate where the particular exhibits had been grown? Patronage from Auckland on the special show train which arrived yesterday morning was distinctly disappointing. The number of passengers who took advantage of the enterprise shown by the Waikato Winter Show Association Was certainly not up to expectations. A delay of two hours occurred to the train conveying the Rotorua children to the Show yesterday. A slip on the line at Mamaku was the cause. The situation was promptly handled by the railway authorities, the kiddies being landed at Hamilton at 1 p.rn. none the worst for their experience. Visitors' to the Show remarked upon the large display of beautiful trophies j exhibited in the dairy section. Some j of the cups were most handsome in design and workmanship. An interesting exhibit at the Fresian breeders’ stand is a photograph showing the three highest butterfal cows in New Zealand with an aggregate yield in one year of 3022 lbs. Many characteristics of country folk were in evidence' in Hamilton yesterday. Outside ,the Show buildings' in Ward Street small gatherings of people met together to talk over little things so dear to the hearts of the people who have to live “out back.” Show time is meeting time for so many who have not “had a talk” for 12 months. Hamilton’s main streets had a most businesslike air about them yesterday. The “keep to the left rule” was conspicuous by its absence. Folk were all over the footpaths and at times it was difficult to get along, especially if one was in a hurry. The happy faces and laughter and banter heard on all sides told of a happiness for the day. After several days of wet miserable weather, the rain clouds passed away and old King Sol gave of his warmth once again yesterday. The sky was blue in the middle of the day,-and the number of people in attendance at the Show mounted up, making the hearts of the executive glad. Traffic on Hamilton suburban railways was fairly heavy yesterday. Between four and five in flic afternoon the railway platform was continuously crowded. .Music hath .charms! Long before the orchestra tuned up yesterday afternoon the space round the platform was filled with an anticipating crowd. They were not disappointed, as the music was good and lively.