AGRICULTRAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 21

AGRICULTRAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Timaru A. and" P. Association was held on the Bth inst., Mr R. Irving (president) in the chair. The Waimato Association intimated that they had fixed the 7th, or 9th of March for their ram fair, and the Canterbury Association wrote that theirs would be held on the 12th and 13th. Ashburton had not yet fixed a date. M;" Guinness recommended Tuesday, 31st, foi the Timaru ram fair, and this was adopted; entries to be made on Friday, 27th, sal« to commence at 12.15 p.m. In a conversat.on about the limited time available, Mr Lowry said there was a iot of time losj by selling rams singly. At Christohurch trie first pen of each man was sold singly, and then by fives. Mr Grant said that at Christchurch this year no sheep would be sold singh-. If a man wanted one ram he must get it from the studs. Objection was made that a man who wanted one or* two rams might prefer animals that ho saw in other pens, and he should have a chance to bid for his choice. Mr Lya.ll suggested that if a vendor wanted his sheep. sold singly he could divide his sales among the auctioneers, and get as many "first ;h ns" as auctioneers. In reply it was said that the "lot" meant the owner's, not the agent's lot. Mr Low rv made a motion, which after some alteration was carried in the following form: — "When any agent ha? an entry of 25 or over fiom any vendor, he may sell the first two pens singly, the balance in lots of five; in entries under 25, the first pen singly, the balance in lols» of li\e."

The annual meeting of the Canterbury Saleyards Company (Ltd.) was held on the 11th inst., Mr E G. Staveley (chairman. of d' rectors) presiding. The report stated! tnat the company had had a successful year, notwithstanding very considerable improvements that had br>en made to the yards. The quantiry of stock passed through the yards duung the 12 months had been 673 221 sheep, 25,116 pigs, and 27,078 cattle. The profit and loss statement, after providing for depreciation, showed a balance of £1263 8s 4d, which with the balance carried forward from the previous year, after pa 3* in 3 the dividend, left a total of £1333 7s 6d. From that sum an interim dividend of 4 per cent, had been paid, absorbing £616 2s 7d, lea\ nig- a balance to bo dealt with of £717 4s lid. It was propose J to pay a dividend of 4 per cent, on the paid-up capital, amounting to £616 '2i ?d, making a total dividend of 8 per cent, for the year, and to carry forward £101 2s lid. Ihc statement of profit and losj for tlu year showed expends amounting to £2621 4s 3d. Thr> receipts had been : Yard and other fees £2975 6s 4d, rents £511 ss, iniere&i £359 8s sd. transfer fees £1 7s 6d, Sockburn yards £37 5s -4d ; total, £3884 12s 7d. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Mes<=>s F. C. Murray, E. G. StaveVy. and F. A. Archer, the retiring