NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 25 November 1880, Page 2

NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A special meeting of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held to-day, at noon. Present—Messrs. Neil Fleming (in the chair), Hedley, Donaldson, Gemmell, Little, Mitchell, Henderson, Aikenhead, Morton, Ronayne, and Church (Secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved. A letter was read from Mr. A. Graham complaining of the award of a second instead of a first prize to him for his exhibit of cheese, which was adjudged by the judges to be the beat exhibited. Messrs. Gemmell, Hedley, and Morton argued that if the cheese was worthy of a second prize, it was worthy of a first. Mr. Gemmell moved that the Secretary be instructed to give Mr. Graham the first prize. Mr. Fleming said that it was not within the power of the Committee to reverse the decision of the judges. Mr. Morton coincided with Mr. Gemmell's opinions. Messrs. Gemmell and Morton maintained that it was a great insult to the exhibitor to imply by withholding the first prise that Mr. Graham's cheese was only worthy of a second. Mr. Fleming said they could only express disapproval. Mr. Morton moved, and Mr. Gemmell sympathy vith Mr. A. '(graham,

regret that it is not within their power td reverse their decision ; also, that the stewards did not take steps to prevent t!io occurrence of the hardship of which Mr, Graham complains.

A letter was read from Mr. W. Jonnor of Rothesay, offering to <ittend any meetings of the Association to lecture on aonio of the many subjects of practical interest to the farmers of this district. The letter was received.

A number of accounts were passed fnr payment subject to the approval of the Finance Committee.

Messrs. Hedley and Connell were appointed a sub-committee to check over the prize-lists and the payment of judges. The Secretary stated that he believed that the show would about pay itself, but this result had been brought about by the exercise of the greatest amount of economy. The total amount of prize money was L 439 13s.