A. AND P. SHOWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 9

A. AND P. SHOWS.

CARRIAGE OP STOCK. DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS. A deputation from the Otago A. and P. Society waited upon the Minister of Railways on Friday afternoon in euporfc of the resolution recently carried by the Agricultural Conference at Wellington — namely, "That all exhibits consigned to a, show

should, without any certificates, be carried at quarter rates, and that all such exhibits, ' or a part thereof, if returned to the original sending station within a stated time, be also charged quarter rate, the returning stock to be consigned by the association at whose show the stock was ' exhibited, ard, which association will be responsible to the Railway Department that only the original exhibits, or part thereof, are returned." The deputation pointed out to the Minister tWt under existing arrangements considerable annoyance was caused to exhibitors by tbe existence of the three railway certificates, and the resolution proposed by the Otago A. and P. Society, which was recently carried by the Agricultural Conference in Wellington, that quarter rates be charged each way, the agricultural society guaranteeing that the stock was exhibited at its show, and signing a declaration on consignment note when stock was returning to the original station, would meet the requirements of the Railway Department. • Mr Loudon, vioe-presiden^ of the society, stated tfoat if this arrangement oould te brought about the popularity of all the A. and V. shows would be greatly increased, and Mr Jefooate stated that exhibitors 'from the country would welcome the change in the direction indicated. Mr Fulton fully explained the details in connection with these certificates, and men- . tioned that some refunds in connection with stock exhibited at the late Otago winter show had not yet been settled. The Minister stated to the deputation thai, he considered the "proposal a reasonable and business-like one. and seeing that the alteration suggested did not in any way affect the railway revenue, he would endeavour to meet the wishes of the A. and P. Association in this direction. Mr Loudon, on behalf of the Otago A. and P. Society, thanked Mr Millar, for his womised assistance, and the deputation withdrew. .