A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 12 March 1927, Page 2

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. .A meeting of the committee of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held yesterday. Present: Messrs J. Gibson (chairman), R. B. Meek, T. S. Little, J. Williams, W. Macdonald, J. R. Gilchrist, L G. Ruddenblau, C. Don, E. Brewster C. J. Cowan, J. Trotter, D. Cant, C. Grant, D. Rodger and G. Bruce. The secretary reported that the ram fair had been lixe'd for Wednesday, April 6. The appointment of a caretaker at the showgrounds was left to a sub-committee. The secretary stated that the finance committee had decided to have ten debentures drawn at the conclusion of the next meeting. The Waimate Association advised. that their annual ram fair had been fixed for April 1. Intimation was relceived from the Otago Association that their ram fair would he held on March 31 and thf winter show on March 31, June 1 ands2 inclusive. The New Zealand Pig Breeders' Association wrote lasking for the Association's co-operation in making it a condition of entry in the pure hred pig classes that the animals must be eligible for, or entry in, the New Zealand Iierd Book. The chairman pointed out that the entries -would be reduced if the class was confined to stud pigs. The letter was referred to the schedule committee. The Auckland Association forwarded the following resolution for consideration: "That a board of enquiry, with the power to call evidence, should be set up forthwith to ascertain the conditions which are preventing the profitable working of the land already in occupation, and retarding the settlement and utilisation of the undeveloped land of New Zealand, with a view to their removal." .Mr Rodger thought ' the matter referred to the North Island.- rather than the Sonth. The chairman said there was more in it than appeared on the surface. Mr Meek said the Arbitration Court was pntting up wages and the lands were undeveloped owing to the high cost of ' production. Mr Ruddenklau said there was a great deal to he enquired into. The administration of the Arbitration Court was responsible for a lot of the trouble theiy were up against He moved that the resolution he supported. Mr Williams moved, as an amendment, that the correspondence be received. Mr Ruddenklau's motion was carried. A letter was received from the .New Zealand Showmen's Association stating tSat, in order to meet the altered conditions, it had decided to run night shows. The approval of the Assoieiation was asked. The Secretary said he had written to Christchurch and Invercargill for information about night shows. The Cantepbury Association replied . that, as they charged side shows 6s a foot they allowed showmen to rnn a; /night show on the Saturday evening without further charge. , .Ht The corespondejice was received. The North Otagq. Caledonian Society applied for the use of the show grounds on Saturday, March 19 for tha purpose of holding a sports' meeting. Mr Borriq said he would .be in favour of giving the Society the grounds but they could not use the grandstand which was in the hands of the painters. If the Society did use the ground without the grandstand he would suggest tha.t it be given free of charge. Mr Meek said the Society did not know the grandstand would not be available and he thought the fixture could he postponed. Mr Williams said they could let the Society have the grounds. on the understanding that they would be responsible for any damage to the grandstand. The chairman remarlced that it was questionable whether they should let the Society have the grounds under the circumstances. Mr Meek sa^l he had telephoned the secretary of the Caledonian Society and he had stated that they would have to go on with the meeting. On the motion of Mr McDoanld, it was agreed to give the Caledonian Society the use of the ground free of charge on condition that the grandstand was not used. The South Island Bible Class Association foi'warded a donation of £3 3s for the use of the showground for a camp at Easter. Mr Borrie stated that an offer had been made to paint the ticket box and woodwork etc., at the.main gate for £5. It would also be necessary to paint the front of the horse boxes. Mr Borrie added that he had been approaiched by the Jockey Club for use of the horse-boxes and recommended t'hat they be lent at £1 a box. The money would not he paid by th eJoclcey Club, but by the race-horse owners. Several members thought £1 was too muck to charge for a box. Mr Meek said it would be alright to charge visiting owners £1 but local men should be given the boxes at a reduced rate. Mr Borrie said the enquiry had come from an outsider. If he declined it what offer was he to make to the Jockey Club? It was decided to charge £1 for the boxes after an amendemnt, fixing the fee at 10s was defeated. Mr Cant stated that a protest had been made concerning the height of a pony after the awards had been made. He thought the protest should have been lodged before competition. A member suggested that the Association' should provide a concretc measure stand as measurcments taken when an animal was standing on grass Avere not satisfactory. It was decided to rcfer the matter of protests to the schedule committee and to provide a concretc measuring stand.