MATAMATA JERSEY OAKS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 298, 25 July 1929, Page 6

MATAMATA JERSEY OAKS.

COMPETITION DECIDED ON Prize Worth Winning. j In proposing the foundation of a ; Jersey Oaks competition at the ' meeting of the Jersey Breeders’ j Club at Tirau, Mr. Barker, Gordon, ' stated he thought the time was now opportune for such a competition, as there were a lot of breeders in the district, and it was the most import- j ant class of a show. Mr. Lewis stated animals would j have to be nominated as calves and j were judged on type and performances as a three-ye.ar-old. So many points up to 50 were given for performance and the balance for type. Mr. Barford seconded the proposal, which was carried unanimously. The following conditions were then drawn up:—That the closing date for entries be June SO, 1930, or that of the Waikato Oaks should their date differ. That nomination fees be ss; calves to be nominated any time up to 12 months. s It was decided to leave the second nomination and acceptance fees till a later date in order to get further particulars from other clubs. Mr. Garland stated that he thought three milkings a day should be barred, as those milking twice a day couljl not compete with any hope of success. j

Mr. Lewis held that as the Government test allowed three milkings a day he did not think they could interfere on that point. Mr. Peffers thought they could j make it a local rule. 1 Mr. Vosper urged that it would be I better to get information on various points from other clubs. The chairman agreed, stating he j thought members were generally opI posed to three milkings a day. Three i milkings a day undoubtedly meant 1 increased production, but to milk a heifer at 4 a.m., 12 noon and 8 p.m. was to become a slave to the work, and should not be encouraged. I Mr. Barford agreed with these views, but pointed out many breed- | ers paid big sums for stock and i milked them three times a day. If twice a day was adopted these men would be barred from competing. Mr. Rose thought the Oaks was a competition worth winning. It was like racing and should be open to all New' Zealand. It was an honour to win and for lovers of stock. If a man liked to sit up all night and milk three times a day to achieve the prize, he did not think they should bar him. If they hedged the Oaks round with rules and regulations it would "make the prize not worth winning. It ' should, in his ; opinion, be open to the whole of New Zealand and made an honour worth while. Mr. Peffers pointed out that the prize money came from the nominations and acceptances, and if these were low the prize would n„t be verv bisr. I

The meeting then decided to leave the matter of milking to the individual.

Mr. Lewis stated that the total prize money for the Hawera Oaks was £515 odd.

Mr. Barford pointed out that by having a low nomination fee more calves would be entered, and therefore more tested, which would he a very good thing. Mr. Lewis also pointed out that bv getting more tested they might induce the Government to reduce the testing fee, as £8 8s was fairly high. He appealed to members to support the Oaks to the best of their ability. The colour of dairy cows was changing fast in the Waikato and he hoped that even the smallest members would enter at least one animal each. Five shillings was not much and he hoped they would rally round and support the first Matamata Oaks.