THE WAIRARAPA AND EAST COAST PASTORAL, AGRICULTURAL, AND HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION AND MR. HUNTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4916, 23 December 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WAIRARAPA AND EAST COAST PASTORAL, AGRICULTURAL, AND HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION AND MR. HUNTER.

TO THE BDITOn OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir —I beg to hand you copies of. several letters which have passed between Mr Thomas Frethey, secretary Walrarapa and Bast Coast Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Associati n, and myself, and hope, as the subject they refer to affects my reputation and character as a breeder and exhibitor of stock, that you will consider the correspondence of sufficient importance to warrant your giving publicity to it through the medium of your columns. I shall be happy to pay any extra expense that may be incurred in complying with my request.— I am, &c, _ „ Geo. Hunter. Wellington, December 21,1876.

Greytown, October 26,1876. Sib,—By direction of the committee. I give below copy of letter received from Hugh Beetham, Esq., relative to a bull calf being exhited by you at the laßt show as pure-bred which was not pure-bred, and have to request you will forward to me your reply, for the consideration of the committee at the next meeting. I have delayed writing you, as Mr. Kockel had made a similar complaint verbally, and I have been waiting to receive it in writing, 80 that 1 could have forwarded the both copies at the same time.—l am, &c. Thos. Fbetbky, Secretary, W. and E. C. Pastoral Association. George Hunter, Esq., ■Wellington. Brancepeth, September 20,1876. Sib, —I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of tho 9th September, asking me to put in writing my complaint against Mr. Hunter relative to that gentleman exhibiting at-the last Wairarapa Pastoral and Agricultural Show a young bull calf as pure-bred which was not pure bred. In reply, I beg to draw your attention to No. 5 of the published rules in connection with the Bhow held at Masterton December 1,1575. Rule No. 5.—" Pedigree of all thoroughbred horses and cattle must be deposited with the secretary at the time of entry." I would also draw your attention to the published list of stock for which prizes were to be given under tho heading "Cattle." After giving five classes of shorthorn for which prizes were to bo awarded, it is there stated—" Pedigrees of all the above cattle must be lodged with secretary at the time of entry." The above clearly shows that it was intended that the oxhibits under the head of shorthorns were to ba pure-bred. Mr. Hunter handed In a pedigree with his bull calf Enchanter, to which was awarded the Ist prize, and which I and others accepted at the time (coming as it did from a well-known breeder of pure bred stock) as a pedigree of a pure-bred animal. But on closer investigation we found it to be a faulty pedigree, not entitling the bull calf to bo exhibited aa a pure-bred shorthorn at all. I maintain that for shorthorn cattle to be exhibited with a faulty pedigree, without at the same time attention being called to the fact, is not correct; and to award a first prize under tho circumstances would be to establish a verybad precedent, and calculated to injure the society; I beg in conclusion to state, that whenever we have exhibited cattle with such a pedigree as that handed in by Mr. Hunter in December last with his bull calf Enchanter, we have always been careful to place them among the class of stock under the heading "Cattle of any Breed," where Mr. Hunter ought to have exhibited his young bull last show. For the above reasons, as one who has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the Wairarapa Pastoral and Agricultural Society, I beg to enter my protest against the prize being awarded to Mr. Hunter for his bull calf Enchanter, exhibited in December last. —I am, &c, Hr/OH Bektham. The Secretary Wairarapa P. and A. Association, Greytown.

