YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 72, Issue 1, 15 January 1946, Page 85

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

Granted Speciai Overseas Bursary

CB. (“BILL”) ANDERSON, a member ■ of the Bulls Y.F.C., whose letters have been an interesting feature of these pages, has been granted a special Overseas Bursary by the Rehabilitation Department. The bursary, tenable in the United Kingdom, will enable him to investigate pure-bred livestock in some of the world-famed studs. One of the original members of the Bulls Young Farmers’ Club, formed in April, 1937, Bill Anderson has performed valuable work for the Y.F.C. movement. He has. been . secretary and chairman at different times in his own club, and prior to going overseas he was chairman of the Wanganui District Committee for a time. A member also of the Wellington Y.F.C. Council, he served on the Dominion Executive of the Y.F.C. Federation. Always keenly interested in stock-judging, he has been prominent in this sphere, not only in his own district, but also in other parts of the Dominion. He has shown the most success with Southdown sheep aid some years before the war he started his own small pure-bred Southdown stud.

Southdown Breeder

He will be aided by Mr. Arthur , Fawkes,' of Headcorn, Kent, in his investigations. Mr. Fawkes is a well-known Southdown breeder, and some of his stock have been imported to New Zealand and included in the “Killeymoon” stud at Bulls, the district in which “Bill” Anderson is farming. It is felt that not only will the latter profit considerably by his experience, but that in due course he will be able to apply his greater knowledge to the benefit of stud stock in his district. Close study of animals, such as will be made by “Bill” Anderson, must ultimate'y lead to improvement of particular breeds in this country.

The granting of this bursary brings credit not only to “Bill” Anderson, but also to the Y.F.C. movement. One of the aims of the movement is to bring forward young men fitted for leadership, who will, by their initiative and self-reliance, provide an example for others. “Bill” Anderson, who is one of these young men, will carry with him overseas the best wishes of all fellow Y.F.C. members in New Zealand.

Fat Lambs

Manawatu Competition

AMONG the large crowd, at the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association’s fat lamb competitions at Longburn Freezing Works on December 6 were many young farmers, who took a keen interest in the judging. There were five sections for competition among Y.F.C. members, one between individual clubs, and four among individual club groups. High appreciation of the standard of fat lambs which came forward for judging “on the. hoof” was expressed, by the judge, Mr. R. Mitchell, of Wanganui. He stated that he had seen numbers of pens of fat lambs this season at various shows and in similar competitions, but he considered these entries the best. This opinion was supported by the associate judge, Mr. P. Isaac, of Wanganui. Associated with the senior steward, Mr. L. B. Wall, were Messrs. J. F. Knight, S. R. Thomson, and G. M. Moffitt. Following are the results of the judging "on the hoof” in the Y.F.C. classes: — C.W.S. Shield, valued at £lO 10s. (Group of lambs from any Young Farmers’ Club in the Manawatu and Oroua districts not to average more than 361 b. freezing weight): Pohangina Y.F.C. 1, Rongotea Y.F.C. 2, Kairanga Y.F.C. 3, Whakarongo Y.F.C. v.h.c., Feilding Y.F.C. h.c. Five entries in the class. Individual Y.F.C. groups (three woolly, longwool, or shortwool crossbred, for export, under 361 b): Kairanga Y.F.C.: B. H. Voss 1, A. A. Neilsen 2, Zurcher Bros. 3 (10 entries). Rongotea Y.F.C.: R. 0. Gloyn 1 and 3, N. Zajonskowski 2. (9 entries). Whakarongo Y.F.C.: D. J. Lynch 1, J. Oxenham 2 and 3. (6 entries). Feilding Y.F.C.: D. J. Griffin 1 and 3, E. Beazer 2. (6 entries). Pohangina Y.F.C.: P. A. MacDonald 1 and 2, C. Gavin 3. (9 entries). In the classes not restricted to Y.F.C. members, the following awards were made:— N.Z. Meat Producers’ Board’s district competition (three woolly lambs, not over 361 b. freezing weight, quality first consideration): H. A. Stewart (Mt. Stewart) 1, P. A. MacDonald (Pohangina) 2 and 4, Estate of T. O’Neill (Halcombe) 3, K. J. Henson (Sanson) 5, W. S. Fell (Longburn) 6. (73 entries).

