CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1808, 6 December 1879, Page 3

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The ordinary meeting of the committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association took place yesterday, Mr J. T. Ford in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, after which the committee proceeded to consider the correspondence.

The first letter read was from Mr E. B. Bishop, on the Bubject of sugar made from beet root, for which ho pointed out a place was set apart in the list of articles for which the association offered prizes ; but he contended that thero was nothing sufficiently definite offered to ensure exhibits in this class under present circumstances, and he suggested that it would in future bo better to strike the item out of the catalogue unless a suitable arrangement could be made with definite conditions.

The letter was ordered to be filed for future reference.

In reference to a complaint from Mr Ollivi r, one of the booth holders at the lato show, Mr Duncan moved —"That the matter be referred to the ground committee, to report to this committee at its next meeting."

Seconded by Mr Mcßeth and carried. A letter was received from Mr J. P. Jameson as follows : Christchurch, November 17th, 1879.

To the Secretary, A. and P. Association. Dear Sir, —Gratifying as the Association's show was on Wednesday list in many of its features, still I trust you will permit me to make a suggestion or two which I think would tend to improvement in futnre, leaving it to the executive to adopt or otherwise as they may consider best, and trusting that the strong interest I feol in the success and usefulness of the Association will be sufficient to excuse me for

troubling you. For Feveral years I have acted in the capacity of judge of the New Zealand manufactures, aud to this department my remarks will have reference.

Firstly. I would say that rewards, to hive the dea : red effect of promoting healthy riv.ilry and securing improvement in tho mannfactured articles, should only be given after careful inspection, ample opportunity being afforded to devoto sufficient time for uninterrupted application to the duty. But deferring the judging till the second day of the Bhow, when tho public are on tho ground eager to observe results, tendß in a manner to interfere with the leisurely consideration of some of the exhibits, and I believe that vsell considered judgments are alone of value.

I am not in ar,:y way acknowledging that these have not been secured, but they are obtained under difficulties. The awards, too, ciin only be fixed on the goods, in Eome cases, tivo or three hours after admitting the public, thereby creathg somo disappointment; perhaps tho very appearance of hurry will snggest an inadequate consideration of the merits of some of the exhibits. It is well that the exhibitors and tho public Bhonld be thoroughly satisfied that full jaitice is done. My suggestion is that the judging in this department (viz., New Zealand manufactured), would be better done on the first day. Tho second matter attracting my attention was the absence of exhibits of some articles whi-b could be well represented, and in others only a very feeble competition was elicited. Might I suggest that a committco of the association might render excellent service if during tho year, especially when the show day is drawing near, a personal application was made to persons known to be engaged in manufacturing articles of general use or consumption, inviting competition, or even entries for exhibition only.

Among tho unrepresented articles this year, may bo mentioned harness, saddlery, soap, candles, hops, fccet root sugar, flux, and single entries only of boots, shoes, baskets, and preserved fruits.

All of these, with the exception of the sngar from beet, ought to show well to the front, a large trade being done in most of them. One of the most useful and promising in the list is entirely neglected us yet ; and the association would accomplish an immense advantage to the agricultural community if it could introduce the cultivation of the beet, and secure the manufacture of sugar therefrom. Even the distribution of the seed for experimental trials of the crop, with requests for returns of produce per acre and exhibitions of the samples, would call the attention of farmers generally to the subject, and afford them a practical knowledge of the value which a sugar industry could give to the crop. It might seem to be putting the cart before the horse to be growing the crops before the consuming company was in existence, but it would be a groat feature for the promoters of such an enterprise to have certain knowledge of obtaining supplies of raw material, and tho growers would be gaining experience in properly cultivating—their first produce not necessarily being wasted, as it could be utilised for fodder. Another article for which there is a large consumption, and which might be a source of considerable profit, is honey. When in Poverty Bay I visited a farm where the sole produce is honey. _ The association has not d>-awn attention to this industry. My last suggestion is with regard to fostering colonial manufactures by the State. Much is said about protection, for and against, but I believe the Government would di a great service by offering prizes, or liberally supplementing those given by tho association, and themselves aominating ono or more of the judges. This plan would give a more official character to the awards, and no doubt enhance their value, thus prompting a more ready response by exhibitors.

Perseverance in this cause, and encouraging in every possible way tie consumption by the public of the colonial manufactured goods, where merit warrants the recommendation, would result, I believe, in securing a measure of permanent prosperity which we all so truly desire. Please accept apology for tho lengthy infliction on your patience, and believe me to remain, Yours faithf nlly, J. P. Jameson. Mr Ollivier endorsed what the writer said in reference to the judging in that particular class. After some conversation,

Mr Hill suggested that tho matter should be discussed at a later date.

Mr Ollivier quite agreed that the present time was rather early to consider what should be done next year, but he thought it necossary to record his views, gained by experience, as possibly he might not be present when the question was finally raised. The Chairman said past experience had taught him that there was no better time for pointing out defects than immediately after the show. [Hear, hear.] On the motion of Mr Hill, it was resolved—- " That Mr Jameson be thanked for his letter, and that it be considered when the oataloguo for next year is being arranged." Attention was drawn by Mr Hill to the gambling tables on the ground last show day, as a sort of legalised robbery which should not in future be permitted. The question was also deferred for future consideration. A letter was received from Mr Packer in reference to the awards in bone manure.

Tho letter was received with thanks, and, on the motion of Mr Ollivier, the consideration thereof was deferred till a future date. A sub-committee was formed to inquire into the subject matter of a complaint with respect to the awards in implements. Some routine matters were disposed of, and accounts passed. The committee then adjourned.