Wellington, November 3, 1576. Sib,—l have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 26th ult., together with a copy of a letter addressed to you by Mr. Hugh Eeetham, dated 20th September, 1870. In reply, I beg to inform you that I did not enter or exhibit the bull calf named Enchanter, to which you refer as a pure-bred, shorthorned animal. It was shown, as you will remember, as a yearling bull of any breed—class No. 13, for the best yearling bull of any breed. In proof of this, I send herewith copy of the schedule of entries sent to you on the 20th November, 1875 ; also, copy of the letter yon were good enougg to forward in reply, in which you stated:—" Thero is no class for bull calves. I called tho attention of stewards to your entries last night, who thought it best to show your calves with yearling bulls, which will be better than placing them against bulls aged." I may also be permitted to call your attention to the P.S. inserted in the schedule of entries, in which I stated:—" Should I bo in error as to the class the bulls (or rather bull calves) come under, please put the entry right. You seo their, age by the date of calving." : I am sorry that you should have thought it right to address such a letter to me, without in the first instance looking into the matter, and satisfyingyourself that there was some foundation for the complaint mado by Mr. Beetham. I need not remind you that for several years past I have incurred considerable expense and perilled the safety of very valuable stock, in order to assist in making the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Association a success, and it is rathor too bad that my good faith should be called in question, and imputations cast upon me for which there is not the slightest justification. I think it right to say that I deeply regret that Mr. Beetham should have gone out of his way to attack me in such an unjustifiable manner. lam well aware that ho and his brothers have felt exceedingly annoyed that I have been able year after year to show stock superior to theirs, and to carry off prizes which they expected to have taken, but still I am of opinion they should have accepted their beating with a good grace, and not have attempted to throw discredit upon an opponent who has always behaved in a straightforward way, and beaten them in a fair and legitimate manner. I understand that this matter has excited considerable interest in your district, and has formed the subject of many discussions. I shall therefore feel myself at, liberty to publish all the correspondence after receiving your reply to this communication.—l am, &c, George Hunter. P.S.—lf you will kindly refer to the schedule of entries, a copy of which I send in case you may not be able to lind the original, you will see that the calves were called short-homed (I did not use the. words pure-bred shorthomed), and that in each instance the names of the sire and dam were given. Also, that I was la doubt as to tho proper class in which to enter the animals, and left you to decide the point. Surely nothing could have been fairer. The conditions of entry do not state for the best purebred shorthomed bull, merely the best shorthorn bull, I will further venture to call your attention to clause No. 0 in tho general rules, which states--" All protests must be left with the secretary before 2 p.m. on the day of show." It seems strange that any question should be raised nearly one year after the show took place and the prizes were awarded. G. H. Mr. Thomas Frethey, Secretary Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Association. Greytown, November 8,1878. Dear Sik,—l am duly in receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, which, with Mr. Beetham's complaint, i will lay before the noxt meeting of the committee, which takes place the first Thursday in December next, and the decision arrived at I will communicate to you immediately after As from the third paragraph of your letter I fear you think I ought not to have forwarded to you Mr. Beetham's complaint, I:beg ,to say. I did so by the direction of the committee: and as the complaint had been made by both Mr. Kockel (verbally) and Mr. Beetham, it would, I think, have been unfair to you not to have sont you a copy of the charge, so that you might have an opportunity of making your own explanation ; and as tho subject has doubtless been freely discussed in the district, it will be better for all parties that it should come beforo the committee in a formal manner; and when being considered, I will be prepared to produce the original entries and the correspondence relative thereto; and the whole boing fresh in mv,memory, can answer any questions which may be put, which I shall be happy to do in an impartial manner. I was quite unaware until recently of any such dissatisfaction existing, and am very sorry such has arisen, and hope it will be satisfactorily settled.—l am, &c, Tuos. Frethey. G. Hunter, Esq., Wellington. Wellington, Novemberl3,lß76. Dear Sir,—l have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your note of the Bth instant, replying to the contents of my letter of the 3rd Instant, and beg to inform you that I was sorry to hear you would not be able to send an answer to my communication until after the committee met in the month of December, as it was my intention to be guided by tho tenor of the committee's report as to whether I should send stock to tho show to be held on the 30th instant. 