AGRICULTURAL CLUB

Chronicle (Levin), 11 July 1947, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL CLUB

Preparations For Coming Year's Competitions "The farmer is the backbone pf New Zealand," said Mr. G^ S. Stubbs, senior inspector of schools for the Wellington Education Boatd, when speaking to the general meeting of the Horowhenua Boys' and Gii'lSAgricultural ' Club on Wednesday night, He said that he was ve*y pleased to he able to speak 'to a meeting which had such a deep and . moving significance as the agrieultural club. "The finpst service done by any agrieultural club is the great satisfaction gained by a child when looking , after an animal." Mr. Stubbs assured themeeting that the department would assist the club in every way possible. " - Report and Balance Sheet The president, Mr. J. G. Horn, submitted the annual report and balance sheet as follows:— "Every department in the first full year pf peace, has shown prog'ressive expansion, and this should - be a matter of gratification to all concerned and interested in the agrieultural education of our young people. "The calf rearing project was again very well supported and continues to maintain its position as the largest of all seetions. The quality of calves and the better dairy type of animal being selected for this competition is very highly commended and leaves no doubt that lessons gained by previous experience in earlier competitions has had a very marked effect, this being noticeable at all schools at the preliminary judging, where on occasions up to three groups, very near equal merit, could have been selected for the final day. The final judging at the Levin Sehool was very successful and competition between school groups was keen. It was also gratifying to see such a large number of competitors keepihg on with their calves as yearlings and two-year-olds, and exhibiting them at the local A. and P. Show. "Pig and Lamb Rearing: Some very good animals have been brought forward in these seetions and the competitors are to be congratulated on the care and attention signified in the rearing of them. Considering that the club's area is predominately a dairying one, the entries in the pig section were a little disappomting. Nevertheless, the committee congratulated those pupils taking part in the competition on their yery fine effort. May we look forward to greater numbers and keener competition in these two efforts.

"The home gardens on the whole were very good, but owing to unfortunate circumstances ; the j udging of this proj ect had ' to be left in the hands of the individual schools. We thank those who carried the competition to a successful conclusion. "We again tender our thanks to the committee of the Levin School for the use of a room for meetings, and also the ground for the final judging. The Wellington Education Board and its officers have given invaluable aid, both financially and in' administration, and we wish to thank them accordingly. Special thanks are due to all our judges and all • those who have given of their valuable time to assist the club." Tfye balance sheet showed a credit of £10 7s 2d. Receipts had been received totalling £54 ls ld. Of this donations totalled £29 ls ld and a grant from the Education Board £25. Expenditure was £62 11s lOd. Medals and ribbons account-. ed for £38 7s lld of this. Election of Officers Before calli'ng for nominations for officers, Mr. Horn intimated that he would not be able to stand again for the position of president. The officers elected were as follows:— Patron; Mr. H. F. McCItme; president: Mr. R. L. Robinson; vice-presidents: Messrs. R. W. 1 Evans and C. H. Arcus; committee:. Messrs. J. G. Horn, F. O. Malcolm and A. E. Jeffrey; secretary: Mr. C. E. Wiseley; auditor: Mr. F. P. Walkley; supervisors: Messrs. R. W. Evans. I. D. Parsons, H. J. Lancaster, J. E. Honore, F. O. Malcolm, W. Ching, D. K. Guy, G. Arcus, D. Hartstonge, J. G. Horn, P. R. Catley, E. J. Watts, E. F. Rolston, W. Jeffrey, S. J. Free, N. White, W. Bond, C. H. W. Brown, R. Horn, G. R. Barnes, K. Spiers, J. K. Duncan, J. E. James, N. Smith, S. Atkins, C. N. Neilson, M. Llayman, F. Gore, A. Hardham, H. H. Shaw, J. Casey, and F. Gore and Mrs. Collins. General Business ! Because of transport difficulties, jMr. Guy asked the meeting if a separate group could not be formed in Ckaki for the schools south of that town. It waS explained that this would mean separation from. the Horowhenua Club, but would facilitate the transport difficulties of the people from ^Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Te Hord. A motion was put to the meeting on this suggestion and lost. Daces for preliminary judging i during- November were then decided as follows: Ohau, 13 h; Manakau, 14th; Waikanae, 17th, 10.30 a.m.; Paraparaumu, 17th, 1,30 p.m.; Otaki, 18th; Muhunoa, 20th, 10.30 a.m.; Te Horo, 20th, 1.30 p.m.; Levin, 21st, 10.30 a.m.; Poroutawhao, 21st, 1.30 p.m.; Koputaroa, 24th; Makerua, 26th, 10.30 a.m.; Shannon, 26th, 1.30 p.m.; Opiki, 27th, 10.30 a.m.; Tokomaru, 27th, 1.30 p.m. The final judging will be at the Levin School grounds on Friday, December 5. All dates are to be confirmed by -ihe fi*tures committee. . Mr. Mayman brought to the notice of the meeting the fact that it was very difficult to get. Maori pupils to take any inter^st in home

gardens. Mr. E. J. Watts corroborated this, but added that in his school a flower and crafts show at the sqme time as the Gompetitions had been very. successful. A reeommencjation that these pupils be incourfLged to the fullest exterit was ppt forward to the committee;. .