NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 35, 10 July 1874, Page 3

NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association was advertised to be held at the Road Board Office, Raugiora, on Thursday. Between thirty and forty persons were present.

Mr H. Blackett moved that Mr John Macfarlane, of Coldstream, who was one of the most inlluential residents and the oldest stockowner in the district, should take the chair.

Mr M, Dixon, M.P.C., seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr B. G. Kerr explained that the late president of the Association, Mr J. Evans Brown, was attending his duties at the General Assembly, Wellington, but had requested him to call the present meeting, and produce the minute book and other documents connected with the association. There was a balance of £1 12s 2d to the credit of the iissociation in the hank, and property consisting of hurdles, rope, and tickets valued at £2B. He stated that the intention of the present meeting was to elect the officers and council of the association, and carry out any other business [connected with the association.

The Chairman begged to thank thorn for having placed him in the chair. The business, he took it, was to re-establish the association, which had been for some years treated as defunct. They would elect officers and committee, and at the same time he would be glad to hear suggestions made for

the guidance of the council of the association. A great deal depended upon the selection of the members of the managing committee, and he had no doubt but they would elect the best men. The original rules, he might say, he hoped would be adopted by the meeting.

Mr Kerr read that part of the constitution of the association, which provided that the persons who took part in the election of officers must be members, audio be members, they must have paid their subscriptions in advance.

The chairman ruled that this must be acted upon. Mr R. L. Higgins, M.P.C., said it'appeared that the society was recognised as dead, and it would be best therefore, to have a committee appointed to ascertain who would bo likely to become members. The meeting might decide what the subscription of a member should be. It would be well, he thought, to set aside the idea of resuscitating the former association, then the committee which the meeting would appoint, having secured a certain number of members, an association could be brought into existence.

Mr Dixon said that accorded with his views, and he would second Mr Higgins’s proposition. He noticed that some difficulty would be likely to|arise, from the fact that some persons were in favor of the exhibition of stock being held at different places each year, while others held that it should be held regularly at the same place. Mr Blackett agreed with what had been said ; they must first have members and then electjja committee. Mr W. Buss said certainly they could do nothing till a committee was appointed to get members together. He was very sorry to see there was not a larger attendance 1 and representatives present from Kaiapoi, Oxford and Eyrcton. The first meeting had been held at Kaiapoi, but he might state that it was held on an inconvenient day for the Rangiora people, as it was a Tuesday, on which the sales were always held, but he was not aware that there was anything that day which would prevent the Kaiapoi portion of the district from being represented here. He agreed with the remarks which had fallen from Mr Higgins. It would also be advisable to draw up different rules, as some of those of the old association would not be found to answer now. It would be for the meeting to elect members on the committee, so that every part of the northern district should be represented. Leithfield, Oxford, Kaiapoi, and Rangiora, ought to be fairly represented, and when this committee met they could then decide as to the most central place for holding the show. This matter of deciding where the show should be held they would find would have a great deal to do with getting members and ensuring success to the association. He maintained that the great fault before was, that the show was shifted about, but if held at one fixed place ho was certain it would be more successful, (Cheers.) Mr P. M. Rickman asked if there were any funds in hand.

The Chairman: Very little. I will put the resolution proposed by Mr Higgins, seconded by Mr Dixon. Mr James Hursc said, before it was put he should like to say a few words. He considered that they ought to treat the old association as dead. The balance in hand was small, and the property referred to was rotten and useless. He agreed with Mr Higgins’ remarks, that the meeting ought to be treated as a public one, held to ascertain the opinions of persons in the district in reference to forming an association. The meeting, he urged," ought, however, in the first instance, to decide where the exhibitions of stock should be held, as many might say, “If it is held at Kangiora I will not subscribe;” and others, “If it is not held at Kaiapoi I will not subscribe towards the Association.” If this question was settled now then the committee would have something to go upon, and after they had ascertained the names of all who would become subscribers, they could start the association by electing the officers and council at a future meeting, when they would also be able to ascertain the names of several who were not present that would be very desirable persons to have upon the committee.

Mr C. Merton asked if a resolution was before the meeting.

The Chairman said he understood Mr Higgins had moved something, but he had since left the room to catch the train. Mr Dixon stated ho seconded the motion, but he approved of what had been advanced by Mr Buss, as it would probably result in the same thing, whether the meeting or the committee decided whether the show should be taken from place to place or held regularly in one locality. Mr Rickman thought they ought to ascertain what subscribers they were likely to secure.

Mr Hurse said he would move as an amendment—“ That a northern agricultural association be formed, independent of the previous association, and that it be held in a central position, to wit, Rangiora.” He lived in Kaiapoi, but still he should like to see the show of stock held in a central place. He again urged that nothing would be gained by carrying the old society, neither did he see that Kaiapoi would be jealous of the show being held in a central position. [Cheers.] Mr Kerr pointed out that an amendment could not be made when there was no motion before the meeting.

Mr Lee considered that Mr Higgins had proposed a motion, which was seconded.

Mr Dixon considered he had seconded a motion moved by Mr Higgins. Mr Coleman thought they should decide where the show ought to be held. Mr Blackett seconded Mr Hurse’s proposition, as Rangiora was naturally the centre. Kaiapoi was at the boundary of the district, as it were. At no other place than Rangiora could the exhibition be expected to be a success.

Mr Joseph Kcetley reminded the meeting that the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association had not hitherto confined its operations to the Northern district, or that the boundary of the district was the Waimakariri. It would be seen on reference to the books that a great number of the entries at the exhibitions had been received south of the Waitnakfirin', and several of the prizes went to these entries. It had been found that the most slock was entered when the shows were hold at Kaiapoi.

