BANKS PENINSULA FARMERS' CLUB.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 591, 14 March 1882, Page 2

BANKS PENINSULA FARMERS' CLUB.

A meeting of the members of this Club was held on Saturday afternoon, at Bayley's Hotel, Akaroa, Mr Piper, vice-president, in the chair.

MINUTEP,

Mr Duxbury, the hon. sec, read the minutes of the last meeting, including the annual report. The minutes were confirmed. chairman's address. The Vice-presiil.-nt detailed the business coming before the meeting, THE SECRETARYSHIP. Tenders were opened for the secretaryship, as follows:— J. Barwick, £15 per annum. E. S. fatter, £15 per annum. The latter stated that he could not attend meetings of the Club on Wednesdays and Saturdays. From Mr McClintock, conditional on the meetings being held on Saturday, at £10 per annum. From Mr R. M. Spurr, also conditional on the fact that the meetings be held on Saturdays, at £5 per annum. From Mr T. H. Giles, conditional on the meetings being held on Saturday, at twelve guineas per annum. A discussion ensued as to the fittest person to fill the post, Mr Duxbury raising the q aeation as to why the sub-committee appointed did not decide the matter.

The Vice-preeident explained that they had thought it better to relegate the mat ter to the Club, as there was not a ful attendance at the sub-cotramittee meeting It was pointed out that schoolmasters could not attend except on Saturdays, and also that Mr Latter could not attend on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It was therefore eventually agreed that Mr Barwick should be elected.

AQBICULTDBAL AND PASTORAL BHOW GROUND. The sub-committee appointed brought up the following report:— " Gentlemen,—ln accordance with a resolution passed at last meeting, we waited upon several gentlemen (who held eligible Bites) with reference to the purchase or leasing about 4 acres of land for the purpose of procuring a site for holding the proposed Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Show. "The first gentlemen we interviewed was Mr E. S. Latter, as representative of Mr E. C. Latter. From him we learned the only available site suitable was the property of Mr Rowley, now under lease to Mr E. C. Latter. After some conversation re chance of purchase and also to tenant waiving his tenancy, Mr E. S Latter stated he was visiting Christchurch and would enquire of Mr E. C. Latter his views as to his giving a release of his interest, and Mr Piper would place himself in correspondence with Messrs Packe Bros., agents, re tho purchase. The next was Mr Saxton who pointed out a piece of land and stated he would write the Club at

their next meeting as to price required. " The Site.—After carefully examining it your committee feel they must report unfavorably. (Firstly.) If the site had been good it is taking the Show too far from the geographical centre of the Peninsula and also placingintendingexhibitors from a distance at a disadvantage through there being no means of accommodation.

(Secondly.) The cost of making it fit for the purpose would be costly, as the two flats are very wet and would require underground draining, even then the amount of flat land ie very limited being scarcely

sufficient for the erection of pens and leaving no room for horse parade. The balance is the points of two spurs which might be utilised for visitor's promenade, Association's Show shed, and refreshment booths. Wβ then visited Mr Barwick's land and approved of the site considering that from 2 and 2\ aores of such land would meet the requirements of the Association for a nurabp * of years.

"After interviewing Mr Barwick he promised to consider the matter and advise this club at its next meeting as to whether he would place it under oifer to them. Afterwards we saw Mr Shad bolt, who, although he will not sell, has met this club most liberally in his offer to lease, and we would strongly recommend you to accept this offer provided Mr Barwick will not sell or that this club feel they cannot meet him (Mr Barwick) as to price. We consider the site offered by Mr Shadbolt the best that can be obtained in the district, evon had we had a choice of others.

" Our views with reference to a freehold and a lease are these: We should certainly prefer freehold if procurable, as it would be a means of establishing a show permanently; and farther, all the improvements made would be of a substantial character; and also, it would be an inducement to those who are lukewarm at present to Join, as it would be net only for their benefit but for their children after them.

" Unfortunately we were deprived of Mr McGregor's able assistance through his private business engagements. We should have waited upon Mr Birdling although we knew he would not sell, but he was away from home ; and also with reference lo Mr R. Stuart we found upon enquiry he had no eligible sites, and consequently did not call upon him.

"We append correspondence on the matter.

