ROMNEY MARSH SHEEP BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9526, 25 June 1909, Page 3

ROMNEY MARSH SHEEP BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING.

The fourth annual meeting, held at Palmerston North on Tuesday, was largely attended, members being present from Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Kangitikei, Manawatu, Otago and above Auckland. Mr G. G. Wheeler, President, pressided. The annual report stated inter alia: —The Council has pleasure in presenting the forth annual report and balance sheet of the Affairs of the Association,and it is gratifying to record the continued prosperity of the Association. The balance at the Bank stands at £220 Is lOd, and on fixed deposits £206 Is yd, making a total of £426 3s 7d. The number of flocks now registered stands at 170, while 11 applications have been received. and are being considered by the Council. The championship shields awarded last year were presented to the Hawke's Bay and Otago A. and P. Associations, the large number of entries received at both shows proving the popularity of these trophies with Romney breeders. Mr David Murray, of Balclutha, was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Council, caused by the death of Mr John Holms. Our vice-president, Mr Bealey, is visiting England, and will represent this Association at the annual gathering of the National Sheep Breeders' Association, with which we are affiliated. This gathering will take place as usual during the Royal Argicultura! Show, which this year is being held in Gloucester. Your Council desire expressly to draw the attention o± members to the following rules:— I No, 43. "All registered ewes sold ' must be inspected, reported upon I and approved before transfers are recorded in the Flock Book, and the cost of such inspection be borne by the vendor." This matter should have the attention of members who are requested to communicate with the secretary before the ewes leave their property, in order that satisfactory arrangements can be made for inspection. No. 51. "After January Ist, 1909, no single entries will be made of stud rams unless the name or number (single entry) of the registered sire be given." Members are urged to see that vendors supply this information with all sales of rams, special transfer certificates, giving spaces for the desired details, ar.e now available. In the statement of accounts it was shown that members subscriptions totalled £284 6s. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman said the position of the Association must be accepted as being highly satisfactory. A steady increase in the membership was shown. The Society started with 75 members and now they had reached to a total of 180. The bank balance indicated prosperity. Since the last meeting the death of Mr J. Holms had taken place, which was lamented by the Association. They all knew his high qualifications as a judge, ard his death was greatly deplored. His position had been filled by Mr David Murray, of Balclutha. The report and balance sheet were adopted. In reply to a question the secretary announced that outstanding subscriptions, totalling £59 10s, had been pail, with the exception of about £7. This was considered satisfactory. The chairman reported that it was the recommendation of the Council to allot the shields this year to Auckland and Christchurcli. Mr William Rayncr, Masterton, wrote suggesting something should be done with the Society's surplus money in the way of encouraging maiden breeders by giving at least to 12 societies prizes of £2 first and £1 second as a donation. This would be for breeders who had never taken | a first for Romney Marsh sheep, i Tt was further suggested that breed- ' ers under 10 miles from a railway | station or Showground be compelled ! to make one entry once a year, and over 10 miles once in two or three years. Mr Gardiner favoured younger breeders being encouraged in the'direction indicated. A few leading breeders always scooped the pool. Mr J. W. Harding, Waipukurau, considered it was a matter for the Manawatu A. and P. Association to deal with. Mr T. P. Allen, Hufcfc, spoke against the proposal. The competitions were open to all. Mr Short was once a maiden exhibitor and by persev2rance had done well in the Show ring. Another speaker favoured the suggestion provided it did not debar the exhibitor from entering in both classes. It was finally resolved that the lettar be received. The election of officers resulted: —President, Mr G. C. Wheeler, Stanway; vice president, Mr Bealey, South Island; treasurer, Mr Jacob; auditors, Messrs C. A. J. Levett and E. Goodbehere. Mr Perry, Masterton, suggested that in future more convenient dates should be fixed for both Sheep Breeders' Association, meeting.—The chairman promised this would te remedied; they would endeavour to get the meetings on the one day. A question of considerable importance to New Zealanders breeders was then brought forward by Mr E Short Waituna. He considered the Society strong enougli to take up the matter of sending a shipment of stud stock to the great Argentine Show This would be the 23rd anniversary of the Argentine Show and if New Zealand was once given an opportunity of competing against the world it would be a big thing to sheep breeders of this Dominion. He felt sure, if the proposal was taken in hand at once, it could be put into operation successfully and wiih credit to New Zealand breeders. The meeting asked for the chairman's views on the matter, j Mr Wheeler considered the proj posal to be an excellent one. He said j they must first realise the great competition there was at this Show. The exhibit of cattle was far ahead of the English Shows. If New Zealand could exibit with success—and there was no reason to doubt this—it ought to be advantageous to the j Dominion. j Mr J. W. Harding, Wipukurau, | proposed, and Mr Alf Harding, ! Maugawhare, seconded "Ihat

Messrs E. Short, G. Wheeler, P. Mungavin, and Telford, Otago, with powej to add, be a committee to go fully into the question of sending a shipment of stud sheep to the Argentine Show." Mr Wm. Perry thought it was a question all breeders would take an interest in. The Committee should act as selectors. Mr Short mentioned the Committee should take the matter in hand at once. He had been informed Government woudld subsidise £ for £ towards the cost of shipment. Mr said the cost would be £l2O for each sheep. The As-, sociation would not be asked to bear this. The motion was carred. It was intended to ask the Sheep Breeders' Association to join in the scheme. 1 The question of a minimum flock was brought forward. A motion requiring the transfer of not less than twenty Flock Book ewes, single pedigree ewes excepeted, was lost. After two [amendments the number was reduced to ten.