1 think.l shall venture to do so, once more relying upon receiving the same kind treatment which has always been accorded to me by the society you represent. I feel certain you will do justice to all parties and answer any questions that may be put in a perfectly impartial manner. I ask for nothing but fair play, and want no favors.—l am, &c, Georok Hunter. Mr. Thos. Frethey, Secretary W. and K. C. Agricultural Association, Groytown. Greytown, November 10,1870. Dear Sir,—l have before mo your favor of the 13th, and am pleased to And that you will as nsual forward stock for exhibition at our next show. I onclose a corrected catalogue and entry form. The printer had tho misforturo to burst tho typo after printing a portion, and in rcsotting has mado a number of errors.— I am, &c, Thos. FREtnEV, Secretary W. and E. C. Pastoral Association. Geo. Hunter, Esq., Wellington. Wellington, Novombor 17,1876. Dea R Sir,—l beg to hand the accompanying echedulo, containing particulars of tho stock I purposo exhibiting at the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Association's Show, to take place at Mastorton on the 30th November, 1870, and I send at the same time a cheque for tho sum of &i 10s., that being the amount I make tho entries com ■ to. , I have no list this year to refer to, and have therefore beon guided by the one published last season: If I have made any mistakos I must ask you to bo kind enough to rectify them, and you have full authority to do so on my behalf.. , . ■■ It would have been well to have sent me a list if a fresh one has been issued, as I am a member of the, association, and have generally boon an exhibitor.—-I am, &c, ' - Hoping you will acknowledge receipt of this communication, and lot mo know If the entries aro nil in order. ' ' , Geohm Hunter, Mr. Thomas Frothoy, Secretary. ■ . Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral , Association, Greytown, Wellington. November 17.1870. De.ut Stß,—Your noto of tho 16th inst. (yesterday's ' date), has just como into my possession, and yen will

learn from the contents of the letter I addressed to you this forenoon, that I am making arrangements to send some stoclo-to the show, and regret exceedingly that the exhibition list for this year was not sent to me at an earlier date, as the entries close on Monday, and there will not be time to receive a reply to any point about which I might be in doubt; say, for instance, what is to be understood by four or more strain pure blood ? Is this on the dam's side and also on the sire's? lam also at a loss to comprehend how it is possible to get calves, calved since the Ist January,lß7o, entered in the "NewZetland Herd Book," as I am not aware that any edition of this work has been published t*iis year.—l am, &c, George Hunter. Mr. Thos. Frethey, Secretary • "Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Association, Greytown. P.S.—I will try to send the form ; but you have not left sufficient space for filling in proper particulars. "Wellington, November 18,1876. Dear Sib,—l wrote youlastnightimmediatelyyour noto of tho 16th inst. came Into my possession, but my letter was necessarily brief, as I did not receive yours until nearly 6 o'clock. I asked one or two questions, and hope to receive answers in time to regulate my proceedings with regard to sending up stock to the show to take place on the 30th inst. 1 think it my duty, however, in the strongest possible terms tofprotcst, aB a member of the "Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Association, and also as one who has for years past been in the habit of exhibiting stock, against the unfairness of introducing amended regulations without giving proper warning. In my crro my entries were actually posted before X received any notice of.the intended changes. I can only arrive at the conclusion that the asf ociation, or the moving spirits connected with its management, wish to exclude parties like myself from getting fair play. Ab an illustration I may quote the new condition —" All the above must have been entered in the 'New Zealand Herdßook,' and their pedigreps deposited with the secretary at the time of entry." Had I known three months ago that such a regulation would be enforced, I should have had time to get the young stock I propose exhibiting entered. Now it is out of my power, and parties who were better informed than myself will gain the advantage,—the best stock will not get the prizes,—the competition will be confined to the animals qualified to enter under the new regulations. Your notice is very defective in ma»y particulars. You do not state what prizeß are to be given for draught horses or miscellaneous horses, or for cattle not thoroughbred—(this is a, new term to apply to cattle)—or cattle any breed. I consider the plan of only giving first prizes silver medal, and second prizes a certificate, very objectionable. The system of a silver medal as a first prize, and a bronze one as a second prize, is far better. In conclusion, I would simply say that it appoars to me that in common fairness the old regulations should remain in force for another year, so that proper notice may be given of the intended changes. Hoping you will send me an answer, so that I may know what to do—at present Ifeel very much disposed not to send any exhibits—l am, &c., George Hunter. . Mr. Thos. Frethey, Secretary W. and E. C. Pastoral and Agricultural Association, Greytown. Wellington, November 20,1870. Sea.ii Sir.