The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 314, 20 April 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1878.

Last Session an Act was passed by the New Zealand Legislature, entitled “ An Act for the incorporation of Agricultural and other Societies of a kindred nature,” MrT. Kelly, M.H.IL for New Plymouth, was first to move in the. Assembly, in the interests of Agricultural Societies, which he did on the 26th July, a few days after Parliament opened, by asking if it was the intention of the Government to place a sum of money on the estimates in aid of Agricultural and Pastoral Societies, as had previously been done by the Provincial Governments. He stated that the legislatures of the colonies of Australia, and other colonies, without exception, gave annual grants in aid of Agricultural Societies, varying from £ 1,000, given by the Colony of the Capo of Good Hope, to £6,300 given by Victoria. Mr iteid, on behalf of the Government, stated thatitwas not the intention of Government to place a sum on the estimates for that purpose, for the reason that they did not see why those two industries should bo specially selected to receive grants, and in his (Mr Jicid’s) opinion, grants from Government destroyed ail the interest which would otherwise be taken by private persons in such societies. Later on in the session, 3rd October, Mr Kelly moved that the House resolve itself into Committee of the whole, for the purpose of placing £2,000 on the Supplementary estimates iu aid of Agricultural and Pastoral Societies. Next day the question was discussed in committee, and lost on division, by 2.3 votes to of, giving a majority against'thc motion, of 9 votes. The argument used by Mr Kelly in support of the motion was, that agricultural and pastoral pursuits were followed by three-fourths of the whole population, and these societies proved a means of providing technical education for agricultural classes. In many districts, societies taught youugmen to plough and shear sheep. They also encouraged the production of first-class stock, and the manufacture of first-class agricultural implements, and by such moans helped to dcvelopo the resources of the country, which were mainly agricultural. Mr Fox, while professing himself favorably disposed, and anxious to give encouragement to agricultural pursuits, was chiefly instrumental in upsetting the vote, by proposing an addition to the motion, that 1,000 be also voted in aid to temperance and total abstinence societies. About twenty members took part in the discussion. Though the Assembly would not agree to vote money in aid, the Bill introduced by Mr Hall, in the Upper House, to allow of the Incorporation of Agricultural and kindred societies, was readily passed, by both the Upper and Lower Houses. The Hon. Mr Hall, in introducing the measure, pointed out that on account of the increasing number and importance of Agricultural Societies throughout the colony, it would save Parliament a great deal of trouble, if a general Act was passed, allowing societies to bo incorporated by tbo Government. The Act passed nearly in the form in which it was introduced, and briefly stated, enables associations of fifty or more persons, on petition of not fewer than twothirds of the number, to become a corporate body, by a style and title to be named in Order-in-Couucil incorporating the same. Such corporate body to have perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to hold land, sue and be sued, and transact any business common to corporate bodies. Full power is given to societies to males avid, alter rules

and regulations, and make bye-laws, appoint officers, fix salaries or allowances to be paid, amount of annual contribution, and generally to deal with funds and properties in such manner as may bo decided at general meetings, to be most conducive to the interest of the societies. The Act contains general rules to be applicable to all societies, in which it is required that the Treasurer shall annually make out a detailed account of income and expenditure, and of the state of the society’s funds. After audit, the statement of accounts, together with report of the proceedings for the year, will require to be forwarded to the General Assembly. The following- danse gives in detail the objects to be pursued by societies incorporated under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act: Clause 8. The objects of every society incorporated under this Act shall be, — 1. To collect such information contained in agricultural publications and in other works as has been proved by practical experience to be useful to the cultivators of the soil :

2. To correspond with agricultural and other societies, and to select from such correspondence all information which, according to the opinion of the society, may be likely to lead to practical benefit to the cultivator of the soil :

3. To pay to any occupier of laud or other person who shall undertake, at the request of the society, to ascertain by any experiment how far such information leads to useful results in practice, a remuneration

for any loss that lie may incur in doing so : _ : 4. To encourage men of science in their attention to the improvement of agricultural implements?, the application of chemistry to the general purposes of agriculture, the (1 c.sirucl ion of insects injurious to vegetable life, and the eradication of weeds : 5. 'ho promote the discovery of now varieties of grain and other vegetables useful to man or for the food of domestic animals : G. To collect information with regard to the management of woods, plantations, and fences, and on every other subject connected with rural improvement : 7. To lake measures for improving the veterinary art as applied to horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs : 8. At the meetings of the society, by the distribution of prizes, and by other means, to encourage the best mode of farm cultivation and to improve the, breed of live stock :

0. To encourage enterprise and industry by the bolding of meetings foi* the exhibition of hnplomenls and produce, the. granting of prizes thereat for the host exhibits, and for competitions for prizes for inventions or improvements, or for skill or excellence, in agricultural or pastoral ruts.

Wo understand that there is intention on the part of members of the Pa to a District Agricultural and Pastoral Association to move that steps be taken to get the Association incorporated. There are at present over sixty paying members on the hooks, with a tendency to further increase. The advantages of association are too well known to require recapitulation. Immense good has already been accomplished by the various agricultural associations throughout the colony, working as they have clone independently of each other. By enrolling under the new Act many direct advantages will bp secured, besides which, the enrolled societies, all having the same objects in view, by acting in concert, will ho enabled to make themselves felt in Parikanout, and so influence legislation in the many matters of interest to farming communities. At the last meeting of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, a resolution was carried authorising the committee to take the necessary steps to got the society incorporated. Wo hope a similar resolution will be passed at the coming meeting meeting of the Patea Association.