Returned servicemen’s competition (three woolly, longwool or shortwool crossbred, for export, exhibitor to have served with the armed forces overseas): P. A. MacDonald 1 and 2, W. J. Gloyn 3. (8 entries). The carcasses were judged on the following day by Messrs. C. Williamson and W. Wilson, the . results being as follows: P. A. MacDonald (Pohangina) 1 and 2, B. H. Voss (Kairanga) 3, H. A. Stewart (Mt. Stewart) 4, A. E. Callingham (Stanway) 5, W. S. Fell (Longburn) 6, J. Collis (Kairanga) 7, C. T. Keeble (Kairanga) 8, K. J. Henson (Sanson) 9, Estate of T. O’Neill (Halcombe) 10. These pens will form the Manawatu group to . compete in the Meat Board’s Dominion competition. The best lamb exhibited was entered by P. A. MacDonald, of the Pohangina Young Farmers’ Club. The supervising grader awarded it full marks. • : Mr. L. B. Wall (vice-president of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association), in the absence of the president (Mr. Brian Keiller), presided at the luncheon. In his address he thanked Mr. Moffitt, who contributed largely to the success of the competition. He also thanked Mr. W. E. Wilson, manager of the works, for his co-operation.’ Mr. Wall expressed pleasure at the participation of the Young Farmers’ Clubs, and congratulated P.

A. MacDonald on his success ,in the Y.F.C. competitions and in the open and servicemen’s classes. He referred to the support given the competition by the Co-operative Wholesale Society. Mr. Wilson said it was a matter dor congratulation that the fat lamb competition had won widespread support despite a difficult season. The society was pleased to have assisted in reviving the activities of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association. He added that Mr. Moffitt had the Y.F.C. movement in mind when he began organising the competition. Mr. Wilson said that the society he represented was anxious to help in every way movements which aimed at the production of the highest quality in meat. Mr. C. Williamson, supervising grader of the Meat Board, expressed pleasure at the interest and active support of the Young Farmers’ Clubs in the district and Mr. Moffitt, in speaking of the amount of work involved, mentioned the help both of the Young Farmers’ Clubs and the buyers from Longburn and other works. The C.W.S. Shield for the Young Farmers’ Clubs group competition was presented to R. G. Passey, secretary of the Pohangina Club, by Mr. Wall, who congratulated the club upon its success.

Five Forks Club Has Sports Meeting

THE Five Forks Young Farmers’ Club (which has lately resumed its activities) held its first sports meeting on Mr. J. Kingan’s property, Black Cap, recently. The event was a great success due to the keenness of club members and the assistance given by local farmers and there was a large gathering of spectators and competitors. First event was the dog trial (for Y.F.C. members only). Later, various horse events were held, in addition to weight-guessing and chain-stepping competitions. Results were:— Dog trials: J. Kingan 1, R. Stott 2. Horse events. Jumping: E. Sell 1, C. Kingan 2; ladies’ walk: J. Kingan 1, J. Ruddenklau 2; children’s trot: R. Kingan 1, J. Ruddenklau 2; Y.F.C. gallop (Ist division): S. Bryant 1, D. Frew 2; - Y.F.C. gallop (2nd division): J. Kingan 1, W. Sinclair 2; ladies’ trot: J. Kingan