—l wrote you on Saturday, and now (In order to guard against accidents) send back the .printed form which you sent me, which I have filled up as well as I was able, the spaco left for the sheep being far too small. If the new rules aro to be enforced I shall be obliged to enter the two young bulls under the head of "Cattle of any Breed." One was calved on the 23vd March, 1876, the other on the 30th July, 1876, and there has not b?en time to get the youngest entered in the "Now Zealand Herd Book." You will notice that I have entered a draught stallion, and enclose postage stamps for the sum of ss. I do not think I shall risk sending him, but may do so. I notice that in the class, "Cattle any Breed," there is no mention made of bullß or heifers calved since Ist January, 1876. This is not fair towards me, as lam forced to exhibit in this class, and both my animals are very young. Ido not know whether it would make any difference, but it seems to me that I might insist upon showing them under Class 21—Bull of any ago--and wish a note made of this objection, so that my manager may select in which class to exhibit.—l am, &c, George Hunter. Mr. Thos. Frethey, Secretary, W. and E. C. Pastoral and Agricultural Association, Greytown. Greytown, 20th November, 1876, Dear Sir,—ln reply to yours of the 17th instant, I beg to state that a catalogue was posted to each of the members and, several others, morchants and manufacturers, who would likely be exhibitors on the 30th instant, and I feel certain yours was not omitted, and am sorry to hear you did not receive it. I regret I am not able satisfactorily to answer your question as to how the strains aro to bo counted; whatever is the general rule will I have no doubt be adopted. I ' have had no experience myself in breeding, nor have I any work on the subject to which I can refer. The question as to the " New Zealand Herd Book" being published only once in three years Instead of annually, thereby preventing; the entries of young stock appearing, has been considered bv the stewards, their attention being directed to it only a. few days since. They have decided to allow entries of pure-bred stock, the pedigrees of which do not at present appear in the "New Zealand Herd Book," provided a certificate from the editor be lodged, naming the cattle and stating that the pedigrees are correct and will appear in the next volume. I Bhall always bo glad to receive from you any suggestions which you may deem to be of benefit to the association: I forgot to say. that a telegram from Mr. Bluett will be suflicient; and under the circumstances I will take entries of young cattle you may wish to enter up to the 25th, or the entries perhaps might bo made earlier if you are sure you can get Mr. Bluett's certificate. Later than the 25th would not be in time for our catalogue of exhibits, tho draft of which I must prepare as early as possible, it being so difficult here to get printing done.—l am. &c, Thos. FRETtiEy, Secretary, "W. and E. C. Pastoral Association. G. Hunter; Esq., Wellington. I enclose an extra entry form in case one is not suflicient. Greytown, November 21,1870. Dear. Sir,—Being at Masterton yesterday, and not returning till nine last night, I did not see your letter of the 18th till this morning. I think, however, mine of tho' 20th answers your questions relative to exhibits for this year's show, and I hope we shall rocelvo entries from you as usual. lam sure tho conclusion you have arrived at, viz., that tho stewards wish.to exclude you from exhibiting, is wrohp; and I believe most of them would be disappointed if you did not send stock. Of course I- will lay your letters before the stewards for their considers tion. and I should be glad if members generally would point out anything that may strike them as being defective, and suggost improvements as you have done.—lain, 4c, - Thos Frbthev, Secretary W. and E. E. Pastoral Association. G. Hunter, Esq., Wellington. "Wellington, '2lst November, 187 G. Dear Sir,—l have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your note of the 20th instant, to hand this morning, and in the first plaoe beg to state in reply that I never received the catalogue which you state was posted to my address. The first intimation that any alteration had been made in the rulesfor exhibiting stock at the show, to take place on the 30th inst., only camo into my possession on the evening of tho 17th instant, after I had posted and registered tho entries for the stock I intended to send to the show. It is perfectly clear that the stewards and other parties resident inthe Wairarapa had their attention directed to the difficulty likely to occur in conseqnenco of the Herd Book being only published every threo years. Hence tho remedy they suggested for getting over the difficulty; but this only increases tho unfairness with which I have been treated, and against which I protested in my letter of the 18th inst. I learn on the 17th instant that pedigrees must bo registered in tho " Now. Zealand Herd Book," and have to enter my stock on tho 21st instant. I need not point out that it was impossible to send the necessary documents to tho editor of the Herd Book, and receive a reply in tiino to ontltle me to enter my stock At least six months' notice ought to have been given that amended rules and regulations would be introduced. I may mention, as illustrating the justice of my objections, that I sent a telegram to Mr. Bluett on the 18th inst.; that I paid for the reply, but no answer has been rocelved