CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 335, 9 July 1875, Page 3

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the committee of the above was held on Thursday, at 2.30 p.m. Present— Mr R. Wilkin (in the chair), Messrs Norman, Henderson, Ferguson, Garforth, W. Gebbie, Mcßeth, A. Duncan, J. Mann, 0; Newton, Freestone, J. T. Ford (hon. sec.). The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed.

A number of accounts were passed for payment.

The following correspondence was read : From the secretary of the 0.J.C., forwarding the resolutions passed at a recent meeting of the Jockey Club, with reference to the date of the annual show of the association.

The chairman said he thought that as this was a very important matter, it would be as well that the committee should be specially called to consider it.

Mr Ford said that Captain Clogstoun, Colonel Packe, and Mr Griffith had waited on him with reference to the matter, and had asked that the association should settle their date as soon as possible, so as to enable the club to get out their programme. The chairman said that the matter was one whichhadbeen settled at a late committee meeting, when it was decided to hold the show on the Prince of Wales 1 Birthday, as usual. Therefore it was, he thought, necessary to call a special meeting. Mr Ford thought that the holding of the show on the Prince of Wales’s birthday was a matter of convenience. Last year it fell on a Monday, which was very inconvenient. This year it was on a Tuesday, which was convenient. He thought they should fix their show quite irrespective of anybody’s birthday. They should fix it on the Wednesday and Thursday in the first and second week of November, and they would not suffer.

Mr Wilkin differed from this. He thought if the show was not held on the Prince of Wales’s birthday it would be a loss of some £2OO to the Association. [Hear, hear.] Mr Ferguson agreed with the chairman. He thought the matter should be deferred to a fuller meeting. Mr Duncan asked whether, for some years the Jockey Club had a bye day ? The chairman said that the Jockey Club had held their races some years back in January, but subsequently in November ; however, a deputation from the Association had waited upon the club to ask them to have a bye day, which had been done ; the Prince of Wales’s birthday being given up to the Association for their show.

Mr Ford pointed out that after their midwinter show a good number of racing men would be present in Christchurch, and he thought that it would be as well to have a meeting at which all sides of the question might be discussed. The chairman suggested that the meeting might be held at the Drillshed on the day of the midwinter show to consider the question. Mr Ford moved—“ That a special meeting of the committee be held at the Drillshed on the day of the midwinter show, at 2 p.m.; the members of the deputation of the C.J.O. to be invited to attend to consider and discuss and settle the days of the November show.’’

Mr 8. Garforth said he understood from members of the Jockey Club that they did not desire the association to change their days unless they succeeded in getting the Thursday proclaimed a public holiday by the Government.

Mr Henderson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The secretary read a letter from Mr E. B. Bishop, pointing out that cattle could not pass through the city on the occasion of the midwinter show, and asking if the Montreal street bridge were opened for that day, would it be an advantage to the association. Mr Henderson thought it would be a great convenience if the Mayor would open the bridge for that day. It was resolved that the secretary thank Mr Bishop for his communication, and request the Mayor to open the Montreal street bridge for led stock going to and from the show.

Mr Ford suggested that it would be necessary to have a man stationed at the bridge to keep carters with loaded drays passing over the bridge. It was agreed to do so. Mr Ford read the list of acceptances of the office of judges by the gentlemen who had been asked to act.

The chairman said that the secretary had received a letter from Dunedin, asking whether the competition for the essay on ergot was open to the whole colony. He thought, therefore, it was necessary that advertisements should be inserted in the local papers, and also in the principal papers of the colony. They might get a slip of the advertisement printed off by the local papers, and sent to the various parts of the colonies. He would move —“That advertisements be inserted in the local papers, and the Dunedin, Wellington, Napier, and Auckland papers." The motion was carried.

Mr Henderson’s suggestion as to the association giving a cup for competition in the various districts of the province was discussed.

Mr Henderson said he thought it adyisaable to hare three districts in the province, open to all comers in Canterbury, the rules being framed by the association. The chairman said that he thought the matter had batter stand over until next year, when it might be arranged so as to to be ready by the opening of the next season. Mr Henderson said that he proposed that the districts should draw for the first and second year’s money, and then let it go by rotation. By this means each of the districts

would get the grant once in three years. The association should see that the ploughing matches were held near a railway station.

After some further discussion, it was agreed to postpone the matter until next year. The meeting then proceeded to appoint class stewards and marshals for the midwinter show

Messrs H. P. Murray-Aynsley, Mann, Mcßeth, and Bruce were appointed as a subcommittee to arrange for a dinner on the evening of the mid-winter show. Mr Garforth gave notice that at a future meeting he would move that light horses and carriage hackneys should be shown in carriages and traps at the November show. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr Gammack asking him if the Prebbleton people would consent to alter the date of Messrs Knight and Tosswill’s meeting from Thursday evening, as it would clash with the dinner of the association. The meeting then adjourned.