Mr Rickman asked if the resolution was intended to make the association a purely local one, with its limit at the Waimakariri. The Chairman said ho could not say.

Mr Rickman wished lo observe that at present (lie Government intended to hand over lo Rangiora a recreation reserve of ton acres near the railway station. Of this the committee would bo willing to give up au >

acre for the erection of suitable cattle pens for the association if they would hold their shows there. He had also to add that Mr Maude told him the Government would guarantee £SO or £IOO toward assisting this association for the first year from the funds voted by the Council. [Cheers.] The Chairman thought the meeting must be very much obliged to Mr Rickman for that information, but they had better settle the question in reference to the resolution. Mr Dixon considered the best way to do so was to discuss the matter well. For his part he would be happy to subscribe and assist if the exhibitions were to be held at Rangiora, but there were many good men who took an active part in agricultural matters, and were interested in the association who held strong opinions in reference to the question whether the shows should be held at one place or changed about, though it might bo the general opinion that Rangiora was the best, yet the matter should be well ventilated. He could bear out Mr Keetley’a remarks, that stock had been brought from south of the Waimakariri to Kaiapoi, and he could see no objection to it, as their stock would bear favorable comparison. [Hear, hear.] But if they decided to hold the show regularly at Rangiora. it would be looked on as a Rangiora show. [No, no] ; but people * would say so. (A Voice—“ We must talk them out of it then ; they might say the same of Kaiapoi.”) Mr Rickman —The same argument would apply to the Canterbury Show, held at Christchurch. Rangiora was the proper place for a show, they could give visitors every'accommodation. (A Voice —“ It’s tho capital of the north, too.”) Mr nurse noticed that it had been said outside that four-fifths of the entries at the former show were from Kaiapoi. To this he would say that might then be so, but in this district there was now a thousand sheep where there was only one at that time, and a thousand acres of grass to one then. It should be remembered that Kaiapoi Island at that time was the best district for grass pasture, and had more of it than any other district. He trusted there would be no feeling of jealousy, but that each one would put his shoulder to the wheel, and that they would elect this committee and a secretary.

The Chairman put Mr. Hnrsc’s resolution, which was declared carried, Messrs Keetley and Dixon voting against it. Mr Rickman undertook to act as secretary j)i'o tem, to receive the names of intending subscribers.

Mr Buss urged that a deal would depend on the men whom they appointed on the committee. Looking at the old list, he said there were the names o£ some good hard plodding men on it, but again there were several who were not worth anything. At the time the show was held in his paddock he noticed that several of the latter did not attend to see to the arrangements of exhibits or appear on the ground till a four horse coach at ten o’clock came swinging into the paddock. If men were elected on the committee they must be those who would not shirk work, and not be engaged in pursuits which would debar their attendance'when required. He suggested that Mr S. Coleman, Leithfield, be elected as one of the committee.

Mr Blackett seconded Mr Coleman’s nomination.

Mr Dixon thought it was premature to elect the committee.

After a slight discussion, Mr Hurse moved—“ That all those in the room be appointed a committee to collect subscriptions and have power to add to their number.”

Mr P. C. Threlkeld considered that a preliminary committee ought to be appointed. Mr Merton said he seconded Mr Threlkeld’s proposition. Mr Hurse thought that was what his motion amounted to.

Mr Threlkeld said he came to the meeting with the intention of taking part in the association when he knew exactly what was proposed to be done ; so far, received little or no information.

Mr Buss was about moving that a provisional committee be appointed, when in the midst of discussion Mr Kerr came to the rescue with the following resolution, which was moved by Mr Buss—“ That the list of persons who have agreed to join the association be appointed as a provisional committee, witb™power to add to their number ; such committee to canvass for subscriptions, and report to a public meeting of subscribers to be held as soon as possible.” [Hear, hear,] Mr Coleman, seconded the motion, which was put and carried. Mr Rickman stated that the list of persons who had promised to become members were Messrs J. Macfarlane, R. L. Higgins, M. Dixon, J. Lee, G. 11. Lee, M. Duncan, W. Burt, W. Noble, H. Blackett, J. Sinclair, A. Campbell, J. Wheeler, J. Lilly, C. G. King, 0. Merton, A. Parsons, J. Johnston, E. R. Good, H. Dudding, C. Bourkc, J. Stevenson, H. Hinge, J. Hurse, M. Jones, Pawsey, S. Coleman, W. Bramlcy, G. Cone, W. Buss, F, M. Rickman, J. Kelchcr, J. Luxton, J, Keetley, C. Skevington, and P. C. Threlkeld.

Mr Rickman agreed to act as secretary, pro tern. Mr Hurse asked leave to withdraw the words "to wit, Rangiora” from his so that it would simply affirm that it was advisable to have the association at a central’ place. The Chairman put the question, which appeared to be carried. Mr Coleman was of opinion that, as a collector of subscriptions, he was placed in a fix, as he would not be able to inform intending subscribers where the show would take place. Mr Hurse moved the motion so as to induce more members to join. Mr Dixon considered, if the show was to be held at Rangiora, it \vould be better to say so, Mr Jones said it was well understood the show would be at Rangiora, and it had been

agreed to. Mr Blackett asserted lie could not see how the motion could be carried.

The Chairman put the question again, that the words “ to wit, Rangiora ” he left out; but the question was negatived, (only Messrs Keetley and Dixon voting for the motion.

■ Mr Parsons urged that every one should do his best to get hold of members. Mr Merton moved—“ That a general meeting of members be held at the Koad Board cilice, Rangiora, at one p.m. on that day fortnight,” which was unanimously agreed to. Mr Hickman thought 1(h) or 150 subscribers would be wanted to guarantee the expenses of a show. The Chairman considered 200 would be wanted.

A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.