AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1888, 12 March 1880, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural arid Pastoral Association was held last night at the offices, Hereford street. Mr J. T. Pord, president of the Association, occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. The minutes of the last annual general meeting having been read, Mr M. Murphy, the secretary, read the following KEPORT. The committee are pleased to be able to report that the Association has continued to prosper, notwithstanding the general depression which haß prevailed during the past year. The exhibition held in November last was one of the most successful the Association has ever held. The majority of the classes showed an excess of entries over the previous year, and, taken as a whole, the increase is very marked. In 1879 there were 1130 entries, as against 1023 in 1878, giving an increase of 107. The general public attenled in Urge numbers on the second day, when 15,000 were computed to be present. The takings at tlie gates were £95 3s 8d losb than the previous_ year.XThis is mainly attributable to the rednction made in the charge for entrance on the second day. His Excellency Sir Hercules Robinson and suite were present on both days, taking a keen interest in the exhibition, and carefully inspecting the various classes. The entries of stock were as follows: —In sheep, 316 ; cattle, 191; horses, 131; pigs, 17; poultry, 31; sheep dogs, 5; implements, 294; dairy produce, 70; New Zealand manufactures, 109; and in wool, 2. The quality of the animals exhibited fully maintained the previous standard of excellence. The increased numbers and superior quality of the Bhorthorn cattle were especially noticeable, and may be said to have formed tho great feature of that section of the show, as representatives of some of the most fashionable blood in Victoria wore present. The free pa?s system in existence for Btock returning unsold from the show continues to be a great convenience. The annual parade of stallions was held, as usual, on the grounds of the association, on Saturday, the 27th September laßt. The number of entries were the same as for the parade of 1878. viz., 84. The quality and condition of most of the animals was very superior. The ram fair took place on Thursday, the 6th March, and ewe fair on the following day. The total number of rams catalogued was 1567, and 286 ewes.

The second volume of the " New Zealand Stud Book for Draught Horses " has been published, and contains a tolerably correct description of 131 Btallions and 388 mares. The third volume will be published as soon as a sufficient number of new entries sre received to cover the coßt of printing. Breeders are therefore requested to send in entries of stock with full particulars of pedigraa. The " Herd Book." It is contemplated to bring out the sth vol. of this work as soon as a sufficient number of entries have been received to cover cost. Owners of stock will do well to send in their entries as soon as possible, with full particulars. A trial of reapers and binders was held on the 26th January last at Burnside, Fendaltown, in a paddock kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr Boag. Six machines entered for the contest, viz., the Wood, Osborne, and McCormick wire binders, and Johnston, Deering, and Wood's twine binder. The judges awarded the association's prize cup, value to the Johnston twine binder, acd highly commended the Wood wire binder. Your committee are of opinion that the association has fulfilled its mission in this direction, on the grounds that the harvesters are now sufficiently known and established in the country, and would tuggeßt the advisability of offering a handsome premium for the successful introduction of steam cultivators . .

The prize books from England last year arrived in good condition. A number of them have been taken as prizes, and have given general satisfaction. A further supply has been ordered from England, including several standard works, which are to ba added to the library as works of reference for the use of the members of the association.

Twelve monthly and two special of the general committee have been held during the past year, besides several meetings of subcommittees.

The treasurer's accounts and the books of the association have been duly audited by Mr T. B. Craig, accountant, without charge to the association, and to that gentleman the thanks of the association are due. The income of the association for the past year is shown to be .£23'.'9 6s 6d, and the expenditure .£2076 7s Jd, leaving a balance of .£252 19a 5d in favor of the year's operations. The balance-sheet shows that the accumulated funds to the credit of the different accounts of the association now stand tit .£5619 7s id, independent of the increased value of the association's freehold property. The invested shares of the Permanent Loan Investment Association are now worth .£275 10s, paid up to July, 1882. The sum of .£7O has been deposited with the same association, making, with the .£2OO previously invested, .£270 at 8 per cent, per annum, payable half-yearly ; and the balance of cash in the Union Bank of Australia, Cbristchurch, is .£327 15s sd. There are at present 301 names on the books as members of the association (exclusive of 143 life members); 113 subscriptions for the past year still remain unpaid, and n j doubt a considerable per centage of these will be paid during the comiDg season. Considering the objects of the association and >he work already accomplished by it, your committee trust that, with the return of a more pro'perons sUte of affairs, the general public will cheerfolly support the further efforts of the assoo'ation in promoting the agricultural and pastoral interests of the country. A sufficient numbsr of names have been attached to the petition still lying at the association's offices, praying the Governor to incorporate the association uoder the agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act, 1877, which would give the association a recognised legal states; and, besides other advantages, the annual report of its proceedings would bo laid on the table of both Houses of thereby bringing the operations of the association prominently before the colony.

