WESTLAND A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1921, Page 4

WESTLAND A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20. Tho Committee of tlio Association met at the County Chambers at 2 p.m. 'Present:—Messrs Morel (chair), Han* (Secretary), Jamieson, Fleming, Harris, Pilkington, Marshall, Davidson (Waitnha), Jellie, Olderog, Monk, Jones (Hokitika), Evans, Morris, Upjohn (Ross), Wild, Scott, Lucas (Watnroa), Richards, Dalgliesh. Ridley, Williamson, Butler, O’Neil. The minutes of the previous meeting ■were road and confirmed. Mr Jamieson reported that the Ko-katahi-Koiterangi settlers had decided almost unanimously to form a syndicate to carry on the lime-kiln, and the members of the syndicate were only waiting the confirmation of the proposal today, to go forward. Mr Fleming confirmed the statement as to the unanimity of settlers on the matter. Mr Morel indicated that the position so far was satisfactory. > Mr Pilkington said in view of the favourable reports made, nothing further could be done till the syndicate formulated its proposals and submitted same for approval. It was satisfactory tho matter had been brought to the present stage. The Chairman concurred in the views just expressed. Mr Monk asked if the syndicate would remain under the control of the Association. There was a schedule of charges and the management of late had been satisfactory, returning the Association a small income. Mr Pilkington said tho syndicate would he a different body from the As snoiation. and tho syndicate would run the lime kiln on its own responsibility. Tb-would be as well to appoint a subcommittee to confer with the syndicate and fix the details. Mr Fleming moved the President. Messrs Jamieson, Wild and Pilkington he a joint committee to go into the details of the matter in relation to the conduct of the lime-kiln. Tin's was with-drawn after discussion, and the mntter relegated to the Association meeting to be held later. Tho committee mooting then concluded, and the general meeting was opened. Present : All tho above named. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. Mr Evans moved that the action of tho Committee in agreeing to lease the lime-kiln to the syndicate be approved. and Messrs Wild and Pilkington be a sub-eomniitlee to act on behalf of the Association in determining the conditions of the lease to the syndicate. Mr Jamieson seconded. Carried. All present (who were not already members) were elected to the Association. Also Messrs .T. J. McTntosh, P. Ronton, A. Paterson, G. S. Ridley, were elected members. Sub-Committees were appointed to canvass lho district for members in connection with the collection of peeiai prizes for the show. Mr Wild favoured moveable meetings f, j the Executive so as to ensure greater community of interest among the settlers, fie moved that the proposal ce submitted to tho Executive for consideration. the meetings to he arranged lor in the various dairying settlements. Mr Pilkington seconded.- Carried. A dicussion ensued as to a suitable show date. Various opinions were expressed, and reasons given for holding Ike exhibition in February or .March. It was resolved to ascertain the show dates at Westport and Rcefton, and the matter of fixing the local date be left to the Executive. Messrs Morel, Jellie, Fleming. Marshall, Pilkington, Dalgleisli. Wild and Jeffries were appointed to draw up a schedule programme. The canvassers appointed wore:—Aralmra, Messrs Jellie and Olderog; Kohatnlii district, Messrs Marshall, Houliston, Morel ami Harris; Waitalia Messrs Davidson and Cropper; Wataroa, Messrs Lucas and Gunn; Totara, Messrs A. W. Upjohn and Minelian; Hokitika, the Mayor, Hon Michel, Messrs Mclntosh and Jeffries; I lari llari, Messrs J, Hewer and McKay: Kumara, Messrs E. Marty n a ml Morel (Teremakau Settlement); Christchurch Rend, Mr J. hitzgerald. All returns to he in by October 22nd. Contributions to the prize fund are now receivable. It was resolved to admit members of the Association to the show free, and grant a concession to competing members in entrance fees for exhibits. Tt was decided to ask tho Westland Racing Club for the use of the race- j course and buildings for the show. j Enquiry is to be made from the northern societies in regard to the selection of judges. COW TESTING PROPOSAL. -Mr (J. Ridley, at the invitation of the Chairman said the proposals ho had submitted was by way of mooting the idea for cow testing throughout the district. What was wanted now was to get the farmers to associate, and if the response were sufficient tho district would he entitled to an official tester. The association desired would require to bo in connection with the dairy factory. At Iknmatua over 1000 cows would be brought into the scheme, Tho scheme would operate also at Cronndun an.. Oreymouth, whore there were factories The charge would be 2s per cow, and the outfit for the farmer would lie merely nominal. Under the scheme the tester would attend and the fee mentioned would cover the cost. The factory would require to provide the steam and tho testing room. It would be possible for the association to arrange for its own testing if it wished outside the Government officer. The charge per cow would cover the total cost practically, outside of the settlers’ .outfit. No definite number of cows had been mentioned to ensure the presence of the official tester. If cow-testing were properly carried out it would put the dairying industry ahead quicker than anything else. Mr Wild said this question was a matter more directly for the dairy factories, and the various companies should ho consulted, setting out the prm er rand if the response were adequate to ask tho Government to send down the testing officer. Mr Lucas in reply to a question said ; ho did not think more than 200 cows I would he offered for testing at Wnta- ' roa, pud there it was a question of cost

or whether the tester would visit the district. Mr Davidson replied that at Waitaha, the settlors mostly were testing their herds, and that there were not many who cared to go into the scheme. Mr Ridley said he expected support to the proposal chiefly from those who were testing their own herds. Mr Monk spoke in favor of testing, and said he would continue his own testing. Mr Jamieson supported the proposal and said he favored joining. Personally he realised the value of testing with his own herd. Mr Jellie was agreeable to join up with the proposal. He had been testing his own herd, but would favor joining the Association, where a more uniform system of testing could be obtained. He thought the cost mentioned as very reasonable indeed. Mr Morel gave the scheme bis hearty support and said the country settlers should further discuss the matter amongst themselves. Mr Morel conveyed the thanks of the meeting to Mr Ridley for his attendance and information. Mr O’Neil said under the scheme culls should be branded when disposed of. This sentiment was endorsed by several settlers present. Air Monk said the speculative farmers often specially fed their herds prior to a test to ensure better sale, or confound the test of the factory manager. Mr Williamson concurred. The Chairman said “there was roguery in every trade.” (laughter). Mr Morel asked, the settlers to go in to the matter in their respective districts, and when the information regarding support is available the scheme be further reviewed. Tt was necessary to know bow many cows in the district would be submitted to the test. This course was agreed upon, a motion to that effect being moved by Mr Morel and seconded by Air Wild. Tt was resolved to get official information from the Government in regard to the working of the scheme under an nffirirtl tester supplied by the Department. The meeting concluded at 4.25 p.m.