TARANAKI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 5 December 1907, Page 2

TARANAKI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

There was a large attendance last night at a meeting 01 the Taranaki Agricultural Society's general committee, Air. W. Ambury presiding. Other members present were-Alessrs. 0. W. Sole, A. N. Mills, \V. Stanley, X. Hill, J. K. Hill, G. Co;son, F. E. Orbell, C. Uoskin, \V. G. Alalone, K. Webster, A. Cliff, F. Watson J. S. Connect, F. Cornwall, and K. Eliot. Apologies were received from Messrs. A. E. Sykes, A. W. Wood, H. Okey, AI.H.P., and C. V. Stead. ' H£W MEMBERS.

The following new members were elected:—.Messrs. P. S. Whitcorube, P. Bat ley (Tongaporutu), M. Johnston, It. Dingle, A. E. Phillips, V. O'Brien, J. Robertson, G. N. Skelton, and A. F. Chapman. A PROTEST. Mr. C. Hoskin having lodged a protest against Gus Sole in the class for best yearling by Lord Roberts (Air. I'ui'die's special prize), it was decided to ask Mr. Sole to prove ownership. RAILWAY FACILITIES.

The secretary said Air. A. Buchanan, of l'almerston North, hud requested him to bring before the meeting the matter of communicating with the Jlauawatu A. and P. Association upon the question of securing greater attention on the part of the railway officials to travelling show stock. Air. Sole .said there was need for action. He had had some experience himself. He had had some bullocks coming from Waverley. At Patea a passenger told the guard that some of the beasts had fallen down and were being trampled. No notice was taken. At Stratford the guard was prevailed upon to shunt the trucks off, and several bullocks were taken out dead. He could fully sympathise with Mr. Buchanan in the'loss of his cow upon the railway. Air. Colson asked whether Air. Buchanan had sent a man on the train to look after his cattle. The secretary said Air. Buchanan had not known he could send a man on the train.

Mr. Malone said that the owner, when shipping valuable stock, should take more care of his stock and make some provision for accident. There was the possibility of serious complications sometimes if cattle were turned out of the trucks by the guards into adjoining properties, as suggested. The chairman said the business of the railway people was to carry the stock. Some "of the officials took no further interest in the load. There were, however, exceptions. They had to run their trains, of course, to timetable. Mr. Urbell thought some improvement could he eH'cctcd. Mr. Malone suggested a small committee to ascertain what the Railway Department's regulations were. The committee was in the dark. He moved that a committee consisting of the chairman, Mr. W. Sole, and the mover be a subcommittee to inquire into the regulations and the. needs of stock-owners, and report.—Carried. COOKKKY CLASSES. The secretary reported that at the instigation of tiie .Director of Technical

huueation, Mr. W. A. IMlautync, four special classes in cookery had been made lor technical school pupils who had missed the general entries. Thirteen entries were received, and Mios Tilly, the instructress, judged t;io exhibits, lie w anted to know what prizes to pay out. ft was decided to award 2s Ud for first prizes and Is (id for second. iSome discussion took place with regard to championships. Mr. Watson tnouglit that it was not a good linancial proposition to give a cash prize, a gold medal, and a championship ribbon in a class such as that for thoroughbred mares, which drew only one entry, or sometimes a couple. This year even the sole entry didn't turn up. Mr. Mills thought the encouragement should be doubled, if necessary, in order to get entries. .. Entered in the secretary's suggestion-book.

APPRECIATION. Some very complimentary reference was made by several members regarding the exceedingly valuable assistance rendered by Mr. W. Blewnnui, the caretaker of the racecourse ground. They could not see very well how the society could have got along without his work. It was decided to thank Mr. Blewman and to forward him a cheque for a couple of guineas in acknowledgment. Si'. GERMAIN'S SQUARE.

Only one tender, that of Messrs. Boon Bros., at C 7 per annum, for leasing the grazing on St. Germain's Square, was received, and the tender was accepted. THE SHOW DEFICIT. The secretary, in answer to questions, said lie had not yet got his books made up, but by rough reckoning he thought tin- show itself, exclusive of members' subscriptions or donations, would result ill a loss of about £IOO. BENEFIT STOUTS. It was decided, on the motioi) of .Messrs. F. E. Orbell and \V. Stanley, Unit a demonstration, in connection with the society be arranged, the programme to consist of horse-jumping and leaping competitions. Some discussion took place regarding a suitable date. Tile original idea had been to arrange a function for the Friday afternoon in band contest week.

Then it occurred to some members that by that afternoon the folk will have just about spent a good share of their spare shillings, and will have had just about enough of bands and music and sight-seeing. Again, -the sympathy of the people was with the society now, and they should ''strike while the. iron was hot." Eventually it was decided to hold the nll'iiir on Ihe afternoon of Kith or 23rd January, as a subcommittee may deem expedient. Messrs. Watson. CHIT, and Sole wore elected a subcommittee to arrange dates and draft a programme. It was decided to pay out ,-C!) in prizemoney (75 per cent, of the entries) in the Dairy Factories competition. j Several sngger-tions for the improvement of the show wore noted. The committee then adjourned till Monday night next.