I, B. Kingan 2; Y.F.C. walk: J. Kingan 1, E. Ruddenklau 2; Y.F.C. walk, trot, and gallop: E. Sell 1, D. Frew 2; children’s walk: T. Gibson 1, C. Hacquoil 2; lead and unsaddle: J. Kingan 1, A. Gibson 2; gate opening: C. Kingan 1, E. Sell 2; stock riding: E. Sell. 1, E. Ruddenklau 2; children’s walk, trot, and gallop: D. Kingan 1, R. Kingan 2; Y.F.C. relay: E. Ruddenklau, R. Scott, C. Kingan, and J. Kingan 1. Other events.—Chain-stepping: R. Ruddenklau 1; weight-guessing: A. Heron 1. A dance was held in the evening. Music was supplied by Mr. H. Wilde, with extras by Mr. Searle and Mr. Watson and Mr. Wilde also contributed vocal items. The winners of the Monte Carlo were Mr. A. Gibson and Miss N. Gibson. Mr. J. Kininmont was M.C. The club chairman (Mr. E. F. Ruddenklau) presented certificates to the successful field day competitors. The profit from the Field Day and dance amounted to £2B 13s. 6d. which included a donation of £5 from Mrs. R. S. Mitchell, and over £8 from the raffle of a cake donated by Mrs. Simpson. The purpose of the field day and dance was to raise funds for the erection of a suitable memorial (in the form' of an Honours Board) to club members who served overseas. F. WILSON, Hon. Secretary, Five Forks Y.F.C.

"Plant Research"— An Address

AN interesting and instructive address, “The Application of Science to the Problems of Primary Production in New Zealand,” was delivered to the members of the Franklin Young Farmers’ Club by Mr. N. Kirton. Mr. Kirton, who considered the subject- too wide to be covered in one address, confined his remarks to one aspect, “Plant Research.” He said that never before had farmers to combat the amount of pestilence and disease that now confronted them. Plant Research Stations had accumulated a vast amount of knowledge on these matters, Mr. Kirton said, in stressing that the application of this knowledge lay with the farmers themselves. He considered that the limiting factor in production was plant disease, the direct loss through this now being computed at £7,000,000 annually; the indirect loss added considerably to this figure. Most new diseases were introduced from overseas, in spite of the strictest • vigilance and the quarantining of seeds while samples were germinated and tested. Mr. Kirton, in discussing various crops, indicated the diseases to which they are subject and methods of combating them. He answered several questions, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. —C. C. UPTON, Hon. Secretary, Franklin Y.F.C.

Calf-feeding

Winners at Te Awamutu

WINNING groups in the Te Awamutu Club’s calf competition were fed as follows: D. Hodgson’s group of .20 calves (first): For the first three weeks the calves were fed on new milk, beginning with 61b. daily and increasing to 101 b. They were then gradually changed on to skim-milk with calf meal mixed in. The milk was increased to 2 gal. per day and the meal to 20z., according to the growth of the calf. All milk was brought to blood heat by adding hot water. The calves when brought in were kept from a week to ten days in a shed. They were then let out during the day and shut up at night until 8 weeks old. At this age they were allowed to run with the cows, at no time being shut up and always getting fresh grass. They were fed in this manner until they were weaned at 5 to 6 months of age.

H. Donaldson’s group of 8 calves (second): These Jersey-cross calves, born between July 26 and August 28, were selected from dams averaging 3681 b. fat in 279 days during the previous season. All the calves were healthy and virile at birth, reflecting the good feeding of their mothers through the winter. When 3 days old each calf was placed in a calf shed to keep it warm and dry and to allow it to forget its mother. After 24 hours’ starving the calf was fed on whole milk brought to blood heat with a little hot water. The calves were housed for a week during which they were permanently identified and their horn buds treated with caustic. The ration of milk was gradually increased to 1 gal. per day, plus J gal. of hot water, until, when a month old, they were introduced to a proprietary substitute feed pastea milk extract containing milk sugar 34 per cent., milk salts 13 per . cent., milk proteins 18 per cent., and butterfat 1.5 per cent. A whitish brown liquid, it is mixed with water in the proportion of lib. of paste to 1 gal. of water. Calves were gradually put on to this feed

