NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2153, 19 January 1881, Page 3

NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A special mooting of the Council of this Association was held at Roberta’ Junction Hotel, Rangiora, on Tuesday afternoon. There were present—Messrs J. McFa'lane (chairman), R. L. Higgins, R. Foster, O. Ensor, E, Mulcock, W. Pearson, A. Parsons, W. Nichollo, W. McGregor, J. Stevenson, J. Stalker, D. Mclntyre, T. Smith, T. Noble, W. Scoone, W. Laxton, J. Laxton, J. Stark, J. Mclntosh, M. Duncan, and W. Williams. The Chairman regretted that Mr Buss, secretary, had been taken suddenly unwell, and was not able to attend. Mr J. Fulton, who acted as secretary, read the correspondence relative to the; Railway tariff, that had passed between the Ashburton County Council and the Railway authorities, which had been placed before all the farmers’ clubs and Road Boards in the Selwjn, Ashley, and Ashburton counties. Captain Parsons said he understood that the Government was prepared to reduce the rates. The Chairman asked Mr Higgins to address the meeting. Mr Higgins said he was not a promoter. He thought the promoters ought to have some scheme to lay before them. Ho agreed with others that the charges were too high, and as one of the deputation from the Oust, he pointed out that Mr Maxwell, while ho had agreed to a reduction, had not quite met the case, as thoro was still a difference between the rate of 13s and proposed rate of 10s 9d per ton. The attempt to make the railways pay by the receipts from carriage was wrong, as he maintained that the returns for railway outlay ought to be estimated in accordance with the progress of the country from the railway system. He moved—“ That the present railway tariff for the carriage of grain is in the highest degree unsatisfactory, and calculated to cripple the largest industry in Canterbury.” Mr Nichollo briefly seconded the motion. Captain Parsons explained that the hon. secretary had certain matters prepared for the meeting, but unfortunately ho was not present. The motion was agreed to. Captain Parsons moved action of the Ashburton Council, an agrees with the same, and returns their thanks for the valuable statistics forwarded to them.” Mr Higgins seconded the motion, suggesting that action should be taken to further the same. He complained that the representatives of the people had not taken any notice of the matter, which was of vital importance to the farmers. This motion was also agreed to. Mr Higgins proposed—“ That the members of the district be waited upon in reference to the resolutions by a deputation of the Chairman, Messrs Higgins, Ensor, Duncan, and Parsons.” Mr W. McGregor seconded the motion, which was carried.