AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1918, Page 3

AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

ANNUAL MEETIKG. » fOur Own Reporter). The annual meeting of tlie New Zealand Ayrshire Cattle Breeders' Association was held at Palmerston North on Wednesday evening. The President (Mr Carter) occupied the chair. There was a large attendance of members. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follows: Patron, Mr Andrew McFarlane; President, Mr A. C. Johnstone (Auroa); VicePresidents, Messrs , Parlaiie (Christchurch), Q. Woodley (IPalmerston North), and W. Hall (Lepperton); Committee, Messrs J.'Kyle (Palmerston North), P. Mills (Hawcra). and G. Carter, (Porirua); Treasurer, W. H. ICarston, (Himitangi); Auditor, P. Mills (Hawera); Secretary, P. Neilson. Mr A. C. Johnstoue then took the chair. It was resolved that the Association approach the Government with a view to having the period under which the semi official list is now being conducted reduced from 455 days to 365 days, this being the usual dairy period. It was also resolved that with a view to encourage breeders to place their cows under semi official test, the Association offer sums of £l, £2 and £3 respectively to members who own a, cow or heifer that .puts up lOC lbs, 200 lbs, or 300 lbs respective, of ibutter fat over the amount required to qualify in their particular class, and also that the Association offor a prize of £lO to the owner of the first Ayrshire cow to put up a record of 750 lbs of butter fat. an amendment that these two last resolutions be held over until it is ascertained whether any result is achieved by the Association approaching the Government to reduce the period of test was lost. It was resolved that the matter of holding an Ayrshire Derby be reopened under the following conditions: Entries to be for animals born between July Ist and November 30th of each year; in addition to a full description of the animal, a photograph of its right side shall also bo attached. Entry fee to be 10/- for each animal up to three by one owner, thereafter the owner will be charged £1 for each additional entry. Entries for first Deriby competition to close on November 30th, I'OIS. Competitions to fbe held three years hence at the show where the gold medal championship is then held. Future competitions to be held in the sajne order. The whole of the entry money will be allocated in prize money, divided into 20 per cent, 15 per cent, 10 per cent and 5 per cent. It was also resolved that the ineetrecommend the association's committee to held the North Island Gold Medal Championship for 1919 at Hamilton, provided they are satisfied the accommodation is suitable. It was resolved that the Ayrshire Cattle 'Breeders' Association approve of the proposal to form a New Zealand Federation of all New Zealand Cattle Breeders' Associations, and the chairman and Mr. Kyle were appointed delegates to represent the Ayrshire Association. On the motion of Mr. Mills, i£- was decided to write to the Minister for Agriculture and ascertain, in view of the fact that cattle have recently 'been imported from Australia, whether any prohibition against such importation is in existence. A deputation from the A. & P. Association waited on the Association in connection with the pedigree cattle sales which were held at the Winter Show. The first deputation pointed out that New Zealand was the cleanest country in the world as far as cattle disease was concerned, and also the best breeding country in the world, its prices fop pedigree stock were the lowest. Mr McCrae said that they were desirous of putting the sales on a better footing, and it would be an inducement to outside buyers if they knew that the sales of the different pedigree cattle were held together. The sales should fmprove each year, and possibly the different Breeders' Association might give prizes and so create competition among breeders. It was decided to recommend to the incoming committee to discuss and give the most favoraMe consideration to tbe question raised by the deputation. Resolutions of sympathy were passed with the relatives of Messrs P. Litchfield and A. C. Hniblbard, members of the Association who were recently killed in action, and with Messrs A- C. Johnstone ([president 1 and T. WeWb, each of whom had lost a son in the great struggle.