CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 152, 26 April 1940, Page 8

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY Y.F.C. DISTRICT COMMITTEE At the annual meeting of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Young Farmers' Clubs District Committee held at Waimana, on Monday, the Chairman, Mr W. A. McCracken, report- 1 ed as follows: — Club Membership. Generally speaking, the membership of all Clubs has been well sustained and in some instances, notably in the caisc of Taneatua and Opotiki Clubs, it has somewhat in-» creased. Whilst congratulating clubs on this achievement I would, however, like to remind them that there is still much scope for further de-< velopmcnt in this direction. In my report of last: year I stated that in my opinion the strength of the Y.F.C movement depended upon the enrolment of all young men in rural districts. During the past 12 months I have had no cause to revise that opinion; on the contrary I am majre than ever convinced that no young man can afford to be a mere onlooker if he values his future career and no Club should be satisfied , while he is outside the movement. During this coming year,, and especially in view of the difficult times through which we shall all be passing, it is my sincere hope tlrait; young farmers of all districts willj both individually and through their Club life, do everything possible to ; assist their country in its hour of need, whether at home or abroad, and so by their conduct set an example that others may follow. Thus is presented a major opportunity to members to show their appreciation for what has been done for tSrem and I am sure that none will be found wanting. General Activities. As in the past, Clubs have been instrumental in providing much useful instruction and entertainment for members. Field and adjdresses on a variety of subjects have considerably helped to broaden the general knowledge of members, while dances, socials and sports events have provided for their entertainment. In addition the following features were arranged for Club members: 1. During the year an interesting series of Inter-Club debates was held for the purpose of selecting a team to represent this district in Uhe Shield contest with representatives from the Western Bay of Plenty. In the final debate which was held at Paengaroa between the premier teams of the two Y.F.C. districts the Waimana Club succeeded in win ning the contest by a narrow margin. These contests are still proving very popular with a number of members in each Club, but one would like to see all members taking a more active part in them. Debating is, in my opinion, one of the most important activities of club life for it not only creates confidence in th-e individual and greatly adds to his general fund of knowledge but/ it also encourages him to think and express himself in a reasoned and concise manner. 2. It will be recalled that last year your committee was able toi' arrange two Inter-District Stock Judging Championships, namely, a Dailry Cow competition and a Bac-> oner Pig competition. This year, however, it was found impracticable to carry on with these annual events during the period of the Summer Shows and so tentative arrangements were made to hold the championships in connection with the forthcoming Rotorua Winter Show. At the Whakatane A. and P. Show held in February, a Dairy Cow Judg ing competition for individual Club members Avas arranged as usual, some 19 members taking part. The first prize of £1 Is went to Mr D. Woolfield of Waimana, and the second prize of 10s Gd was won by Mr W. Garlick of the Taneatua Club. I regret to saj r , however, that the standard of judging this year was relatively low in comparison with other years and indicates a need for more practice in this important feature of Club activities. I sincerely hope that Clubs will take steps during the current year to afford their members greater opportunities in this directioon. | The thanks of your committee are once again due to tlie Whakatane A. and P. Association for its generosity in making available prize money and facilities. 8. It is with regret that I have to "eport that arrangements made for the Annual Tour had to be cancelled at the last moment owing to lack >f support. Some members how eve r who particularly wanted to go on

tour were able tp do so by joining in with the party from Western Bay of Plenty. This tour embraced visits to points of interest in North Auckland and from all accounts a most enjoyable time was spent in tihat district. Visit of North Auckland Y.F.C., Party. On the occasion of the visit of the Y.F.C. touring party from North Auckland still another opportunity was granted your committee of returning some of the hospitality so frcel3 r shown our local members whilst on tour during the past few years. The party arrived in Whakatane from Tauranga too late to arrange an official welcome at that time but it was met by the District Secretary who showed members to their respective hotels. The following morning an opportunity was seized of viewing from Hillcrest as much as possible of the local sights and after this the Paper Mills were visited. Lunch was provided at Edgecumbc. During the afternoon visits were made to the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Company's Factory and also the piggery controlled by that company. Here the official welcome was extended to the visitors by Mr lan Gow who also spoke of the pig- 1 gcry's operations. Afternoon tea provided by Mrs McCracken her home in Edgecnmbe was the next item on the programme and following this a short period of community singing was indulged in. Mr Gow then gave a most interesting resume of the development of the Rangitaiki Plains and at Its conclusion the visitors set out once more upon a further stage of their journey. Y.FC. District Courts Etc. During the year the Auckland Y.F.C. Council was instrumental in inaugurating a Y.F.C. District Courts Competition at the Waikato Winter Show. Four districts took part in this event, namely, Waikato, Rotorua, King Country and Bay of Plenty. For the purpose of the competition your committee decided it was too big an undertaking from this district to arrange a purely local entry, and so it combined with the Western district to make the one exhibit. Even then a large amount of work and organisation was involved both in collecting the material and setting it up. The result of the competition was as follows: Rotorua 1, King Gountrj' 2, Bay of Plenty 'i, Waikato 4. Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. Ltd. generously donated a handsome Shield lor the purpose of this competition. A demonstration Court was also arranged for at the Whakatane Winter Show and this was veiy favourI ably commented upon. Auckland Provincial Council. Five meetings of this body have been held during the year and your committee has been represented at three of them. On the other two occasions meetings were held at Whangarei instead of Hamilton and consequently distance and expense precluded local attendance. At all there have been valuable discussions on a variety of topics concerning the interests of the Y.F.C Movement and much good work has resulted therefrom. Moreover the contacts made by your delegates rtt such gatherings have been most beneficial both to the individual and to the Movement generally. I sincerely trust that this District Committee will continue to send delegates to the Auckland Provincial Council and thereby weld together all members and Clubs in a brotherhood of common purpose and muU ual understanding. General. At the conclusion of a year that has seen much accomplished although, perhaps, not as much as we would have liked, your committee wishes to extend to Clubs its con-' gratulations on their progress. To Club office bearers, especially the Secretaries on whose shoulders a great deal of the responsibility of Club organisation falls, a special measure of praise is due for the excellent manner in which they have conducted the affairs of their Clubs. To all supporters of the Y.F.C. Movement in this district your committee also desires to express it,s wannest thanks. In conclusion I sincerely hope that the ensuing year with all its probable difficulties resulting from the anxious period through which we are passing will at least be as successful as the one just closed. The fulfilment of such a hope, however. is largely dependent upon the young farmers themselves but I aim, sure that each and every member will use his utmost endeavours to see that the organisation that has lone so much for him will not sufi fer through his neglect of it during he trying da}'S ahead.