Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 67, Issue 4, 15 October 1943, Page 296

Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs

Western Bay of Plenty Annual Field Day

* a ‘‘HE annual field day of the Western J. Bay of Plenty Young- Farmers’ clubs was held th’S year on Mr. M. A. Wilkins’ property at Pongakawa. Ideal weather helped to make the day both successful and enjoyable. There was a very large attendance, representatives of all the active clubs in the district being present. Nearly forty Y.F.C. members entered the three stock-judging competitions, proving that interest •in the field day is increasing year by year. A number of senior farmers of the district also attended and voiced their whole-hearted approval of the activity. . ' Early in the afternoon members assembled at the homestead, from whence they proceeded along the road, bordered with gums and pines, to - the yards where the animals were penned. Favourable comment was made regarding the practical use to which concrete had .. been put, yards, sheds, piggeries and posts' all testifying to the manner in which concrete can be of value. .As far as the eye could see, fences were wired to concrete posts and strainers, making a neat picture against the background of treesas one young farmer said, “Artistry in concrete!” .

Judging Before the judging and demonstrations commenced, the District Committee chairman, Mr. W. P. Nichol, welcomed the visiting members, who were then free to commence their “pointing” and “reasoning.'” After sufficient time had elapsed for members to “place” all the animals, the cards were collected and marked, the judges in each class giving a comprehensive demonstration on the animals judged. The official judges were Messrs. G. F. D. Watson (dairy cattle class), G. P. Stratt (sheep), and J. A. Gulliver (pigs); the last-named judge is an active club. member. Results . The results were as follows:—-Dairy Cattle Class: Sen l orß. Vant (Paengaroa), 1; C. Riddell (Paengaroa), 2; T. Summerhayes and J. F. Reid (both of Pukehina), tied for 3rd. Junior I. Rowlandson (Tauranga), 1; G. Nichol. (Te Puke) and S. : Stratton (Paengaroa), tied for second; R. Russell (Paengaroa), 4. .Sheep Class: I. Spratt ' (Paengaroa), 1; S. McDowell (Paengaroa), 2; S. Gibbons (Pukehina), 3; A. F. Walter (Paengaroa), 4. Pig Glass: K. Conway (Paengaroa),' 1;

S. McDowell (Paengaroa), 2; A. F. Walter (Paengaroa), 3; E. Marshall (Paengaroa), 4. At the conclusion of the judging, the district chairman (Mr. Nichol) congratulated the winners in the various classes, and, on behalf of the District Committee, expressed appreciation of the judges’ assistance. - 'He pointed out that it would be impossible to hold such educational field days without the help of. the . sen ' or farmers, who so willingly placed both their property and services at the disposal of the Y.F.C. movement. The party then adjourned to the homestead for afternoon tea, supplied by Mrs. Wilkins and her helpers, after which Mr. Nichol extended the . thanks of all present to the host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins. - The vistors then attended a demonstration at the concrete factory, where Mr. T. Marshall explained the technique of making concrete “do just what one wanted .it to do!” The methods used in making the posts and strainers were eminently practical, even the “feet” and “stay blocks” being moulded in concrete for the allconcrete fence. In connection with the stockjudging competition, the Paengafoa Club holds the Gulliver Cup for - the ensuing year. This cup was presented last year for a points trophy, and was on that occasion, won by the Paengaroa club also. This year’s - field day was considered by all who took part to be the most successful activity of its kmd that the Western Bay of Plenty District Committee had so far arranged.

Dannevirke Y.F.C.

