ELLESMERE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18426, 6 July 1925, Page 4

ELLESMERE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

fr I MEETING OP THE COMMITTEE. ! A meeting of the Committee of the Ellesmero Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at Leeston on Thursday. Present: Messrs T. A. Stephens (president), A. MePherson, A. J. Inwood, \J. Brooks, J. Boag, jun., AY. O. Itenuie, H. McLenaghen, A. McLoughlin, \V. 11. Abbott, AY. J. Lemon, G. AY. R. Osborne, AY. Johnston, R. G. McClure, G. 11. Barnett, G. Nairn, H. Schnelle, AY. J. Boyle, AY. Loehllead, 11. Gardiner, J. O, Chamberlain, R. T. McMillan, I. McGill, AY. McLachlafi, Joseph Brooks, A. E. AYithcll, and E. E. Jenkins. Sympathy was extended to tho relatives of tho Into Mi* Thoinas Brooks, Mrs S. I?. Scott, and Miss M. J. Scott. Tho president and vico-presidenb were appointed delegates to a conference in Christchurcli at which tho Electoral Committee to elect producers' representatives on the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board will be appointed. The Leeston Football Club applied for permission to play matches on the Show Ground dval. The club wished to play its first match on July 11th. The application was granted, and permission was also given to the IJllesmcre Rugby Sub-Union to have representative matches played on the Show Ground. The president said that permission was granted for one year only. It would be necessary to make fresh application each year. The Association could not make a charge this year, but if improvements were carried out. as intended, it might do so next year. It was decided to ask tho County Engineer to survey the ground and lay out the oval. The president said it would be advisable to proceed at onco with the canvass for funds for Show Ground improvements. 116 was hopeful of securing a substantial sum, and would be pleased to accompany any canvasser who wisiied to have his assistance.

Tlio following wero appointed to have charge of the canvassing:—Southbridge, Messrs A. McPherson and A. J. Inwood; Sedgemere, Messrs I. McGill and jr. -McLaughlin ; Lakeside, Messrs 11. Schnelle and G. Nairn: Little Rj.kaia, Messrs AY. Abbott and AY. M. Gabbie; Killinchy, Messrs 11. McLenaghen, A\. J. Lemon and R. G. McClure; Leeston, Messrs AY. Johnston, GAY. K. Osborne, G. 11. Barnett and AY. McLachlan; Doyleston. Messrs AY. O. Ronnie and AY. ,T. Doyle; Irwell, Messrs K. T. McMillan, John Brook* aud H. Gardiner; Jiunsandel, Messrs E. E. Jenkins and J. Boag. jun.; Brookside, Messrs T. AY. Brooks and A. E. AVithell.

It was decided to procure up-to-date apparatus for measuring hordes at the Show. The president reported that tho tender of Mr 11. Inwood had been accepted for felling and cording trees on tho south side of the Show Ground at 16s 6d a cord. Tenders were also being called ior_ the building of a secretary's office.

Mr O. U. R. _ Osborne mentioned that, according to an interpretation obtained fro" 1 ■Wellington by the Leeston registrar, very lie;ivy license fees would have to be paid upon threshing, chaff-cutting and other plants used in fanning operations. If such fees had to be paid by the owners of the plants they •K'onld have to be passed on to the farmer, and the matter was one that the Association should take up. He moved that the secretary should urite to the Minister of Internal Affairs for an interpretation of the section or clause dealing -with threshing or similar plants. lie understood that the fee** payable with respect to a threshing plant*

for instance, "would amount to about £10; This was a crushing burden to.impose upon the farmers. , , ~ Mr J. Boajr, jtin., seconded tlio motion. Mr E E. Jeiikihs said that if the driver was careful to break liis tracks, traction engine plants did mors £oo*l than harm to | tlio roads. 4 _ , ~ .J Mr R. T. McMillan enquired whether the heavy fees .would alsp apply to tractors. Mi* Osborne that the heavy fees would not ho payable in respect to a tractor that was being driven between two latnis belonging to tho tractor owner, but if it was taken to softieori6 else's farm, tho heavy license fee Would have to be paid. The regulations applied to traction engines an d tractors, and anything hauled belund them. Tho motion Was carried. ' It was mentioned that the fees taken during the year bv the district veterinary surgeon, Mr T. S. Greg&ry, had fallen short of the guaratiteo given by tho Association to the 'extent of £l3l 7s 6d. Mr Gregory Attended tho meeting, ahd said he was riot getting the support that was expected from a district such as EUesmere. He was prepared to stay in the district if the amount of work entrusted to him warranted his reihaifiing. ~ Several fnembefs spoke highly of Mr Gregory's qualifications and of his prompt attention to calls. *• A resolution was unanimously earned, placin" on record the Association's appreciation o"f Mr Gregory's work in the district, and confidence in his ability, Mr Gregory having been under guarantee to the Association during the past year. The resolution also expressed a hope that, Mr Gr6gpry would remain in the district. and that farmers would support him loyally.