THAMES VALLEY JERSEY BREEDERS CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4309, 26 August 1921, Page 3

THAMES VALLEY JERSEY BREEDERS CLUB.

- • — quarterly meeting. A meeting cf the Thames Valley Jers.ey Breeders’ Club was held in the County Chambers on Thursday. Mi- W. J. Hall, president, occupied the chair, and there was. a good attend-

ance of members. Four, new members were elected.

It was decided to ask th,e Hauraki A. and P. Association to add three additional classes in the pedigree Jersey section, viz.: (1) Bull calf, calved since July 1, 1921 ; (2) heifer calf, calved since July 1, 1921; and (3) heifer, calved since July 1, 1918, in mil'k.

Ijt was decided to make a donation io the Hauraki A. and P. Association for the forthcoming show, and the members of the committee have been asked to make a personal canvass and to report at a meeting to be held in a month’s time.

The secretary was instructed towrite to the Committee of the different schools in the surrounding districts advising them that the Jersey Club' suggested holding demonstrations for the benefit of children in various districts, and requesting them" to confer with the secretary re approval and arranging of dates. It was .decided that three demonstrations be held in the near future, the first nt Mr Halle’ farm,. Matatoki, the second at Mi- E. J. Walters’ farm, Hikutaia, and the third at Paeroa, probably in the domain, or at Mr G. Buchanan’s farm.

. A letter was read from the Stratford Jersey Breeders’ Association, in reply to one sent from this branch inquiring for information, as follows : “In answer 'to your letter of the 27th inst. I have pleasure in enclosing copy of the rules of the Stratford branch of the N.Z. Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association. You will notice that the subscription has been raised from 7s 6d to 15s per member per annum. Another rule adopted recently is to allow members under 21 years of age £o pay half subscription rates and returned soldiers two years free of subscription. In connexion with the workings of the branch, the most important function during the year is the “Held day,” when the association’s official demonstrator, M’’ H. E. B. Watson, demonstrates on a number of Jersey cows and bulls. We hold this in different parts of the district each year, on one of the member’s farms: luncheon is provided, either out of the funds or on a small levy being made. The demonstration being on a breeder’s farm gives it a social aspect which greatly adds to •the enjoyment of. the occasion. We make a point of" inviting the agricultural instructor of the local school, and such pupils as he thinks fit, for the services of the official demonstrator apply to .the parent body. Meetings of members are held more frequently than is implied in i;ule 18. Six were held last year. At jthese meetings" we .usually endeavour to have a paper read by some wellknown local oi’ visiting, breeder bn Subjects of interest to the breed and farmers generally. Discussions at these meetings are encouraged as much as possible, and are a good means of keeping active the interest of members. Two or three lectures are arranged during the year under the branch’s auspices, .when the public are invited to attend. These’ are given by the Government veterinary surgeon oji any disease that may l;e prevalent, or on the general treatment of stock, etc., or by an authority

on any subject of interest. On the evening of the annual meeting we hold a smoke . conceit. Besides speeches and vocal items a short paper is read on' any subject decided upon, and given by one wel’known for his knowledge oil. the subject. We find social functions of this nature a splendid medium for keeping members interested, especially sb when short papers of discussion areinterwoven in the programme. I would suggest that you send as much copy, of business and discussions at meetings to the local paper as possible, this being the cheapest and best means of advertising the breed and branch. With congratulations on your decision to form a branch and best wishes for your success.” Mr N. E. B. Watson, the Jersey Breeders’ official demonstrator, in re-

ply to a letter inviting him to judge

the Jersey cattle at the forthcoming ' show, stated that it would be a pleasure to come to Paeroa and judge the Jerseys, and also give a demonstration as desired after the judging. *' I have- advocated this at every demonstration I have given. My own opinion is that we let our judges off too lightly at our shows. Shows are educational, if anything, and unless the judge is able and willing to demonstrate his reasons on all placed animals then showing’ must develop into nothing short of a farce.”