Field Day THE Dannevirke club held a most 1 successful field day on Mr. W. Edgcombe’s “Mana” Stud Farm at Umutaoroa. An invitation was extended to members of . the . Farmers’ Union and all other interested persons, the result being a total attendance of 55. A welcome was given to the visitors by ■B. Ellingham (Dannevirke club chairman), who made spec ; al mention of a carlodd. of Y.F.C.

members . . from- the , MangatainokaPahiatua club. / The first demonstration was: given by ’ Mr. R. J. Macdonald on the working... of a sheepdog. This , proved an eye-opener to many and of interest to all. Among other items, Mr. Macdonald showed . a dog under " proper command, and then let loose an unbroken pup for comparison.. The next subject was the.,. Southdown sheep, and Mr. C. R. ; Edgecombe gave the demonstration on a. stud ewe hogget. Afternoon tea then followed, kindly supplied by Mrs. Feierabend and Miss Mackenzie, and served in the paddock to . save .loss of valuable time. . Mr. R. J. ' Macdonald then took the Romney sheep as his subject, and demonstrated on a dozen stud ewes and' one ram. The final demonstration was. given on the : Aberdeen Angus cow by Mr. R. Edgecombe, a quiet stud cow being held in the ring for the purpose. ; The field day concluded' with a vote of thanks to Mr. W. Edgecombe for the use of his property, and to the demonstrators for the valuable information they had imparted and the time they had devoted to preparing and giving the demonstrat’ons. A special vote of thanks was accorded the ladies for supplying the enjoyable afternoon tea. J. L. SUNDERLAND, Hon. Secretary, Dannevirke Y.F.C.

Mid-Canterbury District Y.F.C. Debating Competition

r T~’HE Mid-Canterbury Young Farmers’ clubs annual inter-club Farmers’ clubs annual inter-club debating tournament was held this year in Ashburton, , and was won again by the Hinds club, winch club thus retains the Ashburton Rotary club’s trophy for another year. The subject of the debate was “That present day methods of farming are detrimental, to the land.” The Hinds club, which supported the affirmative, was represented' .by W. Taylor (leader), D. Chisnail, and J. R. Cocks; ,the Methven club team (negative) conssted of R. ' Wightman (leader), J. McKendry and A. McKay. The Hinds team was awarded 253 points, and the Methven team 223 points. A friendly debate on the. subject. “That increasing industrialisation will force New Zealand farmers to revert to . the British policy of mixed farming,” took place between the Meth ven club’s B team and a team from the High School debating club, the debate be ; ng won by the latter. The High School team, which supported the affirmative, consisted of G. Smith (leader),- 7 I. Me-

Gregor and R. Taylor, the Meth ven B team being D. Campion (leader), Stone and Limbrick. Mr. S. W. Gower, who kindly J acted as adjudicator,, congratulated the members of all the teams on the very high standard of debate, and gave it as his opinion that the performance of the Hinds team was as good as had been heard in Ashburton for some considerable time. Mr. A. A. McDonald, in presenting the cup, on behalf of the Rotary club, to W. Taylor, leader of the winning team, expressed the hope that in the near future there would be seven or eight clubs competing in the contest. Mr. E. Rhodes, chairman of the MidCanterbury District Committee, acted as chairman, and Mr. A. G. Rawlinson as timekeeper. Supper was handed round at the close of a very enjoyable .evening. . —S. WATSON, Hon. Secretary, Ashburton Y.F.C.

Reports on Club Activities

WESTERN SOUTHLAND. Dipton.Resignations of J. Crawford (chairman) and A. W." Mayer. (treasurer) accepted with regret the former is leaving the district and hopes to attend Lincoln College at a later date. Appreciation of . the splendid work done for the club by the retiring, office-bearers was endorsed by all present. W. King was unanimously elected to , fill the office of chairman, and it was agreed that the present secretary, D. B. Milligan, should undertake the dual position of secretary-treasurer. Three new members were enrolled. A team was selected to debate with the Farmers’ Union at the next meeting, the subject of the debate to be "That the Farm is An Ideal Place to Rear a Family." There was an attendance of eleven members out of a total of nineteen. Orepuki.— One new member enrolled. Arrangements finalised to enable members to travel to Invercargill to take part in the forthcoming field day and debate. Suggested that soldiers in district at present on furlough from the Middle East be asked to attend the next meeting and relate some of their experiences. Portion of travelling expenses paid to members who travelled to Dunedin to attend recent Council . Meeting. Short speeches given by various . club members. Lengthy discussion on Y.F.C. national essay competition. Minutes of District Committee and the Otago-Southland Council meetings discussed, and also the report of the Council Executive. Fifteen members present out of total of -three. ' Woodlands. Arrangements for a field day at the local linen flax factory; . also a dance the following week. Two teams selected to take part in the annual debating contest to be held at Invercargill. A. S. Trotter and K. J. Hargest gave interesting reports on the annual general meeting of the Federation held

Methven Y.F.C.