yet. ■ , ■ You say—" I regret I am not able satisfactorily to answer your question as to how the strains are to be counted. Whatever is tho general rule will. I have no doubt, be adopted." This affords a second illustration. I write arid ask a question, and cannot get an answer in time to be of any service to me in selecting stock for exhibition. _ • I have to thank you for your kind offer to receive amended entries up to the 25th inst, Unfortunately, this concession (even if you had the power to grant it), which I doubt very much, would be of no service to me, and as matters stand at the present time, asking any favor is one of the last things I should think of doing. I feel satisfied that yon will always act fairly, and will do justice to all parties, but I •am sadly afraid this fair Bpirit docs not actuate all the parties connected with the association, or what I now complain of would never havo happened.— I am, &c, • „ George Hunter. Mr. Thos. l'rethoy, Secretary . W. and E. C. Pastoral and Agricultural . Association, Greytown. • PS —I havo received a telegram since the preceding was'written, from Mr. Bluett. That gentleman informs me that tho last number of tho New ZoalaHd Herd Book " was published in the year 1875, and that tho next will appear early In 1877. It was, thorefore out of my powor to register a calf in the Herd Book that was only dropped on tho 30th July, 1876. Greytown, Nov. 23,1876. Dear Sir,—l have to acknowledge tho receiptor yours or 17th, enclosing schedule of entries for show and cheque for £4 10s., in payment of foos, receipt for which I beg to enclose. Please furnish mc with date of birth of tho two young bulls, by whom brod, and pedlgroes. If they aro cattle of any breed, pedigrees not required. You have entered them in class 13. I fear this is an error; but not knowing their ages I am unable to decido, as you call them calves. I enclose this year's list, and will be glad if you will telegraph number of class, the othor particulars will bo in time by mail. I cannot account for your not recolvlng this year's list; on rcferonce to my postage book I find that pno was posted to you on the 3rd inst., and I sent you onotber about a.weok since. I waited on Mr. D. Knight at Tauhorenikau yesterday, and"arranged with him to accommodato your stbek, tho terms to bo the samo as before. The paddock will bo ready whenever tho stock arrives. Whilo writing the abovo, I have received your two lottorsof the 20th and 21st, addressed to mo at Masterton in error, enclosing entries in tho form, with all particulars required, so that it would bo unnecessary for you to telegraph as asked above, I encloso also rocolpt for 55., entrance fee for horse —I am, &c> Thos. Prethet, Secretary W. and E. 0. Pastoral Association, O. Hunter, Esq., Wellington,

Wellington, November 23, 1876. . Dear Sir,—l have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your note of the 21st iußt, to hand this morning, and regret to state in reply that I cannot agree with you in thinking that all the stewards were anxious that I should send exhibits of stock to the show. Had this been the i-ase, a very different course of action would have been followed. You say—"l should be glad if members generally would point out anything that may strike them as being defective, or suggest improvements as you have done." If the stewards had done their duty they would have sent copies of the amended regulations to myself and others six months ago, and have invited suggestions. , Then there would have been no cause for complaint, wherea3 I feel for one, and in all probability others will entertain the same opinion, that a very great injustice has been done in consequence of all the exhibitors not being placed on the same footing. The fact that my entries were all made prior to my being made acquainted with the new rules proves this beyond all question.—l am, &c., George Hunter. Mr. Thomas Frethey, Secretary Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Association, Groytown. "Wellington, Dec. 6,1876. Dear Sir,—l have the pleasure to pcknowledge receipt of your note of the 4th inst., to hand this morning, and beg to state in reply that it was unfortunate you were unable to send particulars of the entries, as it prevented the number in each class being reported in the New Zealand Times as intended had the information asked for been sent. I shall be glad to receive the cards at your convenience, and presume the prizes for last season's show will soon be distributed. v I should like to know to whom the cup has been awarded ; And thanking you for yonr kind' attention to my son and my manager.—lnto, ic, i George Hunter. Mr. Thos. Frethey, Secretary W. & E. C. Pastoral Association, Greytown. Greytown, December 8,1876. Dear Sir,—Yours of the 6th inst. to hand. The ordinary meeting of the committee, which should have been held the first Thursday in this month, is postponed to the 16th inst., when no donbt I shall be instructed to forward the medals to the engraver, when I can send you an order to receive yours from him in Wellington, which will be a saving of time and more convenient. I enclose particulars of points gained by tho three highest prize-takers, from which you will see the cup is won by the Messrs. Seetham with 56 points, you being second with 51.