NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 744, 29 August 1878, Page 2

NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The monthly meeting cf the Committee of the above Association was held at the Secretary's office to r day. There were present —Messrs. Morton (in the chair), Ronayne, M'Lennan, Donaldson, Gil1. spie, Spence, Hedley, Orr, Mitchell, Meek, Jack, Connell, Little, Gemmell, Henderson, Young, Kerr, and Church (Secretary). The m'nutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the correspondence was read and approved. The Hon. M. Holmes wrote with reference to his offer of a prise of LlO IQs. I for the best essay on rotation of' crops, leaving it to the Committee to spend the money for the purpose. It was decided to advertise the prize with the other special prizes. With reference to the Show Ground question, the Hon. M. Holmes wrote, stating that he had always to let the Association haye the land near Deborah on their own terms, as it wa3 by far the most suitable for the purpose in the neighborhood of Oamaru. He also stated that he had written to Mr. Connell to confirm the sale on the terms offered by the Association, and to arrange with Mr. Morgan for hi? interest in the lease of the portion required, and' to pay' him on his (Mr. Holmes') account,

Mr. Connell also read a.letter received by him from the Hon. M. Holmes to the same effect. I Some discussion took place upon the subject, several members expressing the opiniou that it was not competent to settle the matter at that meeting. Eventually Mr. Connell gave notice that he would move at the next monthly meeting, " That this Committee ratify the purchase of the paddock at Deborah, on I the east side of the railway line, now I leased to Mr. Morgan, provided Mr. Holmes makes arrangements with Mr. Morgan as regards getting immediate possession, and also arranges for road-line from the railway station at Deborah." The Committee then proceeded to elect several Judges for the next Show, in the room of several who had declined to act. It was decided to call for tenders for the lease of the Show Ground on the same conditions as last year. The Cup Committee was authorised to procure the Cups or Pieces of Plate for the next Show, the prizes to be on view in town one fortnight before the Show. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.