AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1922, Page 7

AYRSHIRE BREEDERS.

THE ANNUAL MEETING, GATHERING AT PALMERSTON. (From Our Special Reporter.) Palmerston N., June 22. The annual meetnig of the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association was held at Palmerston North on Wednesday evening, when Mr. W. Karsten presided over a good attendance'. The annual meeting of the Ayrshire added considerably to the members’ list, and the hope was expressed that the ensuing year would witness a still further increase. Reference was made to the indifferent support given • to the Butter-fat Derby, and to semi-official testing, and it was hoped, in -the interest of the breed, more attention would be paid to these means of advertising by members generally. The election ot officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr- A. McFarlane; president, Mr. J. Kyle (Palmerston North) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Hansen, W. Karsten, A. M. Weir. MessrsAitchinson, Johnstone and R. McDiarmid were elected to fill the vacancies on the committee, and Mr. T. Wefob was elected treasurer- The appointment of an auditor was left in the hands of the committee, and Mr. G. Tonks was re-elected secretary.

Medals were presented, as follows:—North Island champion bull, Mr. A. Montgomerie; North Island champion cow, Mr. W. P. Harris; South Island champion- bull, Mr. A. Gillies; South Island champion cow, Mr. J- Parlane. Derby prizes for 1921 were presented as follows:—Mt. W. Moore (Masterton) first; Porirua Mental Hospital, second and fourth; Mr. Montgomery, third and fifth. U j"--It was announced that the winners of prizes for highest production of butter over quantity required in semi-official test were Mr. A. H. Hansen, mature cow. Mr. C. Webb,, two and three-year-old classes. . It was decided in future to adopt prefixes instead of affixes as previously, and that such prefixes ibe registered at a fee of 2s 6dDuring a general discussion, Mr. Kyle referred to the exhibit of Ayrshires at the Taranaki A. and P. Show, and said it was the finest he had ever seen in New Zealand at an autumn show. Several new members were elected. The chairman referred to the splendid performances the Ayrshires were registering under semi-official test, and said it behoved.-breeders to do all they could through their Association to see that the value of the Ayrshire was made more widely known. With regard, to the Government’s proposed increased charges for semi-official testing, it was decided that it be a recommendation to the Association’s delegates .to a-conference- of breeders to advocate the following: That where a breeder has six or less females, £5 5s be charged for the first cow, and £3 3s for each individual cow; where a breeder has over, six females, 7 the- minimum charge to be £5 ss’for the first two cows, and £3 3s for each additional cow placed under test. \ It was decided to recommend the committee to call for entries for a new Derby, nominations to close on August 1 next. Certain amendments were proposed to the conditions, and several members expressed their willingness to make entries if the Derby was proceeded with. A hearty vote o* thanks -as accorded to the retiring officers Ar their services during the past, year. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Press and to the A. and P. Society for the use of the room in which to hold the meeting.