and there was no difficulty in getting them to take it. At from 6 to 8 weeks of age each calf received daily only 1 gal. of mixed paste and water plus j gal. of warm water. The calves were gradually weaned at from 3i to 4| months of age. The only case of scouring was quickly cured with castor oil. Hay was always available while the calves were on the bucket. In favourable weather they were grazed during the day in the paddock used by the herd the previous night. The estimated cost of feeding the paste was 18s. 9d. per calf, about half it would have cost to feed on new milk. D. Ellis’s group of calves (third): For the first five days the calves were fed on 31b. of their mothers’ milk twice daily. This was then increased till at 10 days they received lj gal. daily. At six weeks of age water and scalded meal' were added, till at 8 weeks each feed consisted of 31b. of milk, 71b. water, and jib. meal. This method of feeding continued until the . calves were gradually weaned at about 3j to 4 months of age. Thereafter they were given abundant change of pasture. The calves always had a clean fresh paddock and plenty of fresh water, but they had no sleeping shed. —F. E. TURNER, Hon. Secretary, Te Awamutu Y.F.C.

MARLBOROUGH BOYS' AND GIRLS’ CLUBS

T AST year the Marlborough Boys’ and LAST year the Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs resumed operations. The province was divided into four groupsßai Valley, Havelock, Blenheim, and Ward. Competitions in gardening, lamb-rearing, and -rearing were arranged. A few schools also had projects in poultryrearing. Entries for. the year were most encouraging and 17 schools participated; 69 calves and 47 lambs were reared, and 30 home gardens and 246 school victory garden plots were cultivated by the children. The judging days at Rai Valley, Havelock, Spring Creek, and Ward, which were very well attended, roused much enthusiasm. . For the championship judging before a large crowd at Awarua Park, Spring Creek, calves and lambs were brought in from all over the province. , .< Current season entries showed a sharp rise. Calf entries rose from 69 to 139, lamb entries from 47 to 152, and garden entries from 276 to 347. In addition there were 82 entries in other competitions such as poultry-rearing, pigrearing, and gladioli and sweet pea growing. The number of schools which participated rose from 17 to 30, and an additional group was formed at the Marlborough College Intermediate School.

Reports on Club Activities

EASTERN SOUTHLAND

Southland Technical College Y.F.C.— Held two club debates. “That the Present-day Farmer Spends too much of his Time away from his Farm.” Speakers: Affirmative, A. Edwards, M. Lamb, N. Kock; negative, W. Baird, J. Crombie, W. Cussens. “That the Wireless Provides a Superior Form of Entertainment to the Cinema.” Speakers: Affirmative, T. Leonard, A. McKay, D. L. Thomson; negative, D. Crighton, A. Power, B. North.

DUNEDIN Mosgiel D.H.S.— day at Mr. W. Young’s farm, Allanton, to view the land under various crops. Mr. Young discussed with members the preparation of the land, the fertilising and sowing, and the after-care of oats grown for horse feed, Cross 7 wheat, potatoes, mangolds, and turnips. He also demonstrated the use of types of tillage implements. Otago Boys’ High School Y.F.C.Newlyformed club with an initial membership of 31. Mr. Gow, of the Department of Agriculture, addressed the meeting on “The Y.F.C. Organisation.” Officers elected will be published later. Palmerston. Arrangements for a combined field day with Dunback Club. Mr. Ivan Smith, a returned serviceman, gave a talk, “Experiences in the Islands.”

NORTH OTAGO Enfield.— Discussion about a club picnic on Boxing Day. Field day trip to Hakataramea Valley arranged. A competition was held on “What Branch of N.Z. Farming , has the Best Future and Why?” Talk by Mr. J. Buzan on his travelling experiences in Canada while serving in the Air Force. Herbert.— Arrangements for the club gala. Lecture by Mr. McMann on “Permanent Fencing.” Mr. McMann gave a detailed demonstration with models of stays, strainers, gates, and gate-posts.

