AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2652, 6 October 1882, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the general committee of the above aisooiation was held this afternoon at two o’clock. Present—Mr W. Hendereoa (president), in the chair ; Messrs Jno. Deane, Jno. Ferguson, W. Norman, H. Mcliraith, J. Anderson, jcnr., J. Bruce, B. Sutherland, J. Mann, W. Boag, 8. Qarforth and S. Manning. A letter was read from Mr P. Onnninghc at ■eking to be excused from attendance at the meetings of the committee during his absence in Auckland. ... A communication was received from the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society, asking if the association would take in hand the compilation of a “N.Z. Herd Book,” and offering to co-operate in the matter. A letter was read from Mr Brewer, offering to dispose of his interest in the “ Herd Book” for the sum of £6O and a life membership in the association. After some discussion, a sub-committee was appointed to inquire into the subject, consisting of the President, Messrs Mcliraith, Wilkin, Norman, Bosg, and Deans. The secretary of the Canterbury Coursing Club wrote, stating that the dab could not ese its way to amalgamate with the Papanui Club for the purpose of holding a dog show on the 9th November, and proposing to carry out the show at their own risk, provided the association would assist them and give them the exclusive privilege for three or four years. , , The matter was referred to the ground committee. An application from the Horticultural Society, asking permission to hold their show in the grounds of the association on the 9th November on the same toms as last year was granted. A letter was read from the Sydenham Cricket Club, asking to be allowed the use of the ground every evening and on Saturday afternoon. The applicationtwas not entertained. A letter was read from Mr F. N. Jones, of Nelson, suggesting that a prize be offered at the show for the best pair of ponies, and promising to enter four pure bred Timor ponies. It was decided that a private prize of S 3, given by Mr T. 8. Weston, should btjdfcvotoi to this purpose; the ponies to be under 13 hands j first prize £2, second £l, The following letter was read on the subject of merino sheep : Horsley Downs, Waikari, October sth 1832. Sir, —I would beg to coU the attention of the committee ef the Canterbury A. and f*. Association to the very peculiar position in which merino sheep are placed at your annual show. It is well-known that there are two distinct varieties of merino sheep, which may be divided into strong and fine combing, and probably a greater difference exists between these two kinds than any of the long-wc oiled breeds, of which I think not leas than five classes are made, while there is only one class for merino. In Australia the strong combing is represented by Messrs Murray, G. B. Fisher, P.M Angus, Oanowia, Ball, and others of less repute. Fine corobing is represented by nearly all N.B. Wales, the greater part of Victoria, to which may be ad :td Tasmania. Th-re is an equally steady demand for both classes of wool in the market, and consequently for both classes of sheep, and at the annual sales we find both these varieties of merino fetching exceedingly high prices. At the annual chows thsse varieties are shown in saparate'classcs. In Sydney they have added a clothing class, but that would not be necessary in New Zealand, and the judges are appointed for the class they are most conversant with. Climate seems to be the principal thing which decides the breeder of the mor no sheep in the choice of the sheep he means to breed, do far as can bo ascertained one class is as profitable us the other, provided that the conditions under which each are grown are favorable to itself. In New Zealand we find merino sheep reared nndi r very d & =rent circumstances and in vary different climates. A sbesp that would be profitable in the one would not be profitable in the other, and therefore we find that the two varieties exist in New Zealand ; and what j is more, both varieties have bean brought to o very high stats of perfection by the skill and judgment of their owners, combined with a very large expenditure. It is very discouraging to breeders who Lave at great cost t atablished a good flock of cither ißnety to find that at your anr.ua! show they aave to compete with an entirely different animal from tnat on which thc-ir care has been cestowed, their chances of success being governed entirely by the accident m the choice of judges as to whether they or the majority of t,hem prefer one variety or the other, for with animals ; so different there exists no moans of fair comparison. All this may ba obviated by dividing merinos into two claceea 3 strong and fine combing. 'The utility of your show, so far as aaennes *re concerned, would ba greatly increasedi and I believe also tbo number of exhibitors ; to bring the number of classes within bounds I mirht suggest that a less number of daises in each variety might he made. lam aware that no change can bo made in your programme for this year, but I would respectfully recommend your committee to consider the iffaot and working ef the present system, with a view to making the reasonable alterations that are demanded by all breeders of merino sheep. 1 remain, &c., J. D. IANC*. The President thought all they could do was to acknowledge the letter and refer the matter to the catalogue committee toKconsideration before the show next year. This course wM agreed to

The secretary of the Horticultural Society (Mr laitt) waited upon the committee to prop so the iosue of a general ticket, giving admission to all the shows on the ground at a reduced price. If there was a dog show the ticket would admit the holder to the three shows, but if there was not it would be avail* able for the two shows at a charge of say la 6 d, of which lOd would go to the association. Mr Isitt having explained the details of his propenal withdrew, when the committee decided that it would bo desirable for each show to "paddle its own canoe.’’ Accounts to the amount of £192 14a were pUi«sd f r piyment. After transacting some routine business the committee adjourned.