NEW ZEALAND HEREFORD CATTLE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8246, 26 September 1906, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND HEREFORD CATTLE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

annual meeting

The aonual meeting of the New Zealand Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association was held at the Club Hotel, Palmerson North, ou September 18th inst. Tho Presinont (Mr Stuokey) was in the ohai'r. The report and balance sheet which bad been sent to all members wbb taken as read. The President, in proposing the adoption of the same, said:—"l am pleased to cocgratnlate members on tbe year's success; but the success is in bo many ways that I hardly know where to begin, although I really think lor those who have a real respect and love for Herefords, such a 9 1 have, the congratulations can and most only commence with expressing great satisfaction at seeing one's favourites pushing themselres into plnoey where they have hitherto been "looked at with suspicion; and not only getting there, but like the Anglo-Saxon that he is staying there, and doing good fcr himself and those with whom he is connected; and thus paying the way for further colonisation. The increase of membership has been frojQ 24 to 27. I think this is a great cause for satisfaction, as it shows that settlers are not only taking an interest in a bull to get the beat beef the world oan produce, but in the breed itself, which -I feel means more competition, and thus improvement. Financially our credit balance stands at £356 Os 4d, being an increase of £27 19s 4d during the year. 1 do not think it necessary for the Association to build ap what might be called a reserve fund; bat there shoald be a sum in band sufficient to meet any amount which may be required to expand tbe Association at any time as circumstances require. For various reasons I do nut anticipate that the credit balance ■vlll increase aB heretofore. Of this oredit £219 18s 4d is in cash, tbe balance (£137 13s 6d) is in what may be called our stook-iu-iracie, mostly surplus volumes of Herd Books, and are valued at about half cost price; but even at that low valuation may not realize that amount if hurriedly pot on the market. ' As tbe Association Is sound and permanent I see no reason for this contingenuy. On the other hand it is neaessary that we hold bank volumes for supplying" when required, and it appears to me that each new member will find it to hi* advantage to get tbe btck volumes. 'The History of Hereford Cattle' is more than likely out of print, bat I am still trying to get it. It must be pleasing to members of the Association to find bow well New Zealand Herefords are doing; not only in the show yards in Australia, but also on the stations there. This suooess should help (if any incentive ia wanting) to make us grow beLter oattle, oattle with more constitution, more quality, more flesh, not forgetting tbe milk, for it will not be long before the dairymen will be after us for constitution (in fact he is already here), and with constitution be must have milk. It is nonsense to say Herefordia will not milk when we hear of an EpgllsU herd taking the first prize one year and the second another year from one : of the largest English Agricultural Sooiytles, for the best generally managed dairy farm. 1 allude to Mr White, Zeals, Wilts. Then I would ask breeders because the demand for bails has increased not to keep anything but only the best, and even tben, if before sale any have not come up to the expectations, instead of selling at a Iqd price to quit, make them into beef. There may be a temporary loss in this, but ultimately a very great gain, and then the so recently despised whiteface will push himself still faster than be has hitherto done to tbe top not onltf as a beef producer, bat also that of a very riob milker." Mr Jas. Stuckey was re-elected President, Mr A. H. Russell fills the offloe of Vice-President, and Messrs Jas. MoQregor and G. Wheeler the vacancies in the -Council.

Ihe Council met after the general meeting, when it was decided to considerably increase the information contained in the next annual volume of the Herd Book, which will make the publication much more valuable to those taking an interest in cattle.