CORN EXCHANGE AND FARMERS’ CLUB.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1245, 4 March 1878, Page 3

CORN EXCHANGE AND FARMERS’ CLUB.

Tut: Opening Grain Sale. ■ The initiatory auction sale of grain under the auspices of the Canterbury Corn Exchange, was conducted on Saturday afternoon by Messrs H. Matson and Co., at their wool and grain stores, Cashel street. • The firm marked the occasion by giving a luncheon in one of their commodious stores, to which some 500 guests sat down. The place had been hung with flags, and on the walls were placards inscribed with the mottos “ Success to the Corn Exchange,” “The Mercantile Interest,” “The Shipping Interest,” and “ Prosperity to the Agricultural and Pastoral Interest.” Colonel Brett occupied the chair, and when the tables had been cleared, announced that letters of apology for non-attendance had been received from Messrs Holies ton and Toss will. He then proposed i lie health of “Her Majesty, the Prince of Wales, and the Royal Family,” and that of “ His Excellency the Governor,” which toasts were duly honored. Captain Willis proposed the “ Parliament of New Zealand,” coupled with the names of Colonel Brett, Mr Peacock, and Mr J. B. Brown. Colonel Brett, in returning thanks, took occasion to advise the use of the watch word “ Prenez gard.” The farmers should take care at the next election, he said, to put into Parliament the best men. After an earnest speech, in which he eulogised the occupation of farming as the “ back bone of the country,” he resumed his scat. The Hon. J. T. Peacock briefly responded. Mr J. E. Brown acknowledged the toast on behalf of the assembly, which he characterised as second to none (except the Victorian) for its power of talk. Mr Buss proposed “ The producing interests of New Zealand.” In a brief speech he referred to the rapid advance made by Canterbury during the eighteen years he had been here. It was no longer considered a place in which none but squatters could thrive. Great as had been its advance during the last six or seven years, it would still further advance in the future. He trusted the toast would be drunk with three times three. He coupled the toast with, the names of Messrs Charles Bourne and W. A, Brown. Mr Bourne in responding spoke of the difficulties farmers had to contend with, but thanks to the efforts of Messrs Matson one of those difficulties—that of getting a fair price for their produce was in a fair way of being removed. He had during the twentysix years of his colonial life here known many variations in the price of grain. Ho remembered when there was a difference of 6d per bushel between the prices which could be obtained on opposite sides of the street. Mr Brown in responding spoke of the pluck shown by farmers. As an instance he mentioned the cultivation of the Rakaia district which had been deemed fit only to raise sheep upon; but, as he believed, would be found capable of producing wheat equal to any grown in New Zealand or in the world. He believed that the Corn Exchange would prove to be an institution most beneficial to (lie farming interest. Mr J. E. Brown proposed “Success to the Canterbury Corn Exchange,” coupling with the toast the name of Captain Willis, chairman of the committee. Captain Willis, in acknowledging the toast, gave a brief history of the growth of the Corn Exchange from a small nucleus. The benefits of such an institution were well known. He need only point to the catalogue of that day’s sale to illustrate them. The catalogue showed for the opening sale 25,000 bushels of wheat; the quantity would doubtless be much larger next year, when the Exchange would have extended its ramifications to the whole of New Zealand. The farmers, as had.been said, were the back bone of the country. They paid the piper—but was it necessary that they should always pay ■die piper? He would say —no. They should see that they returned to the Assembly men to represent their views, and then they would got what they wanted —fair play, and they would not be subjected as they had been to extortionate railway charges. Mr Tosswill proposed “The Commercial and Shipping Interests of New Zealand,” coupled with the names of Messrs H, S. Smith and John Inglis. These gentlemen responded at some length. Mr Hennuh also briefly acknowledged the toast. Col. Brett proposed the “ Messrs Matson and Co.” in highly eulogistic terras. Mr Matson, senior, responded briefly, and Mr Matson, junior, at greater length. Col. Brett proposed “ The Health cf Mr Bateman, Secretary to the Corn Exchange.” The success of the institution was, he believed, due very much to the exertions of that gentleman. Mr Bateman returned thanks, and the company then adjourned to the adjoh i>g store, in which the auction was about to take place. In a few minutes Mr Matson, junior, mounted the rostrum and submitted to competition some 40,000 bushels of grain and seeds. ____________ After a Reaper Trial —The whout_ crop on which the reapers and binders were tried at Kaiapoi was threshed last week, and yielded sixty-four bushels per acre. The owner of the land and the laborers greatly commended the work of the prize machine, as the sheaves were well tied and easily handled. After this proof of the excellence of the implement, farmers need be under no apprehension that an f crop 1 wiU be toe hoavy for it© powers.