A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2198, 12 March 1881, Page 3

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

i The annual meeting of the Canterbury Agri- ) cultural and Pastoral Association took place l yesterday evening. There was a good atten i auce of members. Mr J. K. Hill, president, ! occupied the chair. . , i The usual preliminary business having been ( disposed of, the annual report of the committee . was read as follows : . „ .. Your committee have much satisfaction in - porting that the November show of 18&0 was, . many respects, the most successful that dob yt-s been held in the association's ground, 1 The number of visitors was larger thanon any i former occasion, including many who had co from distant parts of New Zealand otber , colonies. It was computed that 17,000 perso s wore present on the grounds on the s ® c s l ? a The money taken at the gates amounted to 17s 7d, as compared with £7lB 2s 3d taken in 1 * • The entries of stock, &c., were as follows Sheep, 208; cattle, 189; horses, 147 ; pigs, 36; poultry, SO; dogs, 10; implements, 34«; dai y produce, 92 ; cured and preserved meats, 4o ; new Zealand manufactures, 144. Total, 1310, as compared with 11G3 in 1879, . . , The quality of the exhibits in most of the classes of stock was generally admitted to fully sustain the character which the exhibits of this association had previously acquired. The short-horn classes were again graced with representatives of some o:ttne moat fashionable blood in Victoria. The exhibition of implements was highly satisfactory, both as regards number and description, and they miea a well packed space of two acres. The snow of New Zealand manufactures and dairy produce was conspicuous for its superiority over that of any former year, the latter particularly so. The building, which was erected during the year for these exhibits, gave great satisfaction to exhibitors ana tne public generally. , The new plan of letting sites for the exhibition of colonial manufactures and other articles, for which there were no c'.asses in the catalogue, proved a great success, and was the means of providing an attractive addition to the show. The annual parade of stallions was held on tuo grounds of the association on Saturday, September 25th. There wore eighty-four paraded. ihe qunlity and condition of the animals were quite equal to that of former occasions. The ram and ewe fair took place on i nnrsday, March 11th, and following day. The total number of rams catalogued was 1714, and of ewes 103. The fifth volume of the “Canterbury Herd

Book" has been published, and contains, as far ai can be ascertained, a correct description of 10 bolls and 492 cows. . The third volume of the “New Zealand Stut Book of Draught Horses” is now in course of pre paration, and will be published as soon as sufncieni entries have been received to cover cost; and it it to be hoped that breeders will not be backward it supplying the editing committee with such addi tional entries and particulars as will enable then to launch a publication that will be of great use tc breeders and farmers generally. A trial of gorso-cutters was held on the Bth ol November last. The machines competing wer« those which had been manufactured and entered for competition by Messrs Eeid and Gray and Andrews and Beavan. In the opinion of the judges neither of the machines worked satisfactorily, and, therefore, the prizes offered by the Association and Mr C. G. Tripp were withheld. There was also a trial of grass seed stripping machines, manufactured by Messrs Scott Brothers and P. and D. Duncan, held at Messrs Henderson and M*Beath*E farm, on January 21st. The judges gave great commendation to each and divided the prize between them. The books from England, ordered last year, arrived in good condition. A number of them have been taken as prizes and have given general satisfaction. Twelve monthly and two special meetings of the general committee have been held daring the past year, besides several meetings of sub-committees. 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 ore due. The income of the association for the past year is shown to have been £2B-41 Us lid, and the ordinary expenditure £2200 5s 2d, leaving a balance of £644 9s 9d in favor of the year’s operations, £344 Is Id of which has been expended on buildings and permanent improvements. The balance-sheet shows that the accumulated funds to the credit of the different accounts of the association now stand at £6319 16s lid, independently of the increased value of the association’s freehold property. There are at present 305 members on the books of the association, exclusive of 138 life A considerable number of annual subscriptions still remain unpaid; and your committee trust that those in arrear will send in their contributions, ! so that the efforts of the association in promoting the agricultural and pastoral interests of the country may be prosecuted with vigor. The “New Zealand Country Journal ” has now entered upon its fifth year, and we are happy to be able to say is steadily making its way throughout the colony, and already in other colonies attention has been drawn to the numerous items of useful information which is contained in it. The journal is now self-supporting. We would desire to draw the attention of those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits to the fact that it is the only publication in the colony which is devoted entirely to those interests. We would on the foregoing grounds claim for it a more general support, and while expressing our thanks to those gentlemen who have so generously contributed original articles, the editing committee earnestly solicit further contributions from those engaged in rural pursuits. 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 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 results achieved. During the year passed a substantial building has been erected on the grounds for the better accommodation of dairy produce and New Zealand manufactures. Other necessary improvements are in contemplation with a view to rendering the arrange, ments for the annual exhibitions still more complete, particularly in the direction of affording better shelter for horned stock, all of which will be carried out in detail as funds permit.

The committee room ot the Association has been kept fairly well supplied with papers and periodicals. The reference library is gradually increasing, and the committee desire to record their thanks to Mr George Gonld, who has commissioned Mr Eobert Wilkin, now on a visit to Britain, to make a selection ot useful works, which he purposes presenting to the Association library. The committee venture to express a hope that others will follow his example. A life-size portrait of Mr E. Wilkin, presented by that gentleman, has been ? laced in the committee room of the Association, ortraits of the celebrated draught-stallion Darnley and the blood stallion Deolinus, have been presented to the Association by their respective owners, Mr D. Eiddell, of Scotland, and Mr George G. Stead, of this city. Your committee have much pleasure in stating that his Excellency the Governor in Council has been pleased to incorporate your association under “ The Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act, 1877.” The Order in Council was gazetted on the 17th February, 1881. The committee cannot close this report without placing on record their sense of the great loss the association has sustained by the death of Mr Andrew Duncan (President of the Association at his decease), whose assiduity in the interests of the association, and large experience in agricultural matters, made him a specially valuable member during his life time, and whose kindness of heart endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. The balance sheet was as follows ’—

