JERSEY CATTLE JUDGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1922, Page 2

JERSEY CATTLE JUDGES.

METHODS OF APPOINTMENT. DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE. The system of appointing judges of Jersey cattle at agricultural shows came in for considerable discussion at yesterday’s conference of the New Zealand Jersey Cattie Breeders’ Association at Stratford. Mr. J. S. Jones moved as a remit from New Plymouth: “That it be a recommendation to the council to put into operation forthwith a scheme whereby all judges would be required to pass an ability test. Mr. Jones said the large entries and superior type of Jersey cattle now showing made it essential that the judges should be competent. He recommended that the council appoint two judges to work in conjunction with Mr. H. E. B. Watson as examiners, and that the present judges’ list be abolished and a new list compiled. He recommended that examinations be held in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Stratford, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Mr. Spragg (Auckland branch) seconded the proposition. He suggested, on behalf of that branch, that nominations for tba appointment of judges should be received from local clubs to come before a select committee of judges for appointment. He moved as an amendment to Mr. Jones’ motion that nominations be received from local clubs. Mr. Roland Hill said the suggestion might be all very well in theory, but he did not think it would work in practice. Who was going to judge the judges? Mr. Campbell Jackson opposed the remit. He did not think it possible to properly judge a judge. The only way to appoint an efficient judge was to try him out in the ring. A judge might be a firstclass man in the ring and yet be rejected by the appointing judges. Mr. Ranford contended that if the present judges’ list were purged they would be faced with a great deal of opposition. He did not think the council would be prepared to take the responsibility of appointing an examining committee. He suggested, however, that future appointments of judges could be carried out on the suggested lines, so that all the new blood would be properly tried out. Mr. Griffiths thought that a more practicable line to take would be to educate the present judges, say, on the lines of Mr. Watson’s demonstrations, so as to give the 'judges a good idea of the ideal type of Jersey. In spite of statements to the contrary, there was only one ideal type. Mr. D. L. A. Astbury thought there should be some more efficient means of administration of future judges, but that the present list should remain. He thought judges should undergo an examination. He moved as an amendment that the suggested examinations should apply only to future appointments. The remit was carried, with the provision that it should apply only to future judges.