AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Southland Times, Issue 1321, 14 October 1870, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of subscribers took place in tlie hall of the Prince of "Wales Hotel, on "Wednesday last. In tbe absence of the President and Vice-president, Mr Johnston was voted to the chair. The secretary, Mr Macrorie, read the following report :— . "The directors, in meeting the subscribers, have to congratulate them on the manner in which the Society has received public support, and although the balance sheet is not in the position that might have been anticipated, they feel satis: fied a careful examination will prove that the success of the institution is established, and that financial difficulties will cease with this year^ It will be remembered that, after deducting 10 per cent, for wear and tear, the yards were valued last year at £270. Since then a further outlay of £137 15s has been made, which, after deducting 10 percent, as before, leaves an estimated value of £366 19s 6d. During the ensuing year there will be no necea- ] sity for any further expense being in- 1 curred upon them. Out of the year's receipts a sum of £150 was expended upon the preceding year's medals and prizes, which accounts for the new .financial ...year, commencing again with a cash deficiency. The Yard Committee had no intention at first of laying out so

large a sum on the property, but they are satisfied in having made a complete work, it will prove more beneficial in the end. The medals obtained a^gksli3i£f^ fl %!^ have not yet been^ffei^^^Kli^ reason that a^yourJdirecißo'ra Kave made, _Ai?»n'gemeii^B\-f6r iial'die to be cut, to be-' jcdm|i:the property, of the Association, and therefore to be "used in future years, it will fbe necessary, ,aa \the province of Southland has now ceased to exja^ jtnat you, should at once be p repareH to adopt a suitable title for the Association, so as to get it engraved upon the medal. This can be done and the medals distributed before the next show, which, in accordance with the resolution passed last year, falls to be Tield on the Bth December. Tour directors have lost the services of several members during the year, which vacancies will have to be filled up, as well as the places of the seven members who fall to retire by the effluxion ofHime. They trust you will elect those who are likely to interest .themselves in the work of the Association, as they have :had to contend during their year of office against the difficulties of a small body, inasmuch as the President, being a country resident, " he has seldom had an opportunity of exercising his functions. The resignation of the Vice-president the day after the show — a circumstance with 'which the directors could not deal — will be brought before you in the, shape, of correspondences • The departure from the province of other members, and the fact that some country members have never taken their seats, are all causes which combined to leave the active duties of the . office on the remaining few. In conclusion, your d-rectors would suggest for consideration that as it will be necessary to change the title of the Society, whether or not a complete reorganisation should not take place at the election of office-bearers.** The financial statement was also read, showing the assets as follows : — Good subscriptions to collect ..." £21 12 O Estimated amouut of Mr Ball's list 50 0 0 Balance in hand ... ... ... 21 15: 1 Estimated ralue of Sards, after deducting 10 per cent, for wear and tear « 3S*J 19 6 £463 6 7 The liabilities were~Imdlaw, account for Yard? ... £S7 J5. 0 Medals ... ... ... ... -6$ .0 0 Prize money ... ... "" ... 49 .0 0 Estimated advertising account ... "' 5' 0 0 Estimated surplus... ... . ... 28511 7 . V; ' : '■■;[' «468 6 7 The report was adopted, and a few explanations made in reference to the balance-sheet. The following gentlemen were elec^d"6ffice-be:»rera f6Fthl>~ensuin» year: — President, M> J. D ilglieah ; Vicepresident, Mr K. Hamilton; Secretary, Mr D. Macrorie. Directors : Messrs J. Sutton, Wm. Cochran, A. Dunlop, J. Morton, E. Coupland, G. M. Bell, and W.B. Kingswell. : Auditor: Q-.'S. Crouch. Specimen medals and one original drawing were submitted to the meeting for selection of a design. Eventually,, a medal issued by the Renfrewshire. Agricultural Association (Scotland) was adopted, with a slight variation— a flax bush being the substituted device; '; the motion of Mir "Waddell, seconded by Mr Warnock.it was agreed that in future the ages of all cattle or horses brought forward for exhibition should ba reckoned from the Ist day of July. Instructions were given that this provision should be embodied in the Society?* rules. A lengthened discussion took place on a motion tabled by Mr Hamilton that the owners of all stock exhibited should be prohibited fro n leaiing the animals in the ring The arguments adduced in favor of the proposition were based on the bpintonthat the judges were liable to b 3 influenced by such owners in their decisions. An amendment by Mr \ Waddell that the m ; tHwr should jbe allowed to s'tanl as at present was urge! on the. ground that the owners bein:; ifSst : acquainted.with the dispositions ot their animals, were best fitted to control^them while undar ; inspection. He moreover suggested 1 that it would be , a hardship to compel exhibitors to hire persons to take "charge of their stock at' the show. THe motion and amendmint were put to the vote^when. the latter. was carried.byia large majority. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.