STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

[Messages or instructions left care of H. F. Hopkins, Bookseller and Stationer, Broadway, will receive prompt attention.] (From Qur Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Nov. 12. A meeting of the general committee 01 the Stratford Agricultural and Pustoral Association was held to-day. The piesident of the Association (Air. E. Jackson) presided over a good attendtiice of members. executive report. jne executive submitted a report that tlie roofing of tile bull pens had been completed, the work being accomplished without, cost to the Association. The paddock- accommodation was sufficient to enable stock to receive all attention, r.utnes had come in very freely. Matters in connection with the establishment 01 a model dairy farm in this district had been kept steadily in view. Entries close 011 Thursday, 23rd inst. The committee appeals to farmers and others to make special efforts to become exhibit°3■ .™, tru3ts tl,a t every pen will be tilled. The committee wishes to make the show a, record one for the province. The president stated that the weather had been very much against them, bulb despite -this they had accomplished sp.endid work. The bull pens had all been roofed :n and a great improvement made in other directions. He touched on further improvements suggested to the g ™"" cU - „ He lla d received n donation of i,. _s for the funds. He appealed to t lem to make a special effort to «ct show cattle in. If farmers could not get along themselves the executive would send a man along to look after the ra-'lubits. There was a splendid growth of feed, so that owners of stock could rely on their cattle beinrr well looked after. Mr. Newton King's representative stated that he would erect a building as a permanent stand at a cost 0; f 1011, provided he could always use it- the committee resolved that'he b* cnaiged a pepper-corn rental of Is per year for a term of eight years. Mr King had been a loyal and enthusiastic exhibitor, and they wished to meet him 111 c-\ery possible way. The shed would have a frontage of about 70ft, With reference to- the suggestion of Mr. Sergei that the boys should iudge some of the Jersey cattle, he liked tile idea, as it could be thrown out if not practicable. It. would enable a lad to use his own knowledge and observations 111 the judging of stock as to value 01 milking stain and beef cattle.-' Last year preparing the grounds had cost £2O. If members could come along and give a helping hand it would eonsilerably lessen this cost.

Mr. Tom Pcriy, Mangatoki, said ho was pleased tr licar that arrangements had been made by the Society for improvements for horses. Last year !io had a horse lamed through coming into 1 contact with a wire fence. It was not really safe that horses should be tethered in that manner. Heithought farmers should "battle" round and get entries. He had much pleasure in donating £2 2s to the funds towards the cost of erecting loose boxes for show horses. The report of the executive and the president's suggestions were carried. JUDGING BY BOYS. Mr. Campbell Jackson referred to having a class of judging Jerseys conducted by boys under Mr. H. G. Sergei, agricultural instructor to the Education Beard. Several members objected to the class being restricted to Jerseys. They had no objection to the boys judging stock and pitting their knowledge against each other, but thought) it unfair that tin class should be restricted to one particular breed of cow'. Mr. D. Ranford said he believed a dairy cow w.n a dariry cow, whether a pedigree or a grade. The Society could make a good class without stipulating any breed. It was not fair that Jerseys should be picked out for this competition. Other strains had good cattle for dairying purposes. The chairman, in replying, said that Mr. Sergei was conducting a class for judging Jerseys at Hawera, and he possessed an intimate knowledge of that type of cow. Personally, the chairman could see no barm in allowing the test to bo made. Eventually a resolution was passed that the class be allowed this season. ELECTION- OF MEMBERS. The following new members were elected: Mr. Gulliver, Messrs R. Jerkins, H. Cook, H. Manson, A. Anderson, C. Stewart, E. Godfrey, and S. Mills. SIDE SHOWS. The president remarked that there would be a very good number of sideshows. They had already received applications from several entertaining companies for space. The children and others not particulaiy interested .in cattle and other exhibits would be well catered for in the side shows,

DOGS, f'tfg The question of allowing drovers of cattle to use dogg in driving cattle to and from the grounds was discussed. There was every reason why valuable cattle should receive every consideration, and the presence of many dogs might have a disastrous effect on the cattle. The president said he was not keen on having loose dogs on the grounds.—A resolution, was carried that r.o dogs be employed in connection with taking cattle to and from the grounds. * OCEAN TRANSPORT. Messrs J. B. Richards and E. Marfelt visited Waverley this week and addressed a meeting there nomprising farmers, producers, etc. Mr. Dickie presided. Messrs Richards, Marfell, and 0. J. Hawkins (Hawera) were the speakers. Mr. Richards' remarks generally covered those already published. The meeting was sympathetic, and a resolution was carried confirming the desirability of establishing a Producers' Shipping Company on the lines suggested in the scheme. A committee was set up, consisting of the chairmen of various dairy factories and producers in the district. This committee will hold further meetings in due course. r PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE. W Messrs W. P. liirkwood (chair), W. J. Crawsliaw, D. J. Malone, and J. W. Me' Millan (hon. see.), were present at the executive meeting held on Friday. It was decided to hold a Motor Cycle Sports and Gala Day for the benefit of the Wounded Soldiers Fund at Easter. The Stratford Racing Ciug offered the services of the Wanganui Garrison Band fo a concert at Ngaere Gardens on Sun-

day, December 31. The offer was accepted with thanks. The Hawera Male Choir, including the famous quartette, will give a concert in the Town Hall 011 December fi. Sections in Ariel Street and Olotoa Road, donated by Mr. S. Mann, of Mahoe, will be raffled for the benefit of the Wounded Soldiers Fund at this concert. CENSUS RETURNS. " Compared with the census returns of 1011 there is a small decrease in population in the Stratford County. The ful! figures are:—West Siding, 801; South 993; No> x h, 1708; East, 1213; Mangaclm. 287: total, 5152. In 1911 the total waj 522(1. There are 1013 occupied houses and 59 unoccupied. The Whangamomor.a County also shows a decrease compared with the figures of 1911. The latest census shows:—Central Riding, 546; Pohokura, 145; Strathmorc, 332; Tahora, 374; total, 1357. In 1911, 1615. There are 303 occupied and 37 unoccupied houses. Regarding tlie sexes there are 271S males and 2434 females in the Stratford Coiinty, and 802 males and 585 females in the Whangamomona County.