AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 580, 28 April 1876, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The usual monthly meeting of the com* mittee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Thunday afternoon. Present—Hon John Hall (president), Messrs Mitchell, Henderson, Norman, A. Duncan, Sutherland, Holly, ITantham, M'Beth, J. T. Ford, Hill, Boag, Bowe, J. Anderson, junr, Wilkin, Bruce. The secretary reported that he had com* municated with the treasurer of the association, Mr Craig, as to the books kept by the association, and found that there were only two. He would suggest that a new set of books should be opened, more particularly as the reserve fund was to be paid. Several accounts were passed and ordered to be paid.

A letter was read from Messrs Hannah and Co, proprietors of the Licensed Victuallers' Gazette , stating that they would be happy to publish the papers read at the meetings of the Association, and preferring to become the mouthpiece of the association, as they were wishful to make their journal interesting to the farmer.

It was resolved that the letter be acknowledged, and that Messrs Hannah and Co be informed that they have the same opportunity to find out what was being dope at the meetings of the association as other papers, and that they could send reporters on the occasion of the meetings. Mr John Anderson, jun, said he desired to bring before the committee the propriety, considering the great liberality of Mr George Gould towards the Association, of electing Mr Gould’s two sons as life members of the Association. He had great pleasure in moving—“ That Messrs Joseph and Charles Gould be elected as life members of the association in view of the great liberality of their father towards the association,”

Mr Wilkin had very much pleasure in seconding the motion, which was carried unanimously. The chairman reported that the sub-com-mittee had gone through the catalogue, and had made certain alterations, which could now be gone into. Mr Ford said that he desired to bring a matter of importance before the committee, viz, the necessity of increasing the value of the prizes in the same way as those in Oamaru and Timaru. There the associations gave silver cups and pieces of plate for the largest prize takers in the various classes. The prize was awarded on points, viz,, first prize counted three, a second two, and a third or highly commended one. The exhibitor with the gr< atest number of points did not take the przes given by the association for the various items which went to make up his number of points, but took a twenty guinea cup or piece of plate of such value. Breeders of stock in other parts of the colony, especially in the South, had expressed to him a desire to come up and compete at their shows, which they would do if the prizes were made as he had suggested. He thought the system under which they had been working had gone on admirably, but he, in the interests of outsiders who wished to come in and compete, had brought it under the notice of the committee. He should move—“ That at future exhibitions of the association silver cups be given to the largest prize takers in the several classes of sheep, cattle) horses, implements, and Zealand manufactures, such cup to be in lieu of the prizes to which such prize takers may be entitled.”

Mr Holly thought it was a pity to go in for this schema now, as it would encourage the great breeders to go in and almost crush the smaller exhibitors, though not entitled to so much credit as the smaller exhibitor for their stock. In the south breeders like the Otago and Canterbury Association and Hon Matthew Holmes had swept away all the prizes, and so it would be fierp. He, as a small exhibitor, had no chance of getting the cup, though he might take the first prize for the best animal, but he would be defeated on the points, not having enough stock to do it. Their present system had worked well throughout, and he should be sorry to see it altered, as to carry out the scheme proposed by Mr Ford would be manifestly unfair to the supporters of the association to allow one or two men to come in and sweep the prizes away as they were bound to do. Mr Fantham thoroughly endorsed all that hfd fallen from Mr Holly, as he felt that it would be very unwise to alter their present system. Mr Ford replied, contending that it would make their association take a higher place than now, and would not prevent the smaller men having a chance.

The motion was then put and negatived by 10 to 3.

The committee then proceeded to consider the prize catalogue, as revised by the subcommittee. In fat sheep the condition was altered from the words “ to be judged according to value per lb to a butcher,” to “ according to quality and weight combined.” The same alteration was made in the fat cattle class. In the class for mare in foal or with foal at foot, the words “ or which may have produced a foal since the Ist September prior to show," wore propose*} to be iniertf}

by Mr Holly, and the proposition was agreed to. In the draught classes, separate classes were made for geldings foaled since Ist July, 1874, and since July Ist, 1875, In carriage horses, classes 29 and 30 were struck out. In hackney entires the first prize was raised, and in one or two other classes of carriage horses. In implements an extra prize was given for plough with sub-soiler, and also prizes for reaping and mowing machines. The prize for waggon on American principle was struck out, In the class for ale the conditions as to price and the barley of which it was made, were struck out. In New Zealand manufactures two new classes were proposed, viz, best assortment of flannel, silver medal; and best assortment of blankets, silver medal. In the general regulations the sub-committee recommended that the pedigrees of animals should be confined in the catalogue to the sire and dam, grandsire and grandam, and name of breeder.

Mr Wilkin said that in speaking of the reserve fund at last meeting he had omitted to provide for the investment of the funds. He would now move, “ That a sub-com-mittee, comprising the President, Messrs Andrew Duncan, J. T. Ford, Wilkin, and the treasurer, be appointed to provide for the due investment of the reserve fund.” Mr Henderson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The suggestion of the secretary as to the procuring of the books was referred to the above committee. The meeting then adjourned.