WAIRARAPA AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 32, 2 September 1871, Page 11

WAIRARAPA AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

[From Ofe Special Reporter.]

On Monday last, August 28fch, a general public meeting was held at the British Volunteer Hotel, G-reytown, for the purpose of establishing a Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Association in the district, and for the transaction of business connected with that object. On the motion of Major Smith, seconded by Mr Rokel, C. Pharazyn, Esq, J.P., was unanimously called to the chair.

The Chairman expressed his satisfaction at the steps which had been taken to form an Agricultural Association in the district, about the desirability of which there could be no doubt. He would call upon Major Smith, who had taken great interest in the subject, to move the first resolution.

Major Smith said that he was happy to inform the Chairman and the meeting that there were others, particularly Mr Eokel, who had taken quite as great interest in the movement as himself. It had originated at Masterton, where one or two preliminary meetings-liad been held. Other associations of a kindred character had been communicated with, and a number of rules had been framed for the government of the association, and fov the definition of its objects, which at a future stage he would submit to the meeting. They had been printed in the " Mercury," in order that ail settlers who took an interest in the movement, and who attended the meeting, might have time to consider them before-hand, and be prepared with any alterations or suggestions that they might wish to propose. No arguments were required to show the advantages which would result from the successful establishment of such an association. Societies of a similar character existed in almost every locality in Australia, and had been found extremely useful. There were also flourishing agricultural associations in many parts of this colony, and others were from time to time springing up, which was an indication that the public of New Zealand were becoming alive to the advantages which associations were capable of conferring. The subject had been mooted more than once in the Wairarapa, and the initiatory steps had been taken for the formation of an association, but owing to the want of proper organisation it had fallen to the ground. He felt great hopes that the present movement would be more successful, for though their present meeting was a small one, he was in a position to state with some degree of confidence, that great interest was taken in the object they had in view, by influential settlers resident in the district and in other parts of the province. This would be seen by the number of those who had already enrolled themselves as subscribers, as well as by the amounts of some of the subscriptions. Never before had the privilege of membership been put at so low a figure, but the object was to secure as large a number of members as possible; and they could then trust to other sources for increasing the value of the prizes which it might be determined to award at their exhibitions. He thought that had such an association been established before, they would not have witnessed the strange anomaly of flour and oats being brought into the district, the produce of other portions of the colony. Such an association as that now contemplated would soon put a stop to such an evil, and would confer other benefits of still greater importance. The district was not only in a backward state as regarded its agriculture, but there was a great absence of anything like system in the breeding and management of stock. Such an association would be the means of remedying this evil. Another legitimate and perhaps more important object of the association would be the development of the natural and artificial resources of the district. By increasing ifa population and its industrial resources, the objects ofmeatprescrvdng companies would be secured, not by meat preservation, but by meat consumption, which of the two would prove the most profitable to the stock-owner. He did nob wish by these remarks to throw cold water on that movement, but merely to indicate that there was another way of effecting their object, Great benefits might result

from the establishment of meat export com panies, but it was a more important object to adopt means which would introduce and settle in the district a large working population, when all the meat which was now waiting exportation would probably be required for home consumption. He would conclude by moving the adoption of the following resolution : That it is desirable to form in this district a society to be called " The Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral, Agricultual, and Hortitural Association."

This resolution was seconded by Mr Eokel, and, after, some discussion, was adopted. Major Smith then moved the adoption of the rules, which had been already printed. Ifc would be seen that it was proposed to hold quarterly meetings of the committee alternately at G-reytown and Masterton, and that the exhibitions of the association should also be held alternately at the two places. The Chairman said that it was the first time he had seen the rules, and regretted that they had not been more widely circulated. Mr Barton said that he had never seen them before, and suggested that they should be read to the meeting. This was accordingly done, and, after a few slight amendments had been made, they were unanimously adopted. Major Smith proposed, and Mr Rokel soconded the proposition, that the Hon. G\ M. Waterhouse be elected President of the Association. Carried.

After some discussion, Mnjor Smith, Mr John Russell, Mr C. Pharazyn, Mr R. Barton, and, on this gentleman declining to stand, Mr C. R. Bid well, were successively proposed as Vice Presidents. Ultimately a ballot was taken, which resulted in the election of J. V. Smith, Esq., J.P., and C. R. Bidwell, Esq., J.P., a 3 Yice Presidents. Major Smith returned thanks, and said that no effort should be wanting on his part to make the Association a success.

Mr Rokel proposed that R. Collins, Esq., be appointed Treasurer. He stated that several subscription lists had been placed in the hands of parties, who had become members of the Provisional Committee, and he was happy to say that the one he had, contained promised subscriptions to the amount of upwards of £BO. More than £IOO had been already promised, and additional subscriptions would be forthcoming from Wellington as soon as the Association had been started. Mr Collins had been Secretary and Treasurer of a similar Association in Wellington. The proposition was seconded by Major Smith, and carried nem. con.

The following gentlemen were unanimously elected on the Committee:—Messrs W. H. Donald, Rokel, J. C. Andrew, C. Pharazyn, W. H. Beethatn, C. Cundy, H. Bunny, H. H. Jackson, T. Kempton, W. L. Lucena, E. Maunsell, J. Bennett, H. Bannister, J. Russell, and H. S. Wardell. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.