—1 am, &c. Thomas Frethey, Secretary. W. and E. C. Pastoral Association, i G. Hunter, Esq., Wellington. Wellington, December 12,1876. Dear Sir, —I have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the Bth inst., to hand yesterday, and beg to thank you for sending me tho information which "accompanied it. It would be gross affectation on my part if I were to say that I did not feel disappointed that tho first cup given by the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Association did not fall to my lot; at' the same time, it is only right that I should state in the most open manner that I consider I have been very unfairly treated, and that in my opinion a very gross act of .injustice was perpetrated by the committee In appointing Mr. Beetham. one of the judges, when it was well known that I was competing with his brothers for the cup. I think it showed very bad taste on that gentleman's part to act in sucha capacity, or to interfere in any way ; but he not only acted as one of the judges in classes 17 and 24, Cots wolds, but he was also in company with the judges when they were inspecting classes 25 to 32, Lincolns, and my representative, Mr. Robert Mack&y, felt it his duty to remonstrate against his interference. As stated to yon in my letter of the 17th ult., I regard it as most unfair towards myself that changes should have been made in the mode of classing and arranging the stock to be exhibited, and that no intimation was sent to me of the alterations until after I had actually entered my exhibits according to the terms and conditions of the previous year's programme. \The unfairness consisted in tho Messrs. Beetham and others knowing the nature of the proposed changes, and being able to prepare their exhibits accordingly while I was kept entirely in the dark. I am sorry to havo to make use of such strong language, but consider I am fully warranted in doing so by what took place at tho last show. What can be thought of men appointed to act as judges, when, as in Mr. Lowe's case, they refused to allow his ram to compete, simply because it was so much better than any other animal of the same breed exhibited in the olasses 33 to 40, Komney Marsh. It was to all intents and purposes a pure-bred animal, and took the first prize at the last Christchurch show, held as recently as the 9th November; but because it was so unmistakeably superior, the men appointed as judges doubted whether it was what it was represented to be, and actually was, and disqualified it. On tho 27th October, I received a note from you together with copy of a letter which had been addressed to you by Mr. Hugh Beetham, dated 20th Soptember. I replied to your communication on the 3rd November, and the answer I received from you was, that my letter would be laid before the committee and a reply sent to mo. Up to the present time I have heard nothing further from you on the subject, and I shall bo glad to learn what decision the committee came to. I have now to request that you will be good enough to withdraw my name from the list of subscribers to the Wairararapa and East Coast Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Association. I take this course with considerable reluctance and regret, having been a subscriber and a fortunate exhibitor for a good many years; but I feel my success has raised a strong feeling against me, and that when it was found that I could not be beaten by fair means, then unfair measures were resorted to; and it being out of my power to counteract certain influences, there is no other course left open for mo but to withdraw. In closing my connection with the Wairarapa. and East Coast Pastoral. Agricultural, and Horticultural Association, I have to thank you for your great kindness and attention. T absolvo you from all blame or participation in the injustice which has been inflicted upon me; and although I did not obtain the cup, I have the satisfaction of knowingthat notwithstanding the fact that I reside in Wellington, and have to contend against all the disadvantages necessarily attendant upon having to send my exhibits of stock such a distance, still even on the last occasion I took the largest number of first-class prizes. I address this letter to you in your capacity of Secretary to the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Agricultural, and Horticultural Association, in order that it may be placed before the committee.—l am, &c., George Hunter. Thos. Frethey, Esq., Secretary W. ond.E. C. Pastoral, Agricultural, and • Horticultural Association, Greytown, • ■ ■ • Groytown, December 18. ■ Dear Sir, —I have the honor, by direction of the committee, to forward to you the following copy of a resolution passed at a meeting held on the 16th inst., viz.:—The committee having carefully conaideredthe correspondence from Mr. H. Beetham and Mr. Hunter with reference to a young bull Enchanter, shown by the latter gentleman at the Pastoral and Auricultural Show, held in Masterton in 1875. hive arrived at the following conclusions:—' . . ~ . „ 1. That there is nothing to show that the bull was entered as pure-bred. . ~ ..... 2. That there is also nothing to show that the pedigree, as furnished by Mr. Hunter, was not correct. ' 3. That Mr. Hunter appears to have taken every | care to enter the animal in the proper class. The committee are therefore of opinion that Mr. Beetham's protest against the prize being given to Mr. Hunter cannot be sustained. I am instructed by the committee, in sending the above resolution, to express their regret that owing to what has clearly been a misunderstanding of the conditions of entry by Mr. Beetham, you should have been subjected to the annoyance of which you complain in the matter, and trust that you will consider: tho decision arrived at as satisfactory.