FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 410, 16 September 1876, Page 2

FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING.

A public meeting was held at the Waerenga-a-hika Hotel, on Thursday evening last, to Consider the advisability of forming a Farmers’ Agricultural Association. A number of influential settlers were present, and the meeting was well attended in every respect. Mr J. O’Meara was voted to the chair, and read the announcement calling the meeting. He then called upon Mr Walsh to address. the meeting. Mr Walsh said he thought it was necessary to move in this matter, and in doing so he would call attention to the amount of money sent out of the district for certain products which ought to be grown within it. He thought it was inadvisable to form another Society if the object of the Agriculturists could be gained without it. There might have been some misunderstandingin the matter but he thought the Agricultural and Pastoral Society did not show the interest in the matter that they should have done. He would therefore move “ That an Association be formed for the purpose of promoting Agriculture within this district.” Mr Davis said, in seconding the resolution, he thought the necessity arose from a want of courtesy exhibited at the Agricultural aud Pastoral Society at the annual meeting. He thought two Societies would not thrive, but the snubbing the Agriculturists received should be redressed. There should be two shows in the year, and he thought the breach could be healed with a little tact. He considered that a Farmers’ Association was necessary, but not to act antagonistically to the original Society. Mr Parsons said he was surprised to hear Mr Davis say that Mr Walsh's motion at the annual meeting met with discourtesy. He thought the farmers ought to have attended the meeting and advocated their views. He thought another society would be prejudicial, if not hostile. Mr Williams said that in Australia it was usual for the farmers to form themselves into an association for the purpose of discussion amongst themselves. Mr Poynter was sorry to find that the discussion had assumed the form it had. He acted as Chairman of the Annual Meeting, and certajnlj’ allowed no snubbing or discourtesy. Mr Walsh certainly made a proposition, but it found no seconder. As President he could only say that if funds were sufficient, the Society would only bo too glad to have two shows in the year if they were necessary. Sheep were not considered first, but the interests of all were matters of equal solicitation. He hoped the meeting would not be led away by “ grievances,” which is always a popular theme. Opposition would not be beneficial.

Mr. J. W. Johnson asked if there were any means at the disposal of the Society to have a second show. Mr Poynter said it was merely a matter of funds. If the gentlemen present would support the existing Society, he thought two meetings could be held annually. Mr Johnson thought that an agricultural show was necessary. Sheep and wool were all very well, but agriculture should be more favorably considered. He would, therefore, propose an amendment —“ That this meeting be adjourned until its promoters have consulted with the Committee of the original Society, to urge upon them the necessity of promoting the agricultural interests more than hitherto.” Seconded by Mr Chambers. Mr M. Hall addresse’d the meeting at some length to show that the agricultural interests of the settlers had been provided for by the existing Society. Mr Poynter said it was necessary to dissociate’ the Society from the public. If the majority of members wanted the meeting at an advanced season of the year they could have it. Mr Tutchen thought that the next Show should be held in March; one good Show was better than two bad ones. The Agriculturists were not getting justice, for they had nothing to show in October, and he suggested that the Society’s Show be altered from October 1876 to March 1877. The Chairman then put Mr Johnson’s amendment to the meeting which was declared carried. Mr Keating suggested that Mr Walsh should obtain the co-operation of the farmers of ' the district and form an Association independent of the existing Society. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman, and the business for which the meeting was called being over, Mr O’Meara vacated the chair, and Mr W. J. Johnson was voted to it, whereupon Mr O’Meara said that he had been asked to frame a kind of petition to be sent to the Government, in regard to the disposition of the Patutahi Block. The opinion of the agriculturists of Poverty Bay was necessary to be pressed upon the Government, and he considered the present an opportune moment in which to do so. He had prepared a petition to be presented to the Government through our representative,Captain Morris, suggesting that the Patutahi Block should be sold on deferred payments, with improvement clauses. Mr Williams deprecated the proposal of charging interest on any system of deferred payments that may be decided on. Messrs Tutchen, Parsons, Davis, and others, having expressed their opinions, it was ultimately moved by Mr Davis — “ That Captain Morris be communicated with by the Chairman of the meeting urging on him the desirability of securing the sale of the Patutahi Block on a system of deferred payments,” seconded by Mr Webb and carried. Mr Davis moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman and the meeting separated.