ROMNEY MARSH BREEDERS

Levin Daily Chronicle, 2 November 1918, Page 1

ROMNEY MARSH BREEDERS

SPECIAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION.

• A meeting of the Eomney Marsli Breeders' Association was held last night, Mr A. Matthews presiding over about 30 members.

The business was to discuss the two following motions: —Moved by Mr Alfred Matthews: That the N.Z.E.M. Flock Book bo opened for the admission for registration of unregistered purebred Romney Flocks,, provided that no unregistered sheep shall be_.cligible for entry in the Flock Book unless their histories show an uninterrupted use of pure Romney Sires since Ist of January, 1895, and unless the owners of such flocks can prove to the satisfaction of the Council of the Association that the ewes at that date were admittedly pure, and that single entry rams only have been used in the flock since 1915. Owners on making their entries shall furnish the Council with a history of their flock, stating: (a) How long they have possessed the said flock; (b) from whom the flock was originally obtained; (c) the number of ewes originally purchased and what number of ewes were bred from during the last season; (d) what additions have been made to the flock from time to time from other flocks; (e) the breeding of all rams that have been used in the flock; (f) whether any ram of any other breed than that for which the entry is sought has been used in the flock since it has been in the present owner's possession. No unregistered flock will be eligible for entry in the Flock Book unless passed by the Council after receiving the report of the Inspectors of the Association appointed to inspect it, and extra entrance fees charged. The motion was seconded by Mr W. Perry. A great deal of discussion ensued, and there were many speakers. Mr W. F. Jacobs when speaking to the motion said that it was not proper to put such a thing to the meeting as he, speaking plainly, would say that it was being worked for the benefit of the Bidwill family, who had 2800. ewes they wished to get in the Stud Book prior to offering them for sale, and this would mean some thousands of pounds in their pockets. Mr J. E. Hewett suggested that as the question was of such vital importance to breeders, and as the strength of the Association was about 400 and only 30 were present, it should not be gone on with. As an-amendment he put forward the following: "That the motion should be put to the Association that all members bo given an opportunity to vote by correspondence." This was seconded by Mr E. Whitcombe and carried.

It was moved that the words '' and that single entry rams only have been used in the flock since 1915," be deleted and this was eventually carried on a show of hands.

Mr J. E. Hewitt moved, "That an entrance fee of one pound be payable on all ewes entered in the Flock Book from the unregistered Romney flocks desiring to enter." After lengthy argument it was finally decided that the amount of entrance fee be reduced to 10s and that the motion should be also put to the full Association as in the former case.

It was decidcd to hold the next an nual ram salo at Feilding in February 1919.