JERSEY BREEDERS’ CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4719, 2 July 1924, Page 2

JERSEY BREEDERS’ CLUB

e ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Thames Valley Jersey Breeders’ Club was held in the Dairy Company’s boardroom on Monday afternoon. The president, Mr G. Buchanan, presided over the following: Messrs B. E. Veale, W. J. Hall, E. J. Walters, and H. J. Harris Mr H. D. Jamieson, Kerepeehi, was elected secretary for the meeting, his seat. Owing to the absence of Mr J, K. Dean (secretary), Mr Walters was eletced secretary for the meeting. The balance-sheet disclosed a debit balance of 6s 2d, which would be reduced when outstanding subscriptions were collected. The president stated that an annual report had not been prepared, but he would like to state that the work done during the year had been highly satisfactory, The first sale of pedigree stock held by the club should be considered successful, compared witn other pedigree sales in the Auckland province. Sixty-six animals had been submitted to auction, and the majority had been quitted at satisfactory prices. He was of the opinion that the club had made a mistake in fixing a limit to commence the bids, as this might have had a tendency to frighten buyers away. The speaker said he was in favour of holding another sale, especially in view of the fact that the Thames Valley was thoroughly representative of every branch of the butter-fat producing Jersey sires in the Dominion. He contended that pedigree stock of cutstandlng quality could be purchased cheaper in the valley, and the club's sale should be pushed to the utmost. During the year, Mr Buchanan continued. the chib had been negotiating for the purchase of a Jersey bull of outstanding merit direct from Jersey, but so far a transaction had not been made. A deputation from the chib had also visited Palmerston North and attended a sale of Jerseys, with authority from the members to purchase, but the price of the animals had been too high. New blood would be an asset to the district, and the club would import direct from the Islands as soon as a suitable animal was offering.

Mr Buchanan said that members were enthusiastic and in np way lacking in courage. He proceeded to instance the new blood that had been brought into the district curing the year, and quoted Mr Hall as having imported a bull, Rower’s Beautiful Prince, direct from the United States, which animal had taken a first and reserve championship at the Auckland Spring Show two days after being released from quarantine. Several other bulls of high quality butter-fat backing had also been purchased, notabiy Mr Walters’ Maid’s Egyptian General, Mr' Kneebone's descendant of Eminent Fontaine, Mr M. Crimmins’ recent purchase of a bull from Mr Denner’s famous herd, Mr Harris’ Alfalfa Bush Fern, Mr Veale’s bull of K.C.B, stain out of a cow putting up over 6001 b of butter-fat, the .speaker’s own purchase of Fairy Meadow’s Prince, which was out of a cow giving between 7001 b and 8001 b of butter-fat. There were others which he could not call to mind at the moment. Such mpprtations went to prove that there should be no necessity for buyers to go beyond the Thames Valley for pedigree stock while there were the Twylish, K.C.8., and Eminent Fontain strains in the district. The best Jersey blood in the Dominion was to be found in the district, and it was a matte; for congratulation that tlie club bad such progressive members, by whose efforts the breed was gaining in popularity and butter-fat production was increasing. In referring to the club’s sale, Mr Buchanan' said that at the rate the breed was progressing he foresaw the possibilities of holding a sale of pedigree females in the future. He favoured the date of the sale being some time in October next, owing to the setback .some of tlie settlers have been called on to face through floods recently. In conclusion he wished to thank the members for the support accorded hint during his term of office, and he trusted that the ensuing year would see even greater progress made. ANNUAL SALE. Arising out of the discussion about the annual pedigree sale, Mr Veale suggested that it should be conducted at Hikutaia this year. He thought the location would be more central and generally more suited tp buyers. Messrs Walters and Hall concurred. The president said he was prepared to try-out Hikutaia if it was the wisli of tlie members. it was decided that the annual pedigree Jersey sale should be held at Hikutaia about the third week in October, and that the president and secrel'.iry make arrangements with the Farmers’ Auctioneering Co,, Hamilton, and also to undertake the publicity work in connection with the sale. It was agreed that all females offered at the sale should be guaranteed in calf, or the date of the last calving to be stated. Mr Hall intimated that he did not think he would be offering any animals at the club’s sale, as he had now established a connection in Hamilton, and liad, perforce, to dispose of his pedigrees there. He would assist along the Hikutaia sale to the best of his ability and, if practicable, reserve a few head for the sale. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows : President, Mr B. E. Veale ; vicepresident, Mr M, Crimmins; secretary, Mr H, J. Harris ; auditor, Mr W. H. Blake way. The retiring president (Mr G. Buchanan) and secretary (Mr J. K. Dean) were thanked for their services to the club, and it was decided to record the appreciation of their efforts. A LECTURE, On the suggestion of Mr Veale Mr Walters undertook to deliver a lecture dealing with the early history of the famous Jersey cattle that have been registered In the N.Z. Herd Boolf, males only to be dealt with, at the August meeting.