MID-CANTERBURY Hinds.— Prepared speech contest: W. Taylor 1, R. Cocks 2, K. McConnell 3. L. Chisnail won the junior contest. Mr. D. Bruce was adjudicator. - Methven. Report on A. and P. Association meeting by C. J. Wilson. Tennis afternoon to be held. Exhibition of films by representatives of International Harvester Co. Twenty members attended a field day at Messrs. Dunkley and Kermodes farm, Winchmore. Mr. G. K. McPherson, Department of Agriculture, gave a talk on the points of pasture-judging. A pasture-judging competition was held in which all Mid-Canterbury clubs took part.

CHRISTCHURCH Ellesmere. One new member enrolled. A talk was given by L. C. Coe, a club member, on his experiences as a prisoner of war. NORTH CANTERBURY Cheviot.— arrangements for field day. Suggestions for Y.F.C. classes at the A. and P. Show. One new member enrolled. Talk on “Air Sea Rescue Work” by Fit. Sgt. V. Williams, recently returned from overseas. Oxford.— “ Question and Answers” evening dealing with farm topics. — Arrangements finalised for dance-to be held as a tribute to land girls of the district. Members spoke for three minutes on various subjects, and Mr. Sole gave an address on “Debating.”

MARLBOROUGH Flaxbourne.— Discussion on finance. Presentation to be made to the retiring vice-chairman, who is leaving the district. Mr. H. Cooke, a local dairy farmer, gave a demonstration of milk-testing; with his testing oufit he tested samples of milk brought by members.

NELSON

— Newly-formed club. Officers elected: Advisory president, Mr. F. A. Eden; chairman, M. Savage; secretary, B. Hodgkinson. The district Y.F.C. secretary, Mr. D. Merry, Department of Agriculture, addressed the meeting on “The Aims and Objects of the Y.F.C. Movement.” He also explained some slides on “Soil Erosion.”

WESTLAND Kokatahi-Koiterangi. W. Amberger was elected chairman in place of J. Ritchie, resigned. Preliminary arrangements were made for a sports meeting in March. W. Amberger, A. Little, M. Cropper, and J. Mitchell discussed “That this Particular Land Needs Ploughing in order to Establish Permanent Pastures.” A talk, “The Finer Points of a Jersey Cow,” was given by Mr. C. Monk.

HOROWHENUA Levin.— Two new members enrolled. Subcommittee set up to report on the advisability of the club acquiring its own rooms. Discussion on Y.F.C. Memorial held over pending decision of the Dominion Executive Committee on the form that the national memorial should take. A demonstration debate, “The Pick-up Baler v. the Stationary Baler,” was held. Speakers, J. Stewart and B. Bartholomew (“Pick-up”), G. Gimblett and R. Speedy (“Stationary”). All took part in a . debate “That Co-operative; Ownership of Farm Machinery by Three or Four Farmers is More Economical than Individual Ownership.” Mr. C. Webb acted as judge in both debates. MANAWATU Apiti.— successful shearing competition was held on November 10. More than 50 were present, including 24 competitors. A full report will be published later. Bunnythorpe.— Report on district committee meeting. Assistant secretary to become secretary. Arrangements made for future lectures. Short addresses given by. members as follows: J. Gane (“Sydney”), C. Neylan (“Brazil”), J. O’Brien (“The Atom”). Piohangina Valley.— Discussion on.the Manawatu district fat lamb competition. One new member enrolled. Decided that, at meetings where there is no lecturer, four members be selected alphabetically to give short talks on any subject they choose. Addresses on their experiences abroad were given by L. Wagstaff and W. Smart. Methods of farming in Italy and Egypt were well portrayed by the speakers. At an earlier meeting the Y.F.C. Memorial and Lincoln College Scholarship were . discussed. In the absence of a lecturer, a “quiz” session was held, three members being selected to reply to questions, which led to discussions on farming topics generally. A parents’ and friends’ evening with motion pictures, supper, and several dances was held. The films which were exhibited by Mr. A. V. Lithgow, Department of Agriculture, assisted by Mr. Ivan Tabor, chairman of the Whakarongo Club, dealt with subjects such as oil pipe-line laying and dehydration. Rongotea.— Business meeting. Social committee to arrange a function in support of the local R.S.A. Queen Carnival. Whakarongo.— Discussion on the Manawatu district fat lamb competition. Three entries received. Prizes of 10/- and 5/- respectively donated by E. Johansen and D. Astwood for the best collection of vegetables exhibited by a young farmer at the Womens’ Institute flower show. Interesting talk on “Farm Shelter” by the vice-chairman, J. Spall. WANGANUI Bulls. large crowd enjoyed a successful Victory Ball held by the Bulls Club to raise money for the National Y.F.C. Memorial, the funds being assisted by a donation of £25.

