ASHBURTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1065, 31 January 1884, Page 2

ASHBURTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

The Committee meeting of the above Association, held this afternoon in Bullock’s Arcade Chambers, was fairly attended. Mr J. Hunt, Vice-President, was in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. APOLOGY. Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., wrote apologising for his inability to attend, owing to the Lyttelton Harbor Board meeting to-day. He was in favor of holding the ram and ewe fair. THE HAM AND EWE FAIR. Mr T. Bullock said that several farmers had told him that they thought a ram and ewe fair should be held here. Ashburton was an excellent district and would suit many people better than either Timaru or Christchurch. He was of opinion that a reaper and binder trial should not take place this year, as it was rather late in the season. He would move that it is advisable to hold a ram and ewe fair at Ashburton during the coming season under the auspices of the Society. Mr J. Carter spoke strongly in favor of Mr Bullock’s motion, saying that many sales would be made here if the show was held. He would second the motion. Mr H. Friedlander supported the proposal, and was of opinion that the fair should be held prior to the Christchurch one. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Friedlander moved, and Mr Carter seconded, that the fair take place about March 12th, and after some conversation it was carried unanimously. The following C nr uiu.ee was appointed to carry out the arrangements far the fair:. Messrs Dudley, Hunt, Miller and Oliver. REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL. After a conversational discussion, during which the opinion was expressed that it was rather late in the season, Mr Harrison said that ho thought the farmers would be benefited by the trial being made, and if the Christchurch trial did rot taka place till next week he did not see that we were very late. Mr Hunt supported Mr Harrison’s suggestion, and thought that the makers of the machines should subscribe for the prizes. Mr Bullock agreed with the principle of having a trial, and would bo in favor of giving substantial prizes. The Association had, however, not enough money for this at present, and he thought that it should be postponed till next year, especially as the farmers could not spare time to attend. Mr Gilmour moved—“ That a reaper and binder trial be held in Ashburton this year.” Mr Harrison seconded this. Mr Jameson said he was not in favor of trials being held all over the country. His idea was that the Christchurch Society should be asked to institute trials, to take place in different localities This would give the prizes some real value, which they had not under the present arrangements. The motion on being put to the meeting was declared lost. NEW MEMBER. Mr J. W. Sawle was elected a member of the Association. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of L 139 13s 5d i were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.