BANKS PENINSULA FARMERS' CLUB.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 575, 17 January 1882, Page 3

BANKS PENINSULA FARMERS' CLUB.

A meeting of this Club took place at Mr SRrooks' Somerset Hotel, Head of the Bay on Saturday last. The President, Mr ■Coll McDonald, occupied the chair. The attendance was rather "parse owing no •doubt to so many farmers being at present employed cutting , grass seed DISTRIBUTION OF SHARE IN ORAM SHIPMENT, Mr Duxbury, the Secretary, handed round to all applicants present their share of the proceeds of the Orari shipment of ■cheese, less amount due to the Club. The farmers received the small sums coming to them In a jolly manner that wns ■exceptionally creditable to them. Mr McGregor had prepared the accounts, which appeared to give sntisfaction to all. ANNUAL SHOW. The Chairman said he should much like to see the Annual Agricultural and Pastoral Show, under the auspices of the -Club, re-established. He thought there was little difficulty in the way if they all went heart and soul into it, and was of opinion that the first, step the Club should lake, should be to purchase a suitable paddock, on which they could erect yards. He was certain it would lie much better for them if they could hold the Show on their own grounds. No doubt many of those present would express their opinion on the matter. He was glad to see Mr Shadbolt there, who had taken such a prominent pait in these matters in this times gone by. All they wanted to do was to put their shoulders to the wheel and a speedy success would lie the result. He thought they should consult all those gentlemen who ha<l taken such a warm interest in it before.

Mr S. Hunt said that lie thought that they could establish it by means of the •Club alone, without any outside nid.

The Chairman said that the absent persons he alluded to were like Mr Birdling, or Mr Jas. Hay, who bad done so «nuel> good by importing stock of a suitable character, and who had gnined many prizes at the Show and given so much maney to that Institution. Of all the many prizes Mr Hay had taken (here, he didn't believe he had pocketed one.

Mr Shadbolt said that it was true thair Mr Hay had returned all the money bet siad ever won in prizes for the benefit of t l ie Exhibition.

The Chairman said that such men as \l Hay, and others who were not present a that time, and proved themselves such good friends to the Show, were certainly worthy of every consideration. (Applause.)

Mr S. Hunt asid it was no good the farmers trying to compete against an importer of first-class stock like Mr Hay.

Mr Chappell (who was called on for an expression of his opinion) said he had already expressed his views pretty fully in the Akaroa Mail. He thought there was one really good and practical thing they might do at once, and that was, to purchase a really first class bull hy subscription. He did not believe any dairyman would refuse from 5s to £1 towards the purchase of the animal, and a fee could be charged for his services that would pay for his keep.' By that means they could greatly improve the Peninsula stock.

Mr S. Hunt thought they should get a Hereford bull.

Mr Chappell was opposed to this ; getling a Hereford bull meant getting hides and horns and beef. What they wanted wag to improve the breed of milkers. Mr Hunt thought they should have a Produce Show with their Agricultural one, at which cocksfoot, roots, &c\, might be exhibited.

Mr Shadbolt said he bad listened with interest to what had been said regarding Mr Hay's efforts on behalf of the Show. He thought the whole Peninsula had largely benefited through the energy of the brothers Hay, who had imported magnificent stock. Wherever they went on the Peninsula they found cattle descended from those imported by the Messrs Hay.

Mr Hunt said that he believed if they spoke of mere milking cattle, those they had twenty years ago on the Peninsula were better than any they had had since. He believed most of those came from the stock of Mr Deans, of liiccarton

Mr Cbappell said that the good milkers Mr Hunt spoke of were really descended from a number of cows that had come from Valparaiso. The cattle imported by the Messrs Hay were very geod, but they were beef, and not dairy cattle. He thought it would cost a lot of money to purchase a site for the Show, but they roust have proper yards also. He should be most happy to give 100 posts and rails towards the fencing. Mr Li beau said he would be happy to give a fortnight's work. Mr McGregor thought the Club would have no difficulty in procuring the necessary money to purchase a site and erect suitable yards. He thought, however, it was too late this year to do anything. Mr Duxbury moved—" That it is deeirable to re-establish the Banks Peninsula Agricultural and Pastoral Show, and that a committee, consisting of Messrs Mac donald, Barnett, Duxbury, Checkley, Sh.'idbolt, Curry, S. Hunt, Goodwin, Cnllaghan, Chappdt, Coop, Field, Vogan, Kingston, Libean, Brooks, McKay. Glyrian. W. Moore, Barker, M. M. Jones, J. Hunt, J. Moore, T. Hay, Piper, Budua, Birdling. McGregor, and Jacobson, be appointed for thn nurooseof drawing up a report on the

subject, to be presented to the members of the Club at a meeting to be held on the 4th March. Seconded by Mr David and carried. APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY. Mr Duxbury pointed out that at their next meeting they would have to elect a secretary. Hβ had promised to do the work during the first year for nothing, but that year had nearly expired. PRICE OF COCKSFOOT. The President asked if any gentleman had anything to say regarding a uniform price to be charged for cocksfoot grass. The Hon Secretary showed a letter from Messrs Cunningham and Co., stating that their price delivered in Lyttelton was from 3d to 3£d according to sample. Several farmers declared that they could disposo of their grass seed on the spot at 3h\. The matter then dropped. ANOTHER SHIPMENT OF CHEESE. The President thought they should not t>e deterred by the ill-luck of the shipment pent per Orari, but should send another lot this year. It was the duty of the Club to persevere, and if they did he was certain they would be eventually rewarded. Mr Duxbury thought that they might send small shipments privately. The President said that if the Mataura came down they should send a small shipment by her. Mr Checkley said he intended to send five or six cases at any rate as an experiment. If the Club sent he would send through them, but if not he should forward himself. He thought one benefit to bo derived from these shipments was ascertaining , the best method of packing. The cheese he had sent by the Orari had been packed in different ways, but of course, the returns having been sent in the way they had, ho had gained no experience by them, however, he had no doubt that if they continued shipping they would find out the best way and then it could be universally adopted. He especially recommended them to try another small shipment. No one need send enough to ruin himself, but he might send enough to gain experience. He pointed out that Messrs Hudson and Ridley had sent Home cheese very successfully, and no doubt their mode of packing was good, Could not the Secretary write to that fiim and ask for information on the subject ? THE EXHIBITION. The President said he thought that they should have an exhibition of cheese at Akaroa. He believed to have a fair test, that every fanner should make the cheese to be exhibited on the same day, so that all may be subjected to the same weather.

Mr David said that he thought all their energies should !>c Itent on sending p. good show of cheese to the International Exhibition to be held in Christchurch.

At! present agreed with Mr David. Mr McGregor especially urging the importance of the matter upon the meeting.

Mr Hunt then moved—" That a committee, consisting of Messrs Checkley, McDonald Chnppol, David, and the mover, be appointed for tlie purpose of seeing that the produce of the Peninsula is properly represented at the forthcoming International Exhibition in Christchurch." Seconded by Mr Shadbolt and carried nnanimously. Accounts. Accounts amounting to £1 Os Gd were passed for p.iyment, and the meeting adjourned to Saturday Feburary 18, when tin! Annual Meeting takes place.