MANAIA FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 July 1924, Page 8

MANAIA FARMERS’ UNION.

PRIZE-GIVING SOCIAL, A large gathering of members-of the Manaia branch of the Farmers’ Union and other interested residents of the district, assembled in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Manaia, on Friday evening on the occasion of the branch’s annual prize-giving social. The evening’s entertainment opened with a much appreciated programme of solo items, including several provided by juvenile artists, whose well-rendered contributions met with special approbation. The presentation of prizes awarded in the branch cattle show and crops competitions followed, after which supper was served by a committee of ladies, the remainder of the evening being devoted to a well-balanced programme of dances.

Mr. B." G. Betts presided, and in a few opening remarks expressed appreciation of the good attendance at the function, and expressed the hope that the interest thus evinced iit the affairs of the union would in future be shown by many more farmers of the- district. He presented apologies-for absence received from Messrs. R. Dunn, J. W. Deem, A. J. Glasson and G. H. Buckeridge.

In presenting the prizes donated by the branch to the Manaia entrants in the Boys’ and Girl©’ Clubs competitions, Mr. J.. Dakers (branch secretary) explained that under the club scheme the various schools wete classified into groups, the placed exhibits in each school being judged for the group prizes. There .being group prizes only, it necessarily followed that only the pick of the exhibits frjom the schools in the respective group® received an award. In order to encourage the children to continue their interest in the work, the branch had decided to- sup)pleih l ent the group prizes by donating .prizes to 'the. placed competitors in the Manaia; s6ho<jl competition, and .the sum of £4 6s had been donated for the purpose He presented the prizes as follow: N. Leppard, Ist yearling Friesian, Ist best, reared calf ; TheM'a- Leppard, Ist Friesian . calf; R. Sahdfprd, let ygkr? ling Jersey; Giddy’s Shtfidford, . Ist dairy calf, . 2nd, '-<Salf,p,dl4 ra: Rothery, 2nd 'dairy calf,; 3rd best reared: calf : Gertie Rothery, 2nd Jbest reared calf - 3rd dspry ; ci^lf; Edna Dakers, Ist cfirrptis-;"Willie Dakers, Ist mangolds ; Robert 2nd' inangolds. • .Mr. Dakers also’, jjfesented the 'prizes, awarded in the branch crop competitions.'' ... He;; refprftp ’ the marked,; impfoveniehf, in .both qttaiity and numbers of exhibits since' the . in-: eeption of the. .ebhipetitiolis, and appealed for a continued and j if possible, added inter-est in’ them nest .year: Speaking df the lucernfi, crops, explained that the .judge’s pointy; were awarded principally for' quality, 'and cultivation, but an endeavour'Would be made ; next year to induce' the qudge to .attach gi'eater. importance to the weight of the crop". The prizes won at the branch cattle show . were .. presented, .by .Mr. .. R. G. Muggeridge (show secretary), who said that, in-the- opinion of- thee judges, the quality of the . stock exhibited in the. Manaia show reflected .much'credit on the farmers of .the-.:.district. He referred to the useful purpose served by the parochial competitiops and demonstrations in giving - dairymen the opportunity of studying the opinions of experts; regarding the dairy,types to ; .be sought -after-. On behalf of ; the branqh He wished, to congratulate the winning, exhibitors on - their - success, ,and' thanked all competitors for the encouraging support .accorded the . local show, and- hoped,.Hfat .increasing support. would he .given on. future occasions. He had to especially complii ment Mi%~ S. „ J..- Bpnnett; who had been awarded the gold medal donated as a points prize,■ .and also. Mr. D. P. F, Malone-’e and Mr. J. J. Patterson's special prizes. On the conclusion of the prize presentation, sbme interesting' speeches were delivered by members. . , •Mri S,. j. Bennett, after'referring to the value of the district shows in proyidtng :ah incentive’" .for better breeding: arid consequently hdtter produetion, skid that, some of the South Taranaki herds were producing a season average of 3001bs of butter-fat per This showed, a pleasing comparison with the Dominion average of 170. to 180 lbs, but- unfortunately was not maintained throughout the whole district.. Last season the TKaupbkoiiui Dairy Company, had received 2,529,840 lbs from 10,929 cows, the average being 231 lbs. At Is per lb the total supply realised £126'492. He pointed out that if the average production per cow could he increased to 3001bs, the total mentioned would be augmented by over £37,000. and urged that dairymen of the district should aim at achieving that very desirable result. Me also stressed the necessity for strengthening the union and making it a hiliy _ representative body, thus enabling it to wield an adequate influence on matters’ affecting the interests of primary, producers. Referring again to the branch cattle- shows, Mr: Bennett said he wished to make special mention of the enthusiasm shown bv Ml ’\ P ; F- Malone, who, brought his exhibits from a considerable distance in congratulating Mr. Malone, the speaker said he would like to eee many other farmers of the district followin'"the example set by Air. Malone in his enthusiastic support of the branch activities.

Mr. M. J. Berry spoke regarding the value ol testmg and of exercising careul discrimination in breeding, st-atino-that the work of checking thefindividual production and noting the outcome of breeding in accordance with recognised plans would not only be attended with highly beneficial results, hut would also render the dairyman’s work exceedingly interesting. Mr. ]>. P. F. Malone agreed with the previous speaker concerning the value or testing as a means of ascerailung‘winch beasts gave an adequate return and winch did not. There could be no doubt that the study of iciest mg. The performance of a breeding proved both profitable and inbeast s antecedents could not, howin Pl \ be . rcll ed upon to be repeated. J l ustrating tins, he instanced cases where cows with showin" only average production had. under proper treatment, developed into excellent producers, and of cows showing high producing strains who had not reached .the standard. The rule to be observed was to. give the beast cieiy opportunity of developing. [j, congratulating the Manaia. branch on its activities in connection with the cattle sl)pw and the other competitions, Mr. Malone said the utmost courtesy had always been extended to him, and whether his exhibits were successful or not. it was a pleasure to be associated with them.

'Jhe following contributed items to Uie concert programme:—Audrey and Trevor Betts (pianoforte duet), Cyril Betts (recitations and songs), Mr. Forrester (songs and recitations), Ber J D. Smith (songs). The Misses Lilian Berry and Clorine Duncan danced the Sailors’ Hornpipe. Miss Berry also dancing an Irish jig, the pianoforte

accompaniments being rendered 'by Miss'K. Cosgrove. On the motion of the chairman, a vote of thanks ha appreciation of the entertainment provided was carried by acclamation.

For the excellent supper arrangements thanks are due to the ladies committee, including Mesdames C Jones, El. G. Betts, E. J. Betts, J.’ Dakers, IT. Lord, A. Gainlin, S. Greenhill and the Misses R. Clague, L Clagiie and N. Hunt, while for the successful organisation of the- -social, credit is due to the committees directed by the lion, secretary, Mr J Dakers.