Marton.— Discussion on the request from th® Marton A. and .P. Association for judges' assistants, and class stewards for the annual show. Team congratulated on winning the district debating contest. The • Rangitikei Catchment Board asked whether members wanted copies of periodical bulletins issued by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Decided to hold a gymkhana on Anniversary Day to raise funds for the National Y.F.C. Memorial. Discussion on the Y.F.C. Show to be held at Feilding. Programme of films from the National Film Library: “Life Cycle of Plants,” “Story of a Disturbance,” “They Met in London,” “Reviews Nos. 103 and 90,” “Fighter Pilot,” “First Principles of Compression Ignition Engine,” “Review No. 148,” and “First Principles of Lubrication.”

SOUTH TARANAKI

Pihama. Discussion on future activities. Arrangements for a dance. Talk on “Stock and Their Ailments” by Mr. A. Leslie, veterinarian, Eltham. At the previous meeting the club was addressed by Mr. J. E. Davies, district Y.F.C. secretary, on “Aims and Objects of the Y.F.C. Movement.”

CENTRAL TARANAKI

Bird Road. — Dance to be held in Stratford Town Hall. Address by Mr. Fearn, a local veterinarian, on “The Feeding of Farm Animals.” The speaker, in comparing hand feeding with pasture feeding, dealt. with the advantages of food’ concentrates.

Toko. One new member enrolled. Arrangements for a' visit to Waitotara Freezing Works. Members engaged in impromptu speeches and general discussion.

NORTH TARANAKI

Mangamahoe.— Business meeting. Report on district committee meeting held at New Plymouth. Arrangements to be made for a visit to fertiliser works at Smart Road.

— Newly-formed club. Officers elected: Advisory president, Mr. F. B. Blundell; chairman, M. Radford; secretary and treasurer, D. Smith.

Omata.— Decided to hold a dance. Collection of club subscriptions arranged. Debate, “That Tractors are Better than Horses on a Farm”; speakers, J. H. Thomas and F. Jordan (affirmative), F. Beresford and I. Kurth (negative).

Tikorangi Discussion on Y.F.C. Memorial and Land Settlement Schemes. Impromptu debate, “Sheep Farming v. Dairy Farming.”

Urenui. This club recently resumed activities. Officers elected: Advisory president, Mr. E. Maxted; chairman, J. Davidson; secretary and treasurer, J. Sultzberger.

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY

Otane. Newly-formed club. Further details may be available later. Waipukurau.— Discussion on prospects of a ploughing match and dog trials in the autumnAddress by Mr. J. P. Ormond, “The N.Z. Meat Board.” At a previous meeting Mr. J. Mackie gave an address on “Wool Classing.”'

POVERTY BAY

-Arrangements for field day at the experimental farm, Manutuke. Stewards, selected for the A. and P. Show. Final arrangements for dance at Patutahi. Mr. 8. D. Reeves, a member of electoral committee of the N.Z. Meat Board, gave an address on “The Meat Board” and also on “The Wool Board.”

