AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mt Benger Mail, Volume 17, Issue 850, 29 August 1896, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Al the meeting of the Committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, held in Dunedin last Saturday, it was decided to intimate to the Minister of Railways that this society strongly support the petition of the Canterbury A. and P. Society for reductions in the charges for the freightage of frozen meat over the railways, and to co-operate with the Wellington A. and P. Society in getting altered the regulation that all sheep shall be dipped between February 1 and May 1, so that stockowners may have the option of dipping at any time after shearing and prior to May 1. Mr Saunders, representing the ' New Zealand Farmer,' offered a free copy of that paper for one year as a special prize for the champion Clydesdale stallion at thi3 year's show, and Messrs Duthie Bros., Limited, of George street, offered shares (valued at £10) in the Agricultural Hall Company for competition at the winter show. The latter wrote that they wished to encourage competition and at the same time assist in distributing debentures among the farmers. They suggested that the prize should be given to the farmer who gained the largest number of points in farm and dairy produce. —Both donations were acknowledged with thanks.

It was decided to give the Tahuna Park Company twelve months' notice of the determination of lease of their ground. The D.J.C. notified that they had fixed their dates for 25th, 27ch, and 28th November, leaving the 26th a clear day for the people's day of the show, and asking that the show be held in the same week. It was decided to agree to those dales, and the summer show was fixed for Wednesday and Thursday, 25th and 2(ith November. The annual parade of entire horses was fixed for 24th September. Finance, ground, and programme committees were elected. After some discussion the following resolutions, moved by Mr Brydone, were carried:—"That this society regret the unquestionable deterioration of the horse stock of New Zealand during the last few years, and are of opinion that legislation in the direction of imposing an annual license fee on stallions would greatly benefit breeders and farmers generally, and tend to improve the stock. They recommend than an annual fee of £ls be imposed on all entire horses used for stud purposes, and that no stallion be allowed to stand or travel in any district, or parade at any entire horse parade, unless the animal has been inspected by a duly qualified veterinary surgeon and a certificate obtained by the owner that such animal is free from hereditary unsoundness. That the amount of taxso raised, after deducting cost of veterinary examination, be appropriated for the purpose of giving prizes to the respective classes of horses and their progeny at agricultural shows. That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture, and that he be respectfully asked to give the matter his careful consideration, and that copies be sent to kindred associations for their consideration and support." Twenty-one new members were elected.