The "New Zealand Coumtry Journal," has now entered upon its fourth year with, we are happy to be able to say, brightening prospects, notwithstanding the depression already alluded to. The Journal is now noarly Belf-sup-porting, the subscription list has steadily increased. While expressing their thanks to those gentlemen who have so generously conI tributed original artioles, the editing committee earnestly solicit further contributions from those engaged in rural pursuits. t The Committee desire to place on record their appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the Association by the gentlemen who have acted as judges at the Association's shows, and who have, in some instances, travelled considerable distances to do so. They also desire to acknowledge the services of those members who, by their valuable assistance on the show grounds, have greatly contributed to the successful resnlts achieved.

During the past year several important improvements have been effected on the grounds of the Association. The most important perhaps being the erection of an additional number of horse boxes ; also, a substantial cottage for the Association's caretaker. Other necessary improvements are in contemplation, with a view to rendering the arrangements for the annual exhibitions still more complete, and will be carried out as funds permit. The Committee-room of the has been kept well supplied with papers and periodicals, which have been freely resorted to by members daring the year. The reference library is also found to be a great convenience, and will be more generally used as it becomes better known. J. T. Ford, President. Mr Boag called attention to the faot that as regarded the paragraph in the report relative to the trial of reapers and binders, as he thought there was some mistake, as the judges had awarded the prize to the Johnston twine binder and had highly commended the McOormick wire binder.

Tho Secretary explained that this paragraph in the report was in orror, and that it should have read that the McOormick wire binder was commended.

The President said the required alteration would be made in the report before it was issued. Mr A. Duncan said that he should move that the whole of the reports which had been printed should be withdrawn, as it was most desirable that anything whioh went out from the association should be strictly correot. Therefore, though it should oost the association £lO or £l2 to print further reports they should do it.

The President pointed out that if the report was withdrawn, then the meeting would have to adjourn, as they would have nothingbefore them. Mr. Mitchell asked whether there was not a report of the judges handed in. The President replied that there was no written report, but ho thought that ifc would be advisable to have a written report from the judges handed in to the Society. Mr. Wilkin moved " thst the report be adopted, subjeot to the tenth paragraph respecting tho trial of reapers and binders being altered, so as to read simply that the prize was awarded to the Johnston string binder." He did not for one moment doubt Mr. Boag, but there was no record of anything beyond the award of tho first prize. Mr. Norman seconded the motion.

Mr. Boag said that what was done waa that several members of the Association and Committee, on the ground, seeing that so many machines were competing, asked the judges to give an award as regarded the other machines beyond the winner, and this was done. The President said that this no doubt waa so, but no award had been handed in by the judges beyond tho winner of the prize. Mr Duncan thought that tho judges had power to modify their awards. Mr Wilkin said thp,t if there were " oommonded " and " highly commended " awards made, it was only justice that the association should record it in their official report. Mr Mcßeath pointed out that though no instructions had been given to the judges to award " commended" or " highly commendod," Mr Boag had stated that the judges were asked by some of the committee to make some further awards beyond the first prize. Mr Henderson corroborated what had been stated by Mr Mcßeath. Mr G-rigg asked -whether there was any definite record of the awards beyond tho first prize. If so, he did not see why it should not go into the report, because it would not affect the award of the prize given by the association. The record had appeared in the public papers, and if they left out a portion of it they would be ignoring what really took place. If clearly ascertainable, he thought that the record of '.the trial should appear, and he would move as an amendment—- " That the clause of the report be amended as follows :—The judges awarded the prize of £25 to the Johnßton twine binder, and also highly commended the McOormick wire binder, and oommended the Deering twine binder."

