JERSEY BREEDERS’ CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4588, 20 July 1923, Page 4

JERSEY BREEDERS’ CLUB

THAMES VALLEY BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Thames Valley Jersey Breeders’ Club was held in the N.Z. Dairy Company’s Board Room on Wednesday. last. The president, Mr E. J. Walters, occupied the chair,,, and the following were al,so present: Messrs M. Crimmins, J. Morrison, F. A- Kneebone, K. J. Harris, B. E. Veale,, J. K. Dean, and the secretary, Mr J.lrwin. An apology for unavoidable absence was received from Mr G Buchanan. REPORT. The annual report was read as follows :— I have much peasure in presenting the annual report, which shows that the club’s finances, although not affluent,| are a.t least sound. However, I wish to impress upon members, the necessity of paying their subscriptijns promptly at the beginning of the year, thereby relieving the secretary of a considerable amount of trouble. At present the membership is 37. ' •

Finance.—During the past year the club has received £ll 10s in membership fees, £l4 10s in donations from members,, and £5 from the N.Z. Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association as subsidy on members’ fees received last year.

We have handed over to the two local shows £l9 4s during the year, as donations towards their prize funds for Jersey classes, and .start the new year practically,Tree of debt and with an accumulated fund of £3 6s.

Meeting Hall.—ln the past we have been indebted to the Soldiers’ Club for the use of their hall for meeting purposes at a nominal fee, but at present we have free use of the board room of .the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., Paeroa/ to which company the thanks of our club are due.

Judges List. —The following deci-, sion of the parent body is appreciated by members of. this club : “That in future judges" may only ue approved by the Council after they have been nominated by clubs,, ahd have demonstrated their ability to judge to the satisfaction of a board of three examiners, appdinted for the purpose by the clubs in their particular districts.’’ ' '

In this connection we have, in conjunction with t,he other clubs in the South Auckland district, elected *-he following as a Board of Examiners ’ Messrs A. E. Missen, F. E, Day, and W. J. Hall, and an examination was held recently at Paeroa at which several members submitted themselves. Demonstration. — A demonstration on Jersey cattle, held recently at Paeroa by Messrs Missea, Day, and Hall, was fairly well attended by members and the public, and was greatly appreciated. I would, however,, bd pleased to see members roll up in greater force to similar demonstrations, as such are of very great benefit to breeders, and their appearance in large numbers would be gratifying to the gentlemen who so willingly lend their services gratis.

In the above connection I wish o mark the Club’s appreciation of Mr H. E. B. Watson’s services iu the past, and regret that through ill-health he has had to relinquish his position as official demonstrator to the N.Z. Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association. Pedigree Sale. —It was resolved to hold a pedigree Jersey sale at Paeroa towards the end of September in the yards of the Hauraki A. and P. Association. Arrangements are now being made in this direction. '

Importing Bull. I —Undoubtedly the most important decision arrived at. by this club during the past year was to secure, if possible from Jersey Island, a young Jersey bull of outstanding merit as a butter-fat producer for service among the cattle of subscribers who are. members of oui’ .club, and failing one from the Island to endeavour to secure one elsewhere. To this end the secretary wrote to Jersey Island in February last, but has not yet received a reply. The above decision was emanated by a • desire on our part to leave no stone unturned in improving the standard of cattle in our district. It is generally conceded that dairy farmers and breeders generally in New Zealand should- aim at improving the standard of their herds in order to cope with other countries, and it is incumbent on them to use only the best bulls procurable to this end. Conclusion. —In conclusion I 1 wish to point out that it must be gratifying to members of this club, and to Jersey breeders in New Zealand generally, to note that the breed is more than holding its own in the. matter of.. butter-fat records, and that the demand for Jersey cattle is in no way abating—as evidenced by prices realised at recent sales all over the country—and I exhort you all to continue to foster the and to use every legitimate effort, to further the popularity of the Jersey breed in your respective districts. When we first met to consider the inauguration of this club we were told we had met to “boost” the Jersey along. This is a term I object t.oThe term seems to imply that we desire to over estimate or over praise our breed : this is not so. it needs no “boost”; jt advances on its own merits, sheer quality and true value are its outstanding qualifies, and on these it will continue to advance. The Club’s best thanks are due th the proprietor and staff of the Hauraki Plains “Gazette” for their helpand support in furthering the interests of the club at all times. The: doings of the various meetings and/ activities of the club have alwaysbeen accurately and fully reported,/ and by this means a great deal of: prominence and help has been given.. in assisting to bring the Jersey breed, prominently before the public. PEDIGREE JERSEY SALE. The Farmers’. Co-op. Auctioneering Co. wrote offering its services as auctioneers to the Club at its forthcoming pedigree Jersey cattle sale m_ September, and offering to send a; representative to meet the club and? arrange details.

USE OF SALEYARDS. The secretary of the Hauraki A. j and P. Association advised that the association was quite prepared to •,il- I low the free use of the stock pens in which to hold a pedigree stock sate during September next,; provided the j date arranged did not dash with any j of the Farmers’ Auctioneering Co’s, sales. JERSEY BREEDERS! CLUBS. The secretary of the N.Z. Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association, Palmerston North, wrote advising that Jersey breeders’ clubs had been formed at Hamilton, Morrinsville, Matamata, Te Arolia, Paterangi, Paeroa, Cambridge, and Tauranga. The heal council also advised that a board of examiners could be appointed by the joint district club for any 'length of time which might be decided on. JERSEY DEMONSTRATORS. The N.Z. Jersey Cattle Breeders' Association wrote asking the club to nominate any persons who might be considered' competent to act as demonstrators in this district. It was pointed out that this step had been rendered necessary owing to the resignation of Mr H. E. B. Watson as official demonstrator. After due discussion Messrs E. JWalters, W. J. Hall, and G. Buchanan were appointed. Mr Walters, in returning thanks, said he considered that, his appointment was an honour conferred on him. He was willing to go anywhere to assist in furthering the interests of Jersey cattle, .provided that his methods of. demonstrating were approved of and mfet with.general satisfaction. Mr Walters said he would not. claim expenses, because the gppdfellowship met with at the differem centres from the Jersey breeders’ clubs was ample recompense. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President—ln nominating Mr Walters for a further term as president.. M- Harris said he thought that the Club could not do better than ask M:- Walters to stand again. Mr Walters said he was of the opinion that the position was one that should go round. He thanked M>' Harris for his. kind references to his services, but he did not think it was in the best interests pf the Club that he should accept nomination. Fresh blood and fresh ideas were necessary for the success of any institution. Therefore he had great pleasure in proposing Mr G. Buchanan as president for the-ensuing year. Mr M. Crimmins. seconded, and the motion was carried.

Secretary.—ln accepting the resignation of the secretary and treasurer (Mr J. Irwin) Mr W.alt.ers said that he was sure the Club was genuinely scry that it was losing Ins services, and his departure frpm the district, as well as the club, was a' distinct loss. He said that Mr Irwin had been an ideal secretary, and ne thought that his valuable services to the Club should be recorded. He trusted that Mr Irwin would prosper in his new sphere, and he could rely on a warm welcome when he could see his way to attend any meetings of the Club. Mi- Crim'mins also spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Irwin’s services. Mr J. K. Dean was elected secretary and treasurer on the motion of M ’ Crimmins, seconded by Mr Morrison. NEW MEMBERS. Messrs G. T. Davidson, of Ngatea, and M. J. Thomas,, of Hikutaia, were elected new members bf the Club.