BOYS’ AND GIRLS’

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1922, Page 7

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’

NORTHERN DIVISION. CALF-REARING COMPETITION. A meeting of the committee of the northern division of the Boys’ and Giris’ Agricultural Clubs was held at the office of the secretary, Mr. W. P. Okey, on Saturday morning. Present: Messrs. W. B. Grant (in the chair), A. E. Washer, H. A. Stratford, F. W. Sutton, A. P. Lister, H. Trimble, A. J. Luxton, J. A. Kurth, W. Hall,. J. Allen, A. V. Sims, A. Read, A. Turnbull and R. Syme. The chairman reported that it was not quite certain yet as to whether the committee would be able to obtain sufficient seed of Holmes’ improved carrot for the carrot-growing competition. The supply was apparently very limited. There would, it was thought, be no difficulty in obtaining sufficient seed for the northern division, but not for all divisions. In view of the fact that it was desired to hold a Taranaki championship this year, several members thought that the one variety of seed should be ussd all through, and therefore that in the event of the available supply not being sufficient, Matchless White should be substituted. Eventually a committee, consisting of Messrs. Grant, Washer and Syme was appointed to deal with the matter. Arrangements were made in connection with the distribution of brands to the supervisors of the calf-rearing competition in order that there shall be no unnecessary delay in getting the calves branded. It was reported that the number of calves entered was 119, all districts comprising the division being represented. A long discussion ensued on the -conditions of judging of calves, Mr. Turnbull pointing out that on the printed conditions there were clauses included stipulating that dairy type was to be taken into consideration. This was a vexed question, and so far as he knew the committee had never decided that the calves were to be judged at all on that type. The chairman said the conditions were those as drafted by the head executive, but Mr. Turnbull considered that the committee should have an opportunity of discussing the question. During further discussion it was pointed out that the committee, at a meeting held in July, had decided that calves were to be judged on condition, cost, and record chart. The general feeling was that the question of type should not enter in to the competition, which was essentially instituted for the purpose of teaching the children to rear calves economically, and it was eventually decided to delete the clauses referring to calves being judged on dairy type, thus confining it to the decision of the committee itself at a previous meeting, viz., condition, cost and chart. Teachers will be notified that the original conditions will be adhered to. The committee will decide the value of any food which might be fed to calves, but which is not provided for in the chart. POULTRY-RAISING. In connection with the poultry-raising competition, it was stated that the number of entries was 32, but up to the present only seven sittings of eggs had been supplied, as the boys and girls were experiencing some difficulty in securing broody hens. It was decided to communicate with Hawera urging that the root-growing certificates forwarded for signature be returned without delay, together with prize money which was not presented to several competitors owing to their not being present at the formal prize distribution. It was reported that a mistake had been made in the third prize-winner, mangoldgrowing competition. No. 1 group. The name of the competitor should have been Eric Black, of the Omata School. The mistake will be remedied.