AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2474, 11 March 1882, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the above association was held last evening at half-past seven o’clock in the rooms of the association, Hereford street. There was a large attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr J. K. Hill, president. The Secretary road the annual report, as follows :

X, It is again the pleasing daly of year committee to report the steady progress of tbo association. 2. The entries for the November Show ot 1-881 were 1300 in number, distributed as follows: Sheep 337 Horses Poultry ;*| Implements 373 Dairy produce “3 Wool 10 Cattle Pigs ... ... ■>. Sheep dogs W Cured and preserved meats ... 51 New Zealand manufactures ... 100 Extra exhibits ... ... ... B

3. The number of visitors was larger than on any former occasion, particularly on the second day of the Show ; and it is computed, that there were at least 18,000 persons present on the •grounds on that day. The money taken at the gates amounted to £936 17s lid. 4. The quality of the animds shown in most of the classes may bo said to have fully snatsined the character which the exhibits oi this association had previously acquired. The improvement in the shorthorn classes was a noticeable feature in the show, and tne fact that breeders from Victoria again competed for the prizes in this class speaks well for the character of our exhibition and for the manner in which it is conducted. The exhibition of implements was very good, and the superior quality of those ot colonial make was especially noticeable. 5. The portion of the grounds b 4 apart for the exhibition of goods for which there were no distinct classes proved, as was the case at the last show, a sourco of much attraction and instruction. 6. The annual parade of stallions was held as usual on the grounds ot the association, on Saturday, the 24th of September last, on which occasion sixty-seven horses were paraded, as against eighty-four in 1889. Although there was a falling off in numbers, still the quality and condition of those entered were in most respects satisfactory. 7. The Kam and Ewe Fair took place on March 24th, and the following day. The total number of rams catalogued was 233, and of ewes f °B y 'The third volume of the “ New Zealand Stud Book of Draught Horses” is now ready for the printer. The editing committee hoped to have been able to present it to the subf cribora before this date, but owing to the dilatorinosp. of owners of stock in sending in their entries, they have been unable to do so. 9. The association, bv fostering the exhibition of labor-saving agricultural machinery at its shows, has largely contributed to the development of agriculture in the colony, and this Replies especially to reapers and binders, of which there are now not less than 2000 ia active use in New Zealand. With a view to making further teste as to the comparative value of the various machines of the last-named classes at _ present in the market, it was deemed advisable by your committee to hold another trial, which took place on the 19tb of January lost, in paddocks kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr W. Boag, at Burnside, Fendiltown. Twelve machines were entered, of ■which nine were string-binders, and three wire binders. The makers were as follows: —String: Walter A. Wood’s (2), McCormick’s, Howard’s Simplex, Deering’s (2), Osborne’s, Samnelsoa’s, and The Excelsior. Wire McCormick's, Aultmau and Co.’s, and Osborne’s. The judges awardsd a gold modal to the Walter A. Wood string-binder, a silver medal to the McCormick machine in the same class, and a go’.d medal to the McCormick wire binder, and a certificate ot merit ta the Aultman machine. The oompetitien was very keen, and the work was so evenly dona by the majority of the machines, that it was found most difficult to decide between them.

This trial has fully demonstrated that the difference between the various machines in work is very trifliog; each is capable of doing good work, and the colony is a great gaiaer by their introduction.

A trial of gorso cutters was held in November last, the machines competing being those for exhibition at the show, viz , a Hornsby and Co.’s hedge cutter, and one manufactured by Mr John Anderson, of Christchurch. The prize was awarded to the English machine. Tnere was also a trial of grass seed strippers held at the farm of Messrs Henderson and Moßeath in January, the competing machines being one manufactured by Messrs P. and D. Duncan and one of English make, but of colonial pattern, imported by Messrs B. Wilkin and Co. The prize was awarded to the former. 10. The books ordered from England last year arrived in good condition. The large number of books taken in lieu of money prizes by successful exhibitors year after year shows the wisdom of these importations. 11. Three general meetings of the association, in addition to twelve monthly and four special meetings of the [general committee, have been held during the past year, besides several meettings of sub-committees. In addition to those, special lectures, initiated by your committee and largely attended by farmers and agriculturists, were given in the association’s rooms by Mr T. K. Dow, agricultural reporter for the Melbourne “ Leader,” and Mr W. Bowron, of London, both of whom were on a visit to the colony. The former lectured on the agricultural resources of New Zealand, and the latter on the advantages to be derived from the establishment of cheese factories in Canterbury. 12. The treasurer’s accounts and the bonks of the association have been duly audited by Messrs H. E. Alport and C. C. Aikman.

13. The income of the association for tbo past year has been .£3613 Os lOd, including •£7Ol 5s 9d carried forward from last year; and the expenditure during the same period bus been £3507 5s 10d, leaving a balance of £135 15s to be carried forward.

14. There are at present 260 members on the books of the association (exclusive of 140 life members), which number might easily be increased by a little exertion on the part of those members who take an interest in the association’s work.

