OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 9

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY

The monthly meeting of the committee of tKe Ota-go -A-gTrioTxlfcura.] and Pastoral Society was held on February 27 ; present — Messrs E. F. Duthie (president, in the chair), Jas. Hazleifc, J. R. Scott, A. M'Farlane, R, H. Hunter- Westoji, J. W. Blair, A. Johnson, John Elliot, Jas. Ross, W. Patrick, J. A. Roberts, J. Nimmo, J. Angus, W. Souter, A. Todd, P. Pattullo, W. Burnett, A. Fleming, T. Ritchie, J. Patrick, T. E. Jefcoate, and E. Bowler. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs J. Loudon (mayor of Dunedin), F. Oldham, and W. Charters. Mr Edmund James, Temuka, wrote enclosing a cheque for £10 10s aa a subscription to the society. He congratulated the committee on the success of its recent shows, and wished it continued prosperity. The letter and donation were received with, thanks. Mr James Shiel wrote resigning from the committee, as he is about to leave New Zealand to reside in Great Britain. He etated that it was with great regret that he had to sever his connection with a society that had done so much good work for agricultural and pastoral interests, in Otago particularly. — Mr Shiel's resignation was accepted with regret, and tho following resolution was placed on the minutes : "That the resignation of Mr James Shiel, expresident and member of committee, be accepted with regret, and that this meeting desires to express its high appreciation of the valuable services rendered by him in extending and promoting the agricultural interests of New Zealand and especially those of this society, of which he has been & continuous member of committee since 1891."

The secretary of the Southland A. and P. Association wrote giving full particulars with regard to the rules relating to disqualification, and stating that his committee would support resolutions in the same direction passed by kindred societies. The committee was of opinion that the next agricultural conference should discuss disqualification rules with a view to having uniformity adopted throughout New Zealand. — The letter was received with thanks.

The eecretary of the Auckland A. and P. Association wrote pointing out that at recent agricultural shows some exhibitors had objected to champion awards being given to yearling animals, on the ground that no one could tell how these would turn out when they matured, and asking 1 whether the Otago Society had any regulations bearing on the point and whether any instructions were issued to judges requesting them to give preference to older 6tock>. — After considerable discussion it was resolved to reply that the committee was of opinion that the matter should be left entirely in the hands of the judges.

Mr W. H. Munro, of Otekaike, wrote with reference to various classes in connection with the Winter Show, suggesting alterations in the bread and scone classes, etc. — It was decided to refer the requests to a sub-committee to report.

The manager of the Cheltenham Co-opera-tive Dairy Company wrote with reference to the butter classes for the Winter Show, open to North Island exhibitors, suggesting that the number of boxes of butter in one class be reduced from two to one, with a view to drawing more entries. — After considerable consideration it was resolved to comply with the request.

A large amount of detail business in connection with the Winter Show was considered, and accounts amounting to £32 12a 9d were passed for payment. The committee then went carefully through the schedule of prizes for the Winter Show, which opens on June 2. All the classes were revised, and the prizemoney was increased in several sections with a view to inducing large entries. Careful attention was also given to the section for school competitions with the object of increasing the interest taken by young people in the classes open to them. The schedule of prizes will shortly be issued.

With a view to enabling children to visit both the Summer and Winter Shows, the President moved : " That this meeting respectfully request the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture to arrange that any holiday granted for the purpose of allowing sohoofchikbren to attend agricultural shows be not included in the number of holidays now allotted to school committees under the Education Board's new regulations, and that the committee further consider that in the interests of the children, of education, and of the Dominion generally, every facility and opportunity should be afforded school children to attend agricultural shows." — The motion was seconded by Mr James Hazlott end carried unanimously. It was further resolved that the co-operation of kindred societies be invited in the matter.