" H. Piper." " Christchurch, March 10, 1882.

" Dear Sir, —In reply to your favor of March 6th, Mr Rowley's land at Barry's Bay is at present withdrawn from the market for sale, hut we might entertain a good offer for the lease of the whole fifty acres. Yours, etc.,

" Packe Bros." " Duvauchelle'e Bay, March 11,1882.

"Sir,—-With reference to the conversation re selling a site for the Pastoral Association Show Grounds, I beg to inform you that after due consideration of the question I have concluded not to sell any portion of my land at present. Yours, etc.,

" John Barwick." " Duvauchelle's Bay, March 4.

" Gentlemen, —I received your . note relative to purchasing ground for site for the Pastoral Association Show. I beg most respectfully to say that I have no land for sale, but will lease to you for show purposes only a sufficient quantity of land say four or five acres on the flat or the came paddock that the show wa? held in in former years. The Show committee, if they erect a produce shed lam willingto take it over at fair valuation at the end of the term, say seven or ten years lease. I shall also expect the committee to erect a fence about six feet high to prevent the public from climbing over and so making , a thoroughfare wherever they wish. I will leave the rental to the deputation to make nn offer. As I consider it is for a very good purpose I should like to be liberal ami am very sorry that the site cannot be purchased .--Yours, etc.,

•• B. Shadbolt." Mr Chappell asked if Mr Piper could not let the Club have some land.

Mr Piper replied in the negative. Several gentlemen were strongly in favor of accepting Mr Shadbolt's offer, if he would grant a longer lease than ten years.

After much discussion, Mr Chappell proposed that Mr Sh«dbolt be offered £2 per acre for four acres for a 10 years' lease, £3 for four acres for a 15 years' lease, and £4 per acre for a 21 years' lease.

Mr Duxbury seconded. Mr Segar proposed as iin amendment— "That Mr Shadbolt be offered £3 per acre for a 10 years' lease of four acres." This was seconded by Mr Kingston. The amendment, on being put, was lost, and the original resolution was then put and carried.

MESSRS HUDSON RIDLEY AND CO.'S OFFER. The following letter was read :— " Christcliurch, Feb. 25,1882. " Sir,—ln reply to yours dated 22nd February, if you look again at our proposals you will see that if the cheese is

sent to us to pack here we guarantee 2|d per lb nett, i.e., without any deduction for expenses, but if the farmers pack their own cheese we make no guarantee whatever—it ia sent at their own risk. Wβ are not anxious to purchase oheese just now. We have enquiry for good, and believe we can sell so as to bring 4|d and 4£d to the farmer at Lyttelton, less our commission of 2£ per cent. We shall be glad to see Mr Checkley. Nowjs the best time to send cheese Kome. Waiting to hear from you again,-—Yours, etc., " Hudson Ridley & Co."

Mr Segar said he intended to send a ton of cheese home as an experiment. He wished to know if any member of the Club could give him any information on the subject. Mr Duxbury said he had had eorae conversation with Mr Hargreaves on the matter, and thought that probably accommodation would be provided in the Mataura, which was daily expected. A good deal of butter had lately been bought by Christchurch merchants and sent to England by vessels fitted with refrigerating apparatus. Butter went Home well when frozen, but cheese did not. However, he heard that cheese went Home well, if stored in a chamber adjoining the refrigerating chamber. After further discussion, Mr Jacobson moved—"That Mr Hargreaves be written to, asking for information regarding shipping cheese and butter by the Mataura, stating fully accommodation likely to be provide i, price of freight, etc." Seconded by MrSegar and carried. EXHIBITION. MrChftppell said that Messrs G. Mackay, J. Goodwin, W. MacKay, Luke Perhain, Boothroyd. T. Mould, J. Reed, C. McDonald, ft.-Hunt, G. Giddens, G. Checkley, P. David, G. Field, Radcliffe, Hartley, Sager, Duxbury. H. Kingston, G. Vogan, B. Shadbolt, G. Odeil, J. Hammond, G. Morgan and others had promised to send cheese to the International Exhibition, and Messrs Sandys, J. Daly, G. Odell and T. Mould would also show grass seed. It would therefore be seen that he had been fairly successful in his canvas, and he hoped to get a good many more exhibits.