Annual Dog Trials 'T'HERE was a good attendance of A members at the Meth ven Y.F.C. annual dog trials held recently on Mr. R. J. Low’s property. There were thirteen entries in each of the two competitions. The winners in the first event, “head and long pull,” were: A. Molloy’s “Tip” Ist; I. Wilson’s “Tyke” 2nd; M. . Poff’s “Bob” 3rd; J. Watson’s “Darky” 4th. The awards in the second event, “driving,” were: A. Molloy’s “Tip” Ist; T. Wilson’s “Scot” 2nd; J. - Watson’s “Darky” 3rd; T. Mangen’s “Mack” 4th. The dog gaining the most points for the day was A. Molloy’s “Tip,” whose owner received the Young Farmers’ Club Cup, valued at 5 guineas, and Mr. A. G. Rawlinson’s miniature cup, valued at 25/-. J. Watson’s “Darky” - was the runner-up. The special prize donated by Mr. J, E. ■■ Harris for the best management of a dog was awarded to A.' Molloy. Donations towards the other prizes were received from Messrs. L. L. Richards, A. F. Marr and R. J. Low. Mr. C. Cran kindly acted as . judge. A very enjoyable afternoon tea was supplied by Mrs. Low, with the assistance of other ladies. —J. A. WATSON, Hon. Secretary, ' Methven, Y.F.C.

at Palmerston North. Talk by Mr. Gibson Smith ,on “The Care and Treatment of Ewes and Lambs at Lambing Time.” Eight members present out of a membership of fourteen. Wyndham. Team selected for debate. Question box evening. Twelve present out of fourteen. SOUTH OTAGO. Clutha Valley. Business meeting. Decided to make up a football team and challenge the Clydevale linen flax factory. Fifteen members present out of total of twenty-two. Milton.Annual meeting. Officers elected: Advisory President, Mr. A. B. Stewart; chairman, R. G. Robinson; deputy chairman, L. C. Allison and C. Tweedie; secretary, A. T. Allen. Challenge accepted from the Farmers’ Union for a debate; team selected, C. Tweedie, R. G. Robinson, A. T. Allison, and A. Sommerville. Mr. U. Walker (Bruce County Clerk) gave a lecture on “County Affairs"; in his talk the speaker touched on the rating system. There was an attendance of ten members out of a total of seventeen. 1 Warepa.— by three club delegates to the South Otago District Committee meeting. Visit arranged to Benhar Pottery Works. Secretary instructed to write to Rabbit Board, Dunedin, for full information regarding taxes and levies. on proceeds from sales of rabbitskins. Mr. J. B. Cook, Toiro, spoke on “Trapping and Skinning Rabbits”; he also dealt with the cleaning and stretching of the skins, and related his recent experiences in poisoning rabbits. A general discussion then took place on the poisoning of rabbits with strychnine. Ten members present. At the previous meeting eleven members attended; a report was given by L. Christie on the visit by club members to the South Otago Freezing Works and the linen .flax factory. Mr. A. J. McD.. Millar, River Trust engineer, spoke on “Soil Erosion”; the seriousness "of the . advance of erosion in New Zealand was stressed, the speaker stating that, apart from winning the war, the soil-erosion problem was the most important one confronting the Government today. The local Public Library took a new lease of life when the new librarian, a club member, issued books to members ; after the meeting. Due to the initiative of the club members, the library has been transferred from the school to the hall and reopened. It is intended to procure some new books when sufficient funds are available. DUNEDIN. Palmerston.—Lecture by Mr. S. H. Saxby, Department of Agriculture, on “Eye-spot in Wheat." Attendance of nine out of eighteen. West Taieri.— new members enrolled. Y.F.C. badges procured and distributed to members. Letter received from the advisory president of the Mosgiel District High School Y.F.C., asking for assistance with the newlyformed club. Lecture by Mr., A. Millar on “The Care of the Ewe at Lambing Time.” Sixteen members present out of a. total of seventeen. ’■ SOUTH CANTERBURY. Fairlie.— meeting took the form of an open one to all farmers in the district, the secretary, B. J. O’Neill, presiding. Messrs. Bevan and McLean, of Lincoln College, addressed the meeting; Mr. Bevan - spoke on “Plant Research” and the work of the college, and Mr. McLean on “Veterinary Problems.” At the previous meeting arrangements were . finalised for the : proposed tour by the Lincoln College lecturers. A very interesting address on “Potatoes” was given by Mr. A. J. Salt,- a local farmer. Ten members were in attendance out of eighteen. MID-CANTERBURY. .—Three new members enrolled. R. Wightman (chairman), A. McKay, and J. Watson were appointed to make - necessary ar-