TAUMARUNUI

Ohura ßusiness meeting. Election of delegates to the district committee. Shearing field day postponed owing to bad weather. A social committee was set up. Dance to be held to raise funds for. the club. .

TE KUITI

Otorohanga— Combined meeting ' with the? Paewhenua and Te Anga Clubs. The meeting was addressed by the Dominion organising

secretary, Mr. S. Freeman, on the progress and future of the Y.F.C. movement. Mr. Freeman also exhibited some sound films. WAIKATO Cambridge.— Discussion on the proposed Agricultural High School. Lantern lecture by Mr. Neilsen, Advisory Officer, N.Z. Dairy Board, on “Herd Improvement.” — Newly-formed club. Officers elected: Advisory president, Mr. H. S. Slembridge; chairman, L. Strange; secretary, S. E. Mackinder; treasurer, L. Hooper. Prospects for this club, which is understood to be a revival of the old Te Aroha Club, appear good. A general discussion on future activities, largely based on information and suggestions from the district Y.F.C. secretary, Mr. J. R. Murray, was held. Hinuera— of finance. Nomination of. trustees to operate Post Office Savings Bank account. Lecture by Mr. A. Crabb, local Inspector of Stock, "Common Diseases in Stock.”

— Business meeting. Arrangements for table-tennis. Report on cow-judging competition held by the club in conjunction with the Primary Schools’ Calf Club activities. Okoroire.— Discussion on district competitions, field days, and other activities. Mr. Fitzgerald, Matamata County Engineer, gave demonstrations on the uses and tying of knots. Springdale. by Mr. Palliser, supplementing a previous address, “How to Conduct a Meeting.” Te Awamutu Arrangements for a club dinner. Address by Mr. Whittleston of Ruakura Animal Research Station, on “Milking Machine Maintenance.” ' Te Pahu ßeport on recent meeting of the Waikato District Y.F.C. Committee. Suggestions for district activities to be sent to the district committee. Lantern lecture by Mr. T. E. Rodda, Department of Agriculture, on “Silage-making and Hay-baling.” — Newly-formed club. Officers elected: Advisory president, Mr. W. J. Jefferies; chairman, K. Keith; secretary, D. J. Hall;

treasurer, L. Holt. Mr. Weir gave an address on “Pedigree Dairy Cattle.” The club has good prospects.

WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY

Paengaroa.— Discussion on the proposed Agricultural High School in the South Auckland district. Results of the silage competition for the Doidge Cup: B. Gordon, Pukehina (82 points) 1, H. Walker, Paengaroa (811) 2, C. Butler, Omokoroa (81) 3. Mr. McCarthy, manager of the Bay of Plenty Dairy Association, in addressing the meeting on “Feed Flavours in Cream,” stressed the necessity for cleanliness in the milking shed, and described the process in the factory. Te — Mr. Alan Gordon gave lecture on “Soil Chemistry and the Relation of Bacteria to Plant Life.” Te Puna. Business meeting. Arrangements for future activities.

EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY

Thornton Field day on Mr. A. H. Adams’s property, Thornton. Demonstrations were given in blade shearing (Mr. C. Smith), machine shearing (Mr. W. Arbuckle), stockjudging (Mr. N. Carter). Waimana. Lecture by Mr. H. C. White on “The Type of Pig Required for the Bacon Market.”

