NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2025, 20 August 1880, Page 3

NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of members of this association was held at the Road Board offioe, Rangiora, on Thursday. Present—Hon. H. B. (Treason (patron), Messrs J. McFarlane (ohairman), H. Blackett, A. Parsons, P. O. Threlkold, E. Muloock, W. Williams, J. Luxton, W. Luxton, O. Skevington, M. Jones, W. Pearson, W. McGregor, J. Pulton, W. H. Nioholls, W. Smart, Q. Cone, J. Roberts, W. A. Burt, H. Moody, D. Mclntyre, J. Stalker, J. Hurse, M. Duncan, J. Stevenson, G. Walker, D. Todd, J. Manning, and W. Bubs (hon. sec.)

Mr Buss said that as treasurer he had to present a fair balance-sheet, but could not congratulate the association on any very great amount of progress, as the amount of balance on hand was only about equal to that with which the season was commenced. There had been a slight deficiency on the sale of the privileges on the ground, or otherwise there would have been a larger balance. Tho amount for members’ subscriptions was very satisfactory, which was greatly due to the activity pf one or two gentlemen, notably the manager of the Colonial Bank. It would not have been surprising, with the bad times last year, if there had boon a con siderable falling off. The accounts were duly audited by Messrs Blackett and Aherno, who in their report stated that having performed that duty for six years they desired to say they found the books well and systematically kept. The auditors regretted that persons who promised special prizes did not assist the secretary by paying same before the show took place. The statement of receipts showed a total of £629 8s 6d, including balance from last year, £75 11s 5d ; gate fees, £92 ; entrance fees, £115; subscriptions, £148; private prizes, £7l; horse parade, £3O. The principal item of expenditure was prizes, £3OB 7s.

The balance-sheet was unanimously adopted. The Ohairman said tho next business was the election of officers, and before that was gone on with perhaps members might wish to offer some suggestions affecting the interests of the society. In reference to tho office of president, he thought it was time there was a change. [No.] Well, he was quite of that opinion. On the motion of Mr Huree, seconded by Mr Blackett, it was resolved that tho Hon, H. B. Gresson be re-eleoted patron. The Hon. Mr Gresson thanked the meeting. Although the office he had been elected to was a sinecure, he was sensible of the honor of being connected with this association. He then moved that Mr McFarlane be re-elected president. That gentleman told them last year that he sought to be relieved from the cares of office, but as he had acted so well for the welfare of the society, and it was the universal feeling in the room that he should bo re-eleoted, ho trusted he would consent to act.

Mr Blackett seconded. He considered it would be a great lose to the association if they were to lose the services of their muchesteemed president. The Chairman consented to be reflected, and the motion was unanimously agreed to by the meeting. Captain Parsons moved—“ That the four vice-presidents of last year be re-elected.” It was suggested that the names be submitted, when Messrs Throlkeld, Higgins, and Blackett were re-elected, and Mr W. Nicholls was elected in place of Mr J. E. Brown, he having left the district, on the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr Cone.

The general committee were elected as follows: Messrs Atkinson, Boys, Bell Busch, Courage, Coup, Campbell, Dalziel, Dick, Douglas, Edwards, Ensor, Eulton, Foster, Greenwood, Howson, Harper, Lse, Luxton, McDonald, McFarlane, Pashby, Parnham, Hobs, Bolleston, Stevenson, Scott, Sorimgeour, Williams, Wheeler, Walls, Wotherspoon, Young, Mclntosh, Mclntyre, Todd, Moody, Roberts, Orossley, Stalker, Manning, Milne, McGrath and Johnston. Captain Parsons moved, Mr Jones seconded —“ That Mr Buss be re-elected hon. see. and treasurer.”

Mr Buss said he was much obliged to the movers for the kind manner in which they had referred to his services. He knew, however, that he had not done so much as ho ought, but this was because with his increasing business he found his time so fully occupied, and if they could get any one else to act, as ho did not covet the office, they were perfectly welcome to do so. He hoped that the coming show would produce healthy competition, as, reviewing that of last year, it seemed to show very little advancement on former ones, except probably in respect of tho implements shown. It was advisable to put as much energy into the undertaking as posaiblo, for if they were to drop it other places would soon take it up. While the show was a good thing for the district, it was to the advantage of Eangiora in particular. The motion was unanimously agreed to. On tho motion of Mr Muloock, votes of thanks were accorded to the president and secretary, and on the motion of Mr Buss, to the patron, vice-presidents, and committee of last year. Offers were made of paddocks for show ground from Mr J. Luxton, near the Plough Inn, and from Mr Buss, opposite the former ground. The selection of a paddock was left to bo reported on by a committee of Messrs Jones, Smart, Gone, and Duncan, their report to be presented at next meeting. Captain Parsons moved, and Mr Jones seconded—“ That the annual show be held on Thursday, November 4th.” Mr Walker said that the Leeaton show was arranged for that date. Mr Threlkeld observed that it was now well known that the Northern show was fixed to he held on tho first Thursday of November, and the Leeston people had been informed of the same. The Chairman considered it would bo unwise to give way, as the Eangiora show was the oldest institution, and it would show too much leniency to give in. The Hon. Mr Grcsson did not like it to Jgo forth to the public that there was any opposition, as it ought to be the cesire of all of them to promote the success of every exhibition, but it should be shown that the date of tho Northern show was already fixed by a resolution. He would be very sorry to see anything tike antagonism shown to other like exhibitions. Mr Walker thought it the show was held earlier it might give advantage to exhibitors in preparing stock for the Canterbury show. The Chairman pointed, out that there was only about one or two exhibitors went from the north to that show, and that argument hardly held. Mr Skevington moved that the day be not changed. On the question being put it was resolved to hold the show on the usual day, which falls on November 4th.

On motion of Mr Hurse, seconded by Hon. Mr Gresson, it was resolved to hold a horse parade on September 21st, an amendment made by Mr Stevenson, seconded by Mr Stalker, for the 28th being lost.

A committee of Messrs Stevenson, Jones, Mulcock, Cone, Lnxton, Smart, Kay, and Lilly was appointed to manage the parade. Messrs Jones, King, Mnloook, Johnston, Skevington, Duncan, McGregor, and Fulton were appointed a committee to revise the catalogue of the show.

Mr Horse pointed out the necessity for cattle pens and landing platform at the railway station, and on Hon, Mr Gres eon’s motion it was decided to write to Mr O. O. Bowen asking him to draw the attention of the Minister of Works to the promise made to have this accommodation provided. The meeting then adjourned till Thursday, September 2nd.