rangements for the stock-judging competition. A. McKay gave reports on the monthly meeting of , the .A. and P. Association, and the meeting of the District Executive Committee. It was decided that two debates be held against the Darfleld club at the next meeting, the subjects . being “That . a Post-war Policy of European Immigration would be in the best interests of New Zealand," and "That World Free-trade Would be Beneficial to New Zealand."' The usual mock meeting took , place. Mr, Penrose, of Leeston, gave a very interest-' ing talk on "Bee-keeping and Bees Generally." Twenty-seven members present. CHRISTCHURCH. Ellesmere. National Y.F.C. essay competition discussed. Decided to hold another dance to raise funds for Xmas parcels for members overseas. Mr. C. Howe, . Consulting Officer, New Zealand Dairy Board, gave a talk on “Diseases in Dairy Cattle," dealing mainly with mastitis. Seventeen present. - Arrangements for club ball. Debate to be held with Methven club, subject, “That a Post-war Policy of European Immigration Would be in the Best Interests of New Zealand.” Debate to be held at Methven. . .." NORTH CANTERBURY. Scargill-Omihi.— on the means by which the club could bring to public notice the growing menace of nasella tussock. Letter to be written to the County Council urging that nasella tussock be declared a noxious weed. Preparation for field day to. be held in October. An address was given by Mr. S. E. L. Roberts entitled “The Future of the Country . and the Duty of the Young Farmers.” Twenty" members present. MANAWATU. Bunnythorpe.—J. Wood selected as actingchairman. Arrangements for the sending of parcels to members overseas. Discussion on Y.F.C. section at the Women’s Institute show; decided that the exhibit be made more comprehensive. A. Slack to be acting-chairman at the next meeting. Extract from the Y.F.C. Constitution read by T. Hyde; B. Neylor selected to read a further extract at next meeting. Letter of condolence to be sent to the family of the late Air-Gunner Norman Maul. Address by Mr. Hewitt (Massey College) on “Sheep Farming.” - Eleven members' present. Rongotea.General business. Church parade to be : held on ' October 3 at Rongotea Methodist Church. Rev. Gould to be speaker at next meeting. ' Address by Mr.- Roberts on “Farming in : Relation to Public ; Health.” At the previous meeting W. M. Hunt was appointed to the position of hon. secretary. Mr. R. 0. Gloyn selected to represent the club on . the Feilding A. . and P. Association. The meeting then adjourned to enable members to attend the W.D.F.U. meeting, where a lantern lecture on “Vegetable Production” was given by Miss Cocks-Johnston. Attendances of eleven and sixteen were recorded respectively at the two meetings. SOUTHERN HAWKE’S BAY. Mangatainoka. — Annual meeting. Officers elected: Advisory president, Mr. F. E. Ward; chairman, I. Algie; secretary and treasurer, H. Bairstow; vice-chairman, A. Boistad; hon. auditor, Mr. R. P. Boagie; committee, club officials, with addition of K. Pryde, E. Bryant, .1. Cotter, W. Reichenbach, and J. Moynahan. Eight members present. This club has revived its activities after being in recess for over a year; the members generally are determined to make every effort to carry, on. WAIRARAPA. — Address by Mr. J. L. Heckler on “Farming in General"; the speaker dealt with some very interesting features, including the origin of the horse and other domestic