SOUTHLAND A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 38

SOUTHLAND A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL REPORT. (Fboji Oub Owh Cobbzspqxdent.} INVEECARGILL, August 15. The report to be presented to the annual meeting of the association (on the 28th inst.) states that the association opened the year with £526 cash in hand and in the* bank, and after disbursing altogether £2083 had left £472 12s Bd. The report goes on :—": — " Operations/ at the new show ground have been steadily carried on. and the results are eminently satisfactory. There was an exceptionally heavy flood last spring, said to be the , worst for 20 years, accompanied by an unusually high tide and a south-wester, and the embankment proved sufficient to resist all encroachment by these, and although a large boat which got adrift knocked a hole in the northern wall, thereby causing the ground to be flooded, yet this important fact remains — namely, that the bank resisted all presure irom without caused by the flood waters. Sine© then the sea wall on the wett has been etrengthened, and faced with concrete ! so as to make assurance doubly sure. '1 he ground was ploughed last year, aud a crop -of rape and turnip sown,, which proved most luxuriant. Since that was eaten off by cattle it has been ploughed for the second time, and the result is thoroughly satisfactory, as anyone can see. Arrangements are now in progress for laying down the private siding, so that we may be able to claim the balance of the Government subsidy.' The drainage scheme continues' to work satisfactorily. Anj remarks on the show ' grounds would be incomplete if they did not include some reference to the reclamation scheme, which is attracting so much public attention at present, but all

f that need be said in the meantime is that the carrying out of 6uch a scheme, whether on a large or a small scale, cannot be other than beneficial to the interests of the association. The directors have much pleasure ; in stating that Mr John Sawers, who | won the 60-guinea trophy at three successive winter shows, has presented the sum ; of £25 to be expended on the purchase of a gold watch for most points in cheese, to be competed for at future winter shows on much the same lines as the trophy which he himself won. The £25 j has already been paid to the society, ! and is now earning interest. Mr Sawers , wishes it known that he will not compete for this prize. It has been decided to j make the experiment of judging and I giving prizes at the approaching horse parade in October next. It has also been decided to have three judges at the next summer show for the classes for breeding draughts. The last winter show was kept open for three days, instead of two as hitherto. The result was highly encouraging, and fully justifies the same course being adopted next year."