The President read from the report in the local newspapers, which stated that the prize was awarded to the Johnston harvester, the McOormick wire binder highly commended, and tho Deering string binder commended. Mr Boag seconded the amendment. Mr Wilkin withdrew his motion in favour of the amendment, which was then put and carried.

Mr J. E. Parker asked whether steps would be taken to present the petition for incorporation under the Act of the General Assembly. The President said that this would be done.

Mr D. Craig, the hon. treasurer, then gave a short resume of the financial position of the Association.

The balance sheet was then put and adopted. The liabilities and aßßets showed the following results as at January 31st, 1880 :—Liabilities —Private prizes, £53 6s; Society's prizes, £198; Oaks Sweepstakes for 1880, £9; sundry creditors, £302 18s lid. Balance—Capital account, 31st January, 1879, £4851 2s 2d ; ,'from revenue, 31st January, 1880, £lßl 16a 4d; "N. Z. Country Journal," as per account, 31st January, 1879, £239 15s 7d j balance, 31st January, 1880, £7l 3s Id ; reserve fund, £275 10s ; total, £6182 12s Id. Assets—Freehold land, as at 31st January, 1879, £3479 13s9d ; buildings, £llsl4slid; office furniture, £145 17s 4d ; medal dies, £32 10s; prize books on hand, £ICS 13s; herd books, £lO 8s 8d; debtors to "N.Z. Country Journal," and other accounts, £383 19s; deposits at interest (Permanent Loan and Investment Association), £270; cash at Union Bank, £327 15s 5d ; reserve fund in investment shares, £275 10s ; total, £6182 12j Id.

The President said that they had great reason to congratulate themselves on their financial position. Notwithstanding that they bad done a great deal to the ground, they had £252 19j 5d to their credit to begin the year. The F.ext business before the meeting was the election of officers, and he must say that he desired to thank them most cordially for the honor they had done him in electing him as president for the past year, and he should be very happy to do all he could to help the new president to conduct the business of the association.

Mr Craig desired to point out that the president had made a Blight mistake in stating that they had £252 19a 5d to the good, notwithstanding improvements to the grounds. The fact was that the amount spoken of was the net result of the cash transactions of the year. Mr B. Wilkin then in complimentary terms proposed Mr Andrew Duncan as presidont of the association for the next year. [Hear, hoar.] Mt Henderson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Duncan in returning thanks for the honor conferred upon him that evening, said that, without egotiem, the Oantorbury Agricultural and Puttoral was the premier association of New Zealand. They had established a draught stud book, a herd book, and the "New Zealand Country Journal," and other associations looked to them to take thoir cue in matters with referenoe to agricultural and pastoral pursuits. He trusted that they, a 3 members, wSuld aid and assist tbe efforts of the committee and himself to advance tbe best interests of the association and agriculture in general. The other efficers elected were —Vice-presi-dent, Mr J. B. Hill; hon. treasurer (reelected), Mr D. Oraig. The latter gentleman, in returning thanks for his re-election, took occasion to pay a high tribute of praise to the secretary, Mr M. Murphy. A ballot was taken for the election of committee, when the following gentlemen were elected :—Messrs J. Anderson, jun., W.Bosg, T. Bruce, P. Cunningham, J. Deans, J. Ferguson, J. T. Ford, S. aarforth, J. Gilmour, J. Grieg. J. Gould, J. Gobbie, W. Henderaon, John Hall, J. T. Matson, John Mann, Hugh MclJwraith, J. Moßeath, H. P. Murray-Aynslev, A. W. Money, W. Norman, B. Sutherland, R. Wilkin, J. Walls. Votes of thaoks to the scrutineers, Messrs Hill and Allan, and to the retiring president, concluded the business.