AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 289, 26 September 1881, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

A ons El! Ai. meeting of members of tiie above was held at Clark s Hotel on Saturday. the President, Mr E. Paul, in the chair. The meeting was a fairly representative one, about twenty-five members being present. The President explained that the meeting had been called to give the members an opportunity of expressing an opinion in reference to a spring Show for stock, Ac. At last meeting it had been decided to hold a spring Show of sheep, and the members had also expressed an opinion in favor of including all stock. He had decided that the matter could not be discussed at last meeting as the advertisement convening it only referred to sheep, and therefore the present meeting was called. Another question which would have to be considered was the horse parade, which should have been advertised before now, and he would suggest that it should he held next Saturday. The first business, however, would be to consider the desirability of holding a spring Show for stock and general exhibits. Mr Dodson inquired if it were intended that the spring Show should ba the only one held in each year. The President said lie understood it was also intended to hold an exhibition of roots, grain, and domestic produce in the autumn. Mr J. Watson considered that as it had already been decided to hold a spring Show for sheep, it was also necessary, in order to make it a succoss, that all descriptions of stock, Ac., should be included. If this wero not done, he was of opinion the spring Show would be a failure. To .attract the public it would lie necessary to have all classes on exhibition. He would therefore propose that there be a general Show in November.

Mr C. Redwood seconded the motion. He w.vi quite in favor of having a spring Show for all stock. Hchelisved the Society was the only one in New Zealand which held its exhibitions in the autumn. Perhaps there would he a little difficulty at first in regard to the subscriptions, but members knew the change would have to take place some time or another and would, he felt sure, be quite prepared to meet it at once. He was opposed to the idea of having two Shows in the year for live stock. If they held a Show for sheep only in the spring it would only suit a few', and if they began to divide the interests he felt certain a great many would object and would probably withdraw from the Society. This they ought to avoid, and in holding the November Show they should make it as general as possible. As to grain, if people desired to exhibit it they eould keep it for the spring Show, and in regard to roots, what they had done in this direction hitherto had been so very small as to lie hardly worth consideration. MrJ. R. \V. Cook remarked that this year's grain had already been shown. Mr T. Redwood entirely concurred in having one general Show in the year, and it appeared to him that November was the best month in which to bold it. The horse parade, however, should be held early in the season.

MrH. Redwood pointed ont that horse parades in other places were held before now, and that the Societies did not oiler prizes for competition. He quite agreed with the proposal to have a spring Show for all stock, but it would be desirable to hold it upon suoli a date as would not clash with the Christchurch Show. As to grain, bethought it made very little difference when that was shown. Mr J. Ward would like to ask how it was they had got into what was said to be the bad habit of holding their Shows in the autumn ? He would still maintain that autumn was the best season for showing all animals except entire horses and sheep. The reason the Shows had hitherto been bed in the autumn was because the Society had always consisted principally of agriculturists. As far as general interests were concerned, he had great doubt whether they would be benefited by the spring Show. The question of finance had not been touched upon by any of the speakers, and he confessed he did not see how the proposal was to be worked out successfully.

Mr Dodson would follow Mr Ward in this matter, and he would like also to hear the opinion of some of the farmers upon the subject. He did not think the spring was at all suitable for showing grain or roots, though no doubt it was the proper time for stock. Mr Coulter quite agreed with the resolution. Ho had noticed that those who objected to it said they could only show horses, sheep, and cattle in the spring, but lie did not know what else they had to show except pigs. He thought it would be desirable to have an autumn Show for grain, aud this might he held in a hall in the

town, or in connection with the Horticultural Society. There could be no two opinions about the desirability- of showing all live stock in the spring, and as to the finances, the subscription was LI for the year and he had no doubt members would give it as willingly in November as in April. There wa* also the question of election of officers to be considered, and he would suggest that for the first year the present officers should be asked to carry out the Show. If the matter was met in the right spirit he had no doubt the Show would he a success. Mr Gano thought it would be wise to put off the general Show till next spring, to keep pace with the funds, and he moved an amendment to that effect, which lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr Storey moved as an amendment that a Show be held as usual in the autumn. Mr Hodson seconded. He said it had been already agreed to hold a spring Show for sheep, though he thought even this was rather premature. He was of opinion that the sheep Show only should be held this spring and the autumn Show as usual, and that it should he understood that the general Show should be held in the spring in the future. Mr Barnett supported the amendment. He thought it would not be wise to hold a general Show this spring, and it would also be unwise to say now that they would hold a general Show in the spring for the future. Mr Ward stated lie would also support the amendment. Mr Dodson would also support the amendment, as the bulk of the members were agriculturists and the fall of the year would suit them best. Mr Evans enquired whether it was intended that sheep should also be shown in the autumn. Mr Hodson said lie would certainly think so, as the spring Show was merely a competition for woolgrowers. Mr Cook pointed out that for purposes of comparison it made no difference at what time of the year the Show was held, as it was as fair for one as another. But in regard to sheep it was not fair to woolgrowers unless the show was held at the time when the covering was on the animal. It was not, however, requisite that stock should be in the highest condition. Messrs T. and H. Redwood again expressed themselves in favor of a spring Show for all stock.

The amendment was then put and lost, 10 voting for and 13 against. Mr Dodson then moved as an amendment that live stock only he shows in November next. Mr Ward seconded the amendment. Mr Gonlter thought implements should he included, as an autumn show of grain, roots, Ac., might he held in a building in the town, while it would lie inconvenient to show implements at the same time. Mr C. Redwood said it was quite clear to him they could not have two shows in the year, and in fact he did not see what they would have to show in the autumn as nothing need be omitted from the Show except roots. As to the question of condition of the animals, he thought they had only been splitting straws. Bacon, cheese, wines, and all similar articles could he just as well shown in the spring. Mr Dodson included “ implements” in his amendment, which was then put and lost, the mover and seconder only voting for it.

The original resolution was then put and carried. It was resolved on the motion of the President, seconded by Mr Elliott, that the sire horse parade be held in Seymour Square at noon on Saturday next. It was resolved that the stock and general Show be held on the last Wednesday in November.

Mr J. Hodson stated that he would take the opportunity of explaining to the meeting the position in which the grounds were held. A few years ago some gentlemen had fixed upon the present ground and three trustees were appointed, viz,— Messrs 6. Dodson, C. Redwood, and J. Hodson. The then Provincial Government voted a sum of money towards the purchase of the laud, and certain gentlemen came forward and took up debentures. It was understood that the three gentlemen named should be trustees, but at that time there was no properly organised society. Tne position they were now in was that they were not trustees but owners, the land having been conveyed to them. If either one were to die his executors could lay claim to one-third of the property, and there might be some difficulty in settling the matter. He therefore thought that steps should be immediately taken to have the land conveyed to someone in trust for the society. It was arranged to call a meeting of de-benture-holders for an early date and to take the necessary steps for placing the Society in a satisfactory position in regard to Ibis matter. It was also notified that the Committee will meet on Saturday next to frame the programme for the coming Show, The meeting then adjourned.