15. Considering the objects of the association, and the work already accomplished by it, it is not too much to hope that the coming year will be marked by a greatly increased amount of support from tbe general public. A considerable number of annual subscriptions still remain unpaid, and your committee trust that members who are in Jarrear will send in their contributions without delay, thereby avoiding . the trouble and expense of repeated applications.

16. The “New Zealand Country Journal” has now entered upon its sixth year, (and continues to be self-supporting. Wo would desire .to draw the attention of those engaged in agricultural and pastoral parsnits to the fact - that it is the only magazine in the colony which is devoted entirely to those interests. We woald therefore claim for it a more general ■ support, and while expressing our thanks to those gentlemen who have generously contributed original articles to its pages, the editing committee earnestly solicit farther contributions of this nature from those engaged in rural pursuits.

17. The committee desire to place on record their appreciation of the valuable services rendered by the gentlemen who have acted as judges fat the association’s shows and tria T s of implements. They also desire to acknowledge the services of those members who, by their valuable assistance on the Show Grounds, Ac., have greatly contributed to the successful results .achieved.

18. Daring the past year a substantial building for use as an office, has been erected in the Show Grounds, and a considerable amount of .fencing has also been put up New pens, and other necessary improvements are in contemplation, with a view to rendering the arrangements for the annual exhibitions still more complete. These will be carried out in detail as funds permit, 19. The committee rooms of the association have been kept fairly well supplied with papers .and periodicals. The Beforence library has received a large and valuable addition of books, ■the gifts of Messrs George Gould and Kobert Wilkin, the former gentleman having presented the Imperial Dictionary, Ure’s Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, McCulloch's Commercial Dictionary, McCulloch’s Geographical Dio‘tionary, Phillips’ Atlas, and the New Zealand Stud Book ; and the latter gentleman a complete set of Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society. 20. A portrait in oil of the lata Mr John Deans, the founder of the Biccarton Estate, has been presented to the Association by Mrs Deans, This acceptable and appropriate gift has a special value, because of the prominent position Mr Deans held in the history of Canterbury; he was one of the earliest settlers, and his judicious importations of stock, trees, and plants did much to advance the settlement, and stamped him as worthy to bold a place among those who have rendered valuable services to New Zealand. 21. Mr Thomas Wilkin, of Tinwald Downs, Scotland, has also (presented an oil painting of the celebrated Clydesdale stallion Prince of Wales. The best thanks of this Association are due to Mra Deans, Mr Thomas Wilkin, Mr George Gould, and Mr Hubert Wilkin for their generous gifts. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, made a few remark* explanatory of the balance shoot, and referred to the satisfactory character of the association’s shows, the arrangements in connection with «rbiob were, hs thought, ai sear perfection as

they would wiah. He desired to take the opportunity of saying that he thought a great deal of the success which had attended their operations was duo to the exertions of their secretary, Mr Murphy, who was particularly deserving of their thanks for his indefatigable efforts, and especially for his services in connection with the “New Zealand Country Journal,” a publication which had been productive of a great deal of good to the agricultural interests, and which was becoming more and more popular. [[Hear, hcar.j Mr E. O. Tabart seconded the adoption of the report, and the motion was put and carried. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, with the following result:—President, Mr William Henderson j vice - president, Mr Peter Cunningham ; treasurer, Mr David Craig ; auditors, Mr H, E. Alport and Mr O. C. Aikman. The committee for the ensuing year was elected by ballot as follows Messrs J. Anderson, jun., W. Boag, T. Bruce, John Deans, P. Duncan, J. Ferguson, J. T. Ford, J Qarforlh, J. GHlmour, J. Gabbie, Joseph Gould, John Hall, J. B. Hill, J. Mann,,B. banning, J* Mcßeath, H. Mcllraith, W. Norman, J. EJ. Parker, J. T. Peacock, RSutherland, F. O. Tabart, J. Walls, B. Wilkin. , The following gentlemen were elected members of the association : Messrs J. Meikle, A. MoDmald, A. Henderson, W. Newton, 11. ITord, E. B. Harley, H. Paul. _ Mr T. 8. Weston moved— 1 " That Mr Geo. Gould be appointed patron of the association. There was nothing in the Aot to prevent the election of a patron, and as Mr Gould had ceased to be a member of the committee, it would no doubt be the unanimous desire of members that hia connection with the association, for which he had done so much, should continue in the capacity now suggested. Mr W. Henderson seconded the motion, which was earned unanimously. On the motion of Mr J. E. Parker, a sum of £SOOO was voted for the use of the committee during the year. On the motion of Mr W. Henderson, it was resolved —“ That it be a commendation to the new committee to take into consideration the advisability or otherwise of holding a show of fat stock, grain, roots, &c., during the Exhibition season.” It was decided that the committee should meet to take the subject into consideration on Friday next, at 2 p.m. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers and committee, and the meeting terminated.