NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1075, 7 December 1877, Page 3

NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

An adjourned meeting of the members of this association was held at the Road Board office, Rangiora, on Thursday. Twenty-two persons were present. The president, Mr J. Macfarlane, occupied the chair. He stated that if any member had any matter to bring forward now was the time to do it. The accounts would be presented by the secretary at the annual meeting. Mr A. McDonald drew attention to the fact that in the light horse class at the late show one gentleman, who was a steward, had been also an exhibitor and also called in to act as umpire by the judge in one case wherein a dispute arose. The president stated that the steward referred to did not take part in the judging of his own horses, but he (the president) was asked to provide a referee in one class and he called on Mr Hurse to act. With reference to the judgment in the particular class, he pointed out that the decision in reference to the horses in it was endorsed in the Canterbury Show. Mr McDonald had drawn attention to the matter in the hope it would not occur again. Mr Hurse explained his conduct, and maintained that if there was any cause for complaint againstihim it ought to have been made by the owner of Sorcerer, who was said to be aggrieved, and in proper order to the committee. [Cheers.] Mr J. Guild considered the explanation of the president and Mr Hurse quite satisfactory. [Hear, hear.] Mr McDonald complained that on the day of the show the Rangiora tradesmen had not closed their stores, and the country storekeepers had been very disgusted to find this was the case. Mr Buss said it would look better of the Rangiora people if they had closed. Mr Merton agreed with the secretary's view of the matter. Mr Cone and others stated that they did not know what shops were kept open. The President said, as all business was over he hoped there would be no animosities shown, and that the northern or the Amberley gentlemen would still take a hearty interest in the welfare of the association. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings, several members asking, amid some laughter, why the meeting had been convened at all, as there was no business to bring forward.