MILKING SHORTHORN ASSOCIATION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 516, 23 March 1920, Page 2

MILKING SHORTHORN ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF N.Z. COUNCIL. FIRST OCCASION IN WAIKATO. .MANY MATTERS DISCUSSED. The li st meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association ever held in the took place at Ruakura was attended bv Messrs A. (president), J. Grant (Woodville), J. Hodges (Wanganui), R. V. Brown (Wevaroa), W. E. Barber (Foxton), E. Law (Whakatane), R. Peach (Canterbury Executive), J. H Carter (Netherton), Jas Parkinson (Opotiki), J. Ranstead (Matangi), D. Buick treasurer (Palmerston), W. Hunter, secretary (Palrrerstbn). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. J. C. Wright (Taranaki), J. Hearsey and J. R. Anderson (Palmerston). Several members of the South Auckland branch of the association were also present by invitation. The president, before the ordinary business of the council was proceeded with, took the opportunity ot welcoming the council members to the Waikato, and made recognition of the fact that it was the initial meeting of the council in the Waikato.

-Soldiers and the Herd-Book. A matter which had been previously discussed by the council, and later bv the Waikato Association's executive, was whether the association should permit .he ugistering of slock by men who were absent on see vice when the herd book was closed. The number suggested was six nonpedigree stock, subject to inspection.

The council strongly favoured en-i-oaragemert to soldiers in this nutter, and lesolved that volumes 4 and 5 of the herd book be opened for soldiers up to the number of 10 nonpedigree females. Under the declaration the soldier has to set out thai the cattle enteied for the herd book are for the purpose of starting the nucleus of a milking Shorthorn herd. The transfer of am- of the cuttle will no', b* gnnted it sold within 12 mo.iths from the date of entr-y, except by the special permission of the council. Voliime 3 Praised. The dairy division of the Department of Agriculture, in receiving volume 3 of the association's herd nook, o. mn'atulated the associat.„n i-n the very convenient and effective arrangement of the matter, which ieilected credit on the association. Second-Class Certificates. The Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. C. J. Reakes, in acknowledging the receipt of the associations resolution urging the granting of second-class semi-of-ficial certificates, intimated that the representations of the association would reeive consideration. The president reported that the amendment regulations, as outlined to the council by Mr. W. M. S'ingleton at the annual meeting, had been approved by the council and were now in force. Second-class certificates would now be issued for animals that qualified in the test, but did not quite fulfil conditions for the period governing first-class certificates. Volume 4 Items. Several matters for the improvement of volume 4 of the herd book were discussed. The president advocated the publication of extended pedigieos in'the volume, which would be of advantage to the members and r or the education of the outside public. Mr. Brown, in supporting, said that such a consummation would obviate a lot of investigation and writing that was now required in searching two o, three books, while there was always the liability of mistakes occurring' in taking down records at present. Mr. Hodges was also in favour of the suggest.ion, provided that it too much secretarial the past the book had not be.n the most satisfactory from the breeders' point of view, and extended pedigrees in the onang volume would be very ..welcome. He held that a four-genorwtiun limit would be sufficient. Mr. Law was also of opinion that the time had been reached when they should extend the pedigrees. Now that they had closed out non-pedi gree cattle there wouid be a far less •lumber to go into the book. Mr. Ranstead was of opinion that all transfers should also be included in the volume, and Mr. Graqf supported that idea. The secretary pointed out that it might be possible to arrange for a breeder, if he wished to go beyond four generations, to be permitted to do so by payment of the additional cost. Mr. Hodges thought that four generations would be sufficient at the present stage. The subject was one which could be met from yean l to year. Resolutions were carried authorising the publication ot extended pedigrees to four generations, and further, that a list of transfers of both males and females be also issued in the next volume of the herd book.