Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 282, 10 February 1849, Page 3

Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

A meeting of the members of this Society took place at Wood's Masonic Hotel, on Wednesday ; Major Matson in the chair. The object of the meeting was to reconsider one of the Society's rules, which limited the acquisition of a prize, at their exhibitions, to subscribers to the society only. This rule it was desired to rescind, and, a resolution having been moved and seconded, it was unanimously agreed that the competition for prizes should be thrown open to the public at large. The founding of a Farmers' Saturday Ordinary, where, at a moderate charge, our settlers might dine and exchange ideas, was mooted by the chairman:— and a very excellent sugges-

tion, in our opinion, it was. At these market dinners, the yeomanry of England have long been accustomed to impart and to acquire mu eh ge tier al . practical , i nform ation — one man learns where he can purchase the seed, or other articles of which he stands in need ; — another where he can dispose to advantage of his surplus produce. Experiments are discussed-, — improvements demonstrated ; — and a tone and temper of mutual fellowship and good will induced. Isolation and individualism are the great colonial curses, and he who can eradicate the one, and fuse the other deserves well of mankind. The creation of a market, as a spur to, the improved culture of the soil, was also incidentally canvassed. Every one was agreed of the great advantage to be derived, both by producer and consumer, from such an establishment ; but that übiquitous stumbling block, " the duty of the government to found such institutions," seemed likely to break the colonial shins. A market would be most beneficial, it was admitted, but, then, it was the province of a coiporation. Meanwhile, between the duty of government, and the province of a corporation, the colony falls to the ground. We confess, we can perceive no legitimate cause for either slip. There are plenty of examples of prosperous and profitable markets, in the parent country, where the property is neither regal nor corporate, but joint-stock. Why that example should not be successfully copied in Auckland, we can in no way discover. We doubt not, that in a matter so much affecting the general good, His Excellency the Governoi would be induced to pass a Market Oidinance, and to grant an adequate piece of ground for its foundation. These accomplished, a very moderate list of shareholders — say, a hundied, at five pounds eacli — would suffice to found a market with suitable stalls, for which a low rent, (more than sufficient to pay interest and keep it in repair,) might be charged. Sheds, also, for the accommodation of the natives, frequenting the town with produce for sale, might be constructed. By such an easy and inexpensive establishment, growers would be allured to transmit supplies which they now neglect, in consequence of dealers and extortionate regraters monopolizing all the profit. Families, fiequently at their wits end to piovide a dinner, would know where the materials were to be found, and that at a saving in price which, in one year, would more than compensate the prime cost of the necessary yaids and buildings. When a corporation is created then, if desirable, the market might be transferred to Civic authority, at a valuation. In the nieaD time, oursettleis would be furnished a channel of supply, and our townsmen a means of demand which would not fail to be as profitable to the one, as convenient and economical to the other.

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, and suite, will proceed on a tour to the Waikato in the early part of the ensuing week. It is to be hoped that Sir George will be able to disarm the growing animosity which has of late been entertained towards each other by certain tribes of that district, because of a dispute respecting a piece of land. His Excellency, on learning that this was becoming a serious matter, dispatched missives by the Rev. Mr. Wallis on his return to Waingaroa from a visit to Auckland, intimating that he would visit that quarter of the country, with the view of mediating between the contending parties.

Court Martial. — A General Court Martial, commenced its sittings, (which are likely to be very protracted,) in the Britomart Barracks, on Thursday morning. The Court — composed of Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, C. 8., President, Major Matson, Captains Hardy, Nugent, Cockraft, and Thompson of the 58th Regiment, and Captain Kenny, Staff Officer of Pensioners, — has been assembled to investigate several charges of peculation ; inciting the Pensioners to discontent, &c, &c, preferred by Lieut. Owen Wynne Giay, staff officer of Pensioners, against Captain Henry Montressor Smith of the same corps. Lieut. Gray is assisted in the prosecution by Mr. Merriman ; and Captain Smith, in his defence, by Mr. Whitaker. Brigade Major Greenwood fulfilling the duties of Judge Advocate. Upwards of one hundred and twenty witnesses have been summoned for the prosecution, and a good deal of interest is excited. Happily, General Courts Martial are rarities in the colonies. We are precluded giving publicity of the evidence, until the termination of the proceedings.