—l am, &c, Thos. Frethey, Secretary. G. Hunter, Esq., Wellington, Wellington, December 20, 1870.; Dear Sir,—l havo the pleasure to; acknowledge reoelot of your favor of the 18th instant, to hand this morning, and in reply beg to stateThat I was pleased to learn that the Committee of the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Association had, after careful consideration, arrived at the conclusion that there was no foundation for tho charges preferred against mo in the letter addressed to the association by >Mr. Hugh Beetham,; dated Soptember 20,1870 ; That I feel bound to protest in tho strongest possible terms against the injustice to which I havo been subjected in the matter. Mr. Beetham's accusation was preferred on the 20th Sept., the first intimation I received reached me on the 27th October. Ireplied on the 3rd November, furnishing clear evidenco rebutting tho charges, and yet the matter was not dealt with by the committee untiltho 16th December. Tho show took place on tho 30th Novembor; and it was well known in the district that a gross slur had been cast on my charactor, which may have influenced tho judges, and certainly operated to my disadvantage when ray manager was endeavoring to affect sales of the stock I sent to the show ; but owing to the action of tho committee this was not cleared away untlllast Saturday. > In your letter of tho Bth November, 1876, you stated—" As from the third paragraph of your letter I fear you think I ought not to havo forwarded to you Mr. Beetham's complaint, I beg to say that I did so by the direction of tho committee; and as the complaint had been mado by both Mr. Kockel (verbally) and Mr. Beetham. it would, I think, havo beon unfair to you not to havo sent you a copy of the charge, so that you might have an opportunity of making your own explanation ; and as tho subject has doubtless been freely discussed in tho district, it will be better for all parties that it should corao beforo tho. committee in a formal manner, and when boing considered I will be preparod to produce the original entries and the corrospondonco relative thereto; and the whole being fresh in my memory, can answer any questions which may be put, which I shall be happy to do in an impartial manner. I was quite unaware until recently of any such dissatisfacation existing, and am very sorry such has arison, and hopo it will bo satisfactorily settlod." This proves that the committee were evid- i ently aware that the Bubject had beon freely discussed in tho district; and I again repeat that I consider it was most unfair to delay coming to a decision until after tho show had taken place.—l am, &c„ George Hunter. Mr. Thos. Frecthey, Secretary, • ■ W. and E. C. Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Association, Greytown, Groytown, December 18,1870. Dhar Sir,—T havo the honor on behalf of the commiteeto acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12thinst., and in reply, am instructed to inform you of the very great regret of tho committee that so old and Valuable ft member as yourself should bring such charges against the management as you have done. They aro of opinion that you can only have done «o* under a complete misnudorßtandinj of tho fafctS to which you refer, and wcraM h*ve been

most happy to have explained the various matters, if brought before them in the usual manner in such cases ; but accompanied as they are by charges of partiality and unfairness, which are entirely unfounded, they do not think it necessary to do more than assure you that you have brought forward most unjust accusations. The committee regret that you should think it necessary to withdraw from an associati'in, w-ach they hope to make-of future use, and trust that on reconsideration, you may alter your determination on this point.—l am, &c, Thos. Fretdey, Secretary "SV. and E. G. P. A. and H. Association. G. Hunter, Esq., Wellington. Wellington. December 20, 1870. Dear. Sib,—Your letter of the 18th instant, replying to mine of the 12th instant, came to hand this morning, and I regret to find that the committee directed you to send me a vague and general rejoinder, instead of meeting boldly the charges which I preferred, namelyFirst—That it was very unfair to make alterations in the rules regulating the exhibits of stock without placing all parties likely to be interested on an equal footing, and giving them ample time to prepare for the changes which the new system would introduce. Second— i hat. it was highly improper to appoint Mr. Beetham as one of the judges, when the committee knew very well that his iTOther and myself would be competing for the cup, and that Mr. Hugh Beetham had shown that he bore me no goodwill by lodging a complaint against me, which the committee have since decided there was no just grounds for doing, and could only be regarded as frivolous and vexatious. I see no reason to alter my determination to withdraw from the association, and rely upon you at once removing my name from the list of subscribers to the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Association. As intimated in my letter of the 3rd Nevember, I Bhall take steps to have all the correspondence which has passed between us published as early as possible, —lam, &c, George Hunter. Mr. Thos. Frethey, Secretary W. and E. C. Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Association, Greytown.