FRANKLIN A. & P. SOCIETY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 156, 17 March 1916, Page 2

FRANKLIN A. & P. SOCIETY

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Franklin A. & P. Society was held last Monday evening in the Society's office at Pukokohe, the members present being Messrs D. R Hamilton (President), J, Wylie, J. Craig, R. Dynes Fulton, C. K. Lawrie, A. P. Daysh, ,T. Roulston, J. Potter, F. Ballard, W. J. D. Sharp, H. Bookett and the secretary (Mr J. M. Baxter). MILKING SHORTHORNS CONTROVERSY. A letter was received from Mr Primrose McConnoll, Director of the Dilworth Institute, in reference to the prizes awarded at tho recent show for pedigre) milking Shorthorns. The catalogue, ho said, clearly statod that the prizes were to be awarded to "Pedigree Milking Shorthorns" and naturally he concluded that tho torm meant cattle which were ontered iu or were accepted for entry in the Herd Books of Pedigree Milking Shorthorns, of which there were two in New Zealand. Otherwise it was ridiculous to make two classes " Pedigree Shorthorns" and "Pedigree Milking Shorthorns " He also suggested that tho judge of the Pedigree Milking Shorthorn Classes should be a milkiug Shorthorn man pure and simplo and should have no connection with beef Shorthorns. The President explained that tho class°s alluded to by Mr McConnell were introduced three years ago when there was no Pedigree Milking Shorthorns Herd Book in tho Dominion. Mr McConnoll and others had in the meantime imported pedigree animals as Shorthorn milkers but tho judge at the show had passed them over taking into account both the beef and milking qualities of other competitors. Mr Roulston contended that Mr McConnell was correct in his argument and that the classes alluded to should be confined ti pedigree milking herds. With such animals everything was subject to milk and in appearance they were naturally unable to compete with other Shorthorns. The President suggested that information should bo socui'od as to the conditions necessary for entry in the Herd Bo de but he pointed out that thero appeared to be a danger of breeding for milking purposes only and with the neglect of other qualit'os of Shorthorns. A member remarked that some of the registered animals belonging to the Dilworth Institute seen at the show had little resemblance to the recognised type of Shorthorns. I Mr Wylie was of opinion that a mistake would be made if everything else in Shorthorns was to be sacrificed for milk. It was decided to refer Mr McConnell's letter to the Schedule Revision Committee and to further arrange for the whole question to be discussed at the next conference of Agricultural Societies. THE RECENT SHOW. The Secretary presented an estimated statement of the finances of the show, wherein it appeared that a profit of £l3O was likely to be recorded for the undertaking. Members were unanimous in congratulating both the President and Secretary on the very successful working of tho show ujainly as a result of the individual efforts of those officials and votes of thanks were accorded to Messrs T Flavell, V. Pape3ch, tho Police, and Stewards for assistance. Complaints were freoly voiced as to short-comings in the luncheon booths aud it was hoped that steps would be taken to compel the successful caterer to improve matters another year. CAPITAL ACCOUNT. The Secretary reported that the cost of the removal of all buildings to the new show-ground and of the erection of new buildings, etc , including the new Home Industries shod, had amounted to £577 14a 7d. —lt was unanimously resolved to forward to Mr J. Routley a letter conveying the Executive's appreciation of his honorary services in acting as architect of tho Homo Industries building. LOOKING AHEAD. On the motion of Mr J. Roulston it was decided that the Executive Committee should meet on tho ground next month to arrange for tree-planting with a view of providing shado-shelter tor tho public attending the shows. A committee was appointed to arrange for the ploughing and levelling of uneven portions of the showring. Owing to complaints of tho overcrowding cf the ordinary midday train from Mercer on People's Day and of the fact that many intending passengers were left behind at Tuakau through inability to get accommodation on the train it was decided to request tho Railway Deportment to arrange for a special train to run on the occasion of future shows from and to Mercer. NEXT YEAR'S SHOW. Friday and Saturday, February '23 rd ancl 21th, were selected as the dates for next year's show. NEW MEMBERS. The following now members were olected, viz. : Messrs C. K, Nelson and C. Roadley (Pukokohe : D. Cameron. C. Linberg, aud J. Allen (Onewhero); S. J. Hills (Wairamarama); W. J. Sutherland Clevedon ; A. J. Wildman (Auckland) and Nicholas (Rama Rama). TIIE OLD SHOW-GROUND. l'tio necessity of disposing of vacant sections on the old showground wis discussed and it was arranged that Messrs Hamilton, Fulton, Wylio and l'ottor should wait on Mr Massey (Prime Miuistor') on tlio occasion of his \isit to tho district

next Monday to urge on liiui the advisability of tlio purchase by the Government of the ground for the erectioi' of workers' dwellings there-