AUCKLAND

Clevedon.— Arrangements for a field day at Alton Lodge, Te Kauwhata. Report on recent club dance, which showed profit of £ll 9s. 3d. Remit to district committee suggesting that arrangements be made for North and South Island clubs to interchange visits during the winter. Two new members enrolled. Debate between the Farmers’ Union and the club. Subject, “That Freehold Farming is Preferable to Lease-hold.” Speakers: Farmers’ Union (affirmative), A. Allen, D. Renton, and G. Walsh; Y.F.C. (negative), F. Aitchison, A. Smith, and A. Blundell. The club team won by a narrow margin. East Tamaki.— evening was spent in donating blood for the Auckland Hospital blood bank, experts from the St. John Ambulance and the Auckland Hospital carrying out the work. Satisfaction at the 21 pints of blood obtained was expressed by the doctor in charge, and the donors were thanked for their assistance. Harrisville.— Dance arrangements finalised. Invitation accepted for members to attend a lecture by Mr. Clark on "Pig Husbandry.” Address on “Road Making” by Mr. A. C. Bettany, Franklin County Council engineer. Karaka. Newly-formed club. Officers elected: Advisory president, Mr. A. Vickers; chairman, Austin Walters; secretary, James H. Bothwell; treasurer, Basil Carpenter. Pukekohe — Address by Mr. H. R. Denize, Principal District Inspector, Livestock Division, Department of Agriculture, on "Animal Husbandry.”

NORTH AUCKLAND

Kaukapakapa. on Y.F.C. Memorial. Members favoured co-operation with local committees in a district memorial. . Secretary to obtain an opinion from the district committee on the use of sewage for agricultural purposes, following a letter from the Auckland and Suburban Drainage League. Request from the Waitemata Combined • Calf Show authorities for the club to appoint three assistant stewards for Show Day. Addresses were given on life in the Mediterranean and Pacific by Messrs. S. McGuire and F. Henley respectively. CUBIC OR SOLID MEASURE 1,728 cub. in. (12in. x 12in. x 12in.) = 1 cub. ft. 27 cub. ft. (3ft. x 3ft. x 3ft.) = 1 cub. yd. 40 cub. ft. = 1 ton for shipping purposes.

Wairoa Fat Lamb Competition

THE Wairoa Young Farmers’ Club’s second annual fat lamb competition was held at Messrs. Swifts (N.Z.) Ltd. Freezing Works, Wairoa, on November 22. Entries,, which this year were open to land girls, showed an increase of nine pens over last year, 31 pens of lambs, including four from the land girls, being yarded. The whole entry was favourably commented on by the judges, who considered that the lambs generally were of a very high standard taking into account the weather. / The judges were as follows: “On the hoof,” Mr. Robinson. "On the hooks,” Mr. J. Barr (Government Supervising Grader) and Mr. Jackson, of Gisborne. Results were:— “On the hoof”: H. Gray 1, E. Brownlie 2, R. Watson 3. Special prize for land girls, Miss P. Horne. “On the hooks”: R. Watson 1, G. Chapman 2, H. Gray 3. Special prize for land girls, Miss P. Horne. . The prize. money was donated by Messrs. M. B. Delatour, E. Brownlie, Torbett, ,C. 0. McKay, H. Bayley, M. Andrew, J. De Gruchy, T. G. Glenny, F. Mardon, N. Walker, F. L. Joblin, J. S. Patterson, and D. Vickers. Messrs. Swifts provided lunch and afternoon tea and the day closed with the presentation of prizes. A. P. RICHMOND, Hon. Secretary, . Wairoa Y.F.C.

Y.F.C. BADGE COMPETITION

A DECISION to supply special badges for the Y.F.C. Dominion president, the vice-presi-dent, and past presidents has been made. As the badges will be worn on all possible occasions, the designs must be attractive. For this reason active members are asked to submit designs for all three badges. Prizes of £1 Is. will be awarded for each selected design. Remember, competitors need to submit designs for all three badges, but the designs will be judged separately Dominion president, vice-president, and past president. A competitor may win £1 Is. with one of the three designs, £2 2s. if two of his designs are approved, or £3 3s. if all his designs are selected. Designs should be drawn to the exact size intended, and competitors should post their entries to the Organising Secretary, Young Farmers’ Clubs, Box 112, Palmerston North, no later than February 25, 1946.