MATAMATA CALF CLUB.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 368, 11 December 1930, Page 6

MATAMATA CALF CLUB.

JERSEY BREEDERS’ VIEWS. Credit to School Staff. Referring to the Matamata Calf Club, the chairman of the Matamata Jersey Club stated at the last meeting that the club had donated four prizes for pedigree calves. It was now found that there were only three entries. The matter would have to be dealt with and cleared up. The secretary (Mr. M. E. Gould) said the prizes were offered before the club was formed, and this accounted for any misunderstanding. Mr. Barker thought that if four prizes were given and only three entries were secured then the A. and P. Society collected the fourth prize. Mr. Brookes held that the full money would have to be paid by the Jersey Club, and if a prize was not won it would be held over till next year. Mr. Peffers thought a mistake had been made. Grade Jerseys came from pedigrees, and the money should be handed over irrespective of pedigree or grade. Mr. Vosper disagreed with this view and said he thought the New Zealand Association would look down on the club if it gave prizes for grade stock. They were there to encourage pedigree stock, and he thought the A. and P. Society should not look upon the money as a free gift. The club was quite entitled to impose conditions. Mr. Brookes agreed with this view.

Mr. A. Thirlwall differed, holding that the idea of the club was to encourage children to look after their calves. The prizes were not for type but were for caring for the animal. Mr. Vosper replied that if the prize was to be given for fatness it should be given for Shorthorn classes. Mr. Peffers asked where the children were to get pedigree animals from to enter. Mr. Garland said it was first intended that the animals should be supplied by the club, and would remain the property of the club, to be sold afterwards. Later this was found to be impossible for the first year. Mr. Gould stated that if it had not been for Mr. J. F. Wells and his staff there would have been no calf club to-day. Mr. Edmiston remarked that the rules of the Calf Club were no concern of the Jersey Club. The Jersey Club gave the prize money under certain conditions, and these would have to be fulfilled. Mr. Thirlwall pointed out that the first prize was only 10s 6d, and it would not make or break either club whichever way it went. On the motion of Messrs. Barford and Brookes it was decided to leave the prize money as originally donated.