The committee room of the Association has been kept fairly well supplied with papers and periodicals. The reference library is gradually increasing, and the committee desire to record their thanks to Mr George Gonld, who has commissioned Mr Eobert Wilkin, now on a visit to Britain, to make a selection of useful works, which he purposes presenting to the Association library. The committee venture to express a hope that others will follow his example. A life-size portrait of Mr E. Wilkin, presented by that gentleman, has been ? laced in the committee room of the Association, 'ortraits of the celebrated draught-stallion Darnley and the blood stallion Deolinus, have been presented to the Association by their respective owners, Mr D. Eiddell, of Scotland, and Mr George G. Stead, of this city. Your committee have much pleasure in stating that his Excellency the Governor in Council has been pleased to incorporate your association under “ The Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act, 1877.” The Order in Council was gazetted on the 17th February, 1881.

M. Murphy, Secretary. I have audited the hooks of tlie Canterbury A. and P. Association, and find the accounts to be as stated above, the income and expenditure to be an stated in the revenue account, and I certify to the correctness of the same, T. B. Ckato, Public Accountant. Christchurch, 2nd March, 1881. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, congratulated the meeting on the position of the association. The assets were large, and they had a capital ground on which bnildings were being erected, and progressing towards perfection. It was scarcely possible that they could hope to compete with associations of long standing in older countries, 1 nt when looking back over the short space intervening between the first start made in Canterbury and the present time, their position, he ventured to say, was very gratifying. The reserve fund he regarded as u highly important art aaure. As would bo noticed the committee hadentired somewhat into bnildiug during the past year, this being for the greater convenience of exhibitors. Ho believed that I to this step was owing an increase of entries last year, and the association would no doubt

sco the advisability—in view of the large asset presented by their land —of further extending such improvements. He concluded by moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr Manning seconded the motion.^ In reply to a question from Mr Higgins as to the altered position of the society. The Chairman said the question was rather late in the day, Mr Higgins being present when it was decided to bring the association under the Agricnltnral'and Pastor*! Associations Act,1877. The thing was done, and it was somewhat after time now to discnss the question. He then proceeded to show that benefits were derivable from the operation of the Act, especially in the matter of grants, to which he considered that this, as an educating society, was entitled. The Act also gave them power to deal with reserves, which he supposed would at some time or other be given to them in the same way as the collages and other institutions in the colony. He thought that these and other provisions suggested good reasons for bringing the association under the Act.

Mr Higgins said by way of explanation that ha never heard so much information on the subject before, and expressed himself perfectly satisfied.

The report and balance sheet were then pnt to the vote and adopted. The election of officers was the next business on the order paper. Mr J. R. Hill was unanimously elected president ; Mr Wm. Henderson vice president. Mr David Craig was appointed hon. treasurer for the ensuing year. The Chairman stated that the meeting would now be called upon to elect the committee, and he thought it would be advisable to pass a resolution fixing the number of the committee, as there appeared to be some confiiction between the Act and the association’s rules in this respect. In accordance with the Chairman’s suggestion a resolution was passed to the effect that the committee consist of twenty-four members of the association. A committee for the ensuing year were then elected as follows—Messrs W. Boag, T. Bruce, J. T. Ford, P. Cunningham, H. Sutherland, S. Garforth, Hon. J. Hall, W. Norman, James Walls, John Anderson, jan., J. Mann, J. Fergusson, R Wilkin, J. Gilmour, A. W. Money, J. Mcßeath, G. Gould. W. Holly, H. P. Mur-ray-Aynsley, J. Gebbie, H. Mcllraith, W. H. Ivey, P. Duncan, and John Gripg. Messrs H. E. Alport and C. C. Aikman wer. elected auditors. On the motion of Mr Haydon, seconded by Mr H. B. Lane, a vote of thanks was passed to the ont-goiug committee, for which Mr Sutherland returned thanks. The meeting then adjonrned.

LIABILITIES. £ H. d. £ 9. 1. Private prizes — Owing 31st January, 1880 53 G 0 Received to 31st January, 1881 83 10 0 136 16 0 Paid to 31st January, 1681 68 10 11 cs 1 Society’s prizes 236 0 0 Sundry creditors 499 7 5 Balance — Capital account, at January 3‘lst, 1880 5032 18 G Medals 56 0 0 From revenue, January 31st, 1881 423 1 8 5512 0 2 " N.Z. Country Journal ” — Per account, Jan. 31st, 1880 ... 31 18 8 Balance, January 31et, 1881 ... 123 0 4 433 19 0 Reserve, January 31st, 1880 ... 275 10 0 Reserve, January 31st, 1881 ... 08 7 0 373 17 9 6319 16 11 £7123 9 5 Assets £ s. d. £ s. d. Freehold land, asat January Slut, 1880 3179 13 9 Buildings, ns at January 31st, 1830 1151 4 11 Expended since 314 1 1 1495 5 11 Office furniture, ns at January 3lst, 1890 115 17 4 Expended since 0 10 0 14 G 7 4 Medal dies 32 10 0 Prize books on band 116 16 9 Herd hooks on hand u 7 2 Medals 56 0 0 Debtors to ‘‘N.Z. Country Journal’* and Herd Book, subscriptions, advertising, &c G37 5 0 Deposits at interest, Permanent Investment and Loan Association 70 0 0 Cash at Union Bank of Australia 825 6 0 Less cheques outstanding 124 0 3 701 5 9 Reserve fund, in Investment shares 373 17 9 £7123 9 5 David Craig, lion. Treasurer