ROMNEY MARSH BREEDERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1766, 3 June 1913, Page 8

ROMNEY MARSH BREEDERS.

ANNUAL REPORT, . The report to lie presented at. the a 11--nual meeting of the New Zealand Koninry -Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association at i'.umerstbn on June 111 states that the finances are in a must satistuctory conuiuon, anil that it is gratifying to record tlio continued prosperity ol the association, 'i he balance at the bank stands at .£151) Is. Oil., and'lho amount of !)s. (id. is placed on-.fixed deposit, making a total 01 -Mi'T JJs...S(U- At the commencement of the .year ; there vero '.MS registered (locks, which' increased to 'ASI during the past twelve months by the addition of -lit new (locks being admitted after due consideration by tho council. Tho championship shields were presented to the Southland and I'oildiug A. nnd P. Associations, the largo-.number of onirics received at each show proving tho popularity of these trophies with .liotuney breeders. The an.nual uieeling will be asked to allot these trophies to two other associations this year. Tho first annual ram fair hold under. the auspices of the association was inaugurated nt Masterton. and was a great success, 71 stud rams being entered by members. The special prizes given by the association were awarded to Mr. P. Mungavin for two-shear ram, and to Messrs. E. Short nnd G. E. Allen for the shearling runts. The success of (lie experiment compensated for tho small financial loss on the undertaking. It was decided to purchase a memorial shield to perpetuate the memory of the late G. C. Wheeler, one of the founders of the association. A handsome shield has lioen made to the order of the council, which remains tho property of the association for all time, t.ho successful competitor having his name engraved thereon, ami it was decided to present a gold medal to tho winner each year. Mr. 1;. Short was tho fir?t member to win this competition. The question of improved shipping facilities and reduced- freight on sheep to South American ports has teen placed before the shipping companies by tho High Commissioner in London, and correspondence dealing with this subject will bo tabled) at'the annual meeting.

A special.committee has been set lip to revise the li>t of inspectors, and also drawup the conditions umlfr which the work of inspection of ewes shall be carried out. The committee.strongly emphasise the importance of members notifying the secretary of. all impending sMe.% so that arrangements- can be made for the inspection before the sheep leave the vendor's property. Messrs.. D. P. Buchanan, R. Gray, J. W. Harding, J. E. Hewitt, and T. retire from the conncil this year, and ail are eligible for re-election.

The following "notices of motion haTs been given:—

"That twenty members shall form a quorum at all general meetings of the association." —Mr. J. W. Harding.

"It has been considered that, on and after January 1, 1914, the time has arrived when the association should have an annual inspection of all shearling ewes entered in each volume of the Flock Book, similar to that carried out by the Kent or Roinney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association -in England, and that each ewe so passed shall bear the association's tattoo mark K.Z.R.M., and that it bo an instruction to the council to hold over the returns of ewe lambs from tho Flock Book until they have been passed by the inspectors appointed by the association. The work of inspection to be carried out from November Ito February 28. The association to bear two-thirds of the cost of inspection."—Mr. E. Short.