AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 70, 13 September 1911, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the general committee wits held last night. Present: Messrs W. Ambiiry (president), A, N. Bewley, Geo. Colson, J. S. Connett, T. Smellie, L. A. Nolan, E. Griffiths, 11. Bagley, J. Olivers, E. Elliott, J. F. Eustace, A. W. Wood, L. Jackson, Stanley, G. W. Browne and Street. , THE AGRICULTURAL• HALL.

The secretary reported having circularised the various agricultural societies, asking for financial assistance towards the agricultural hall pyoject, but so far he had received no replies. The president said that he had been approached by the secretary of one company, whose directors had decided to make a donation to the funds. He expressed the opinion that many of the companies would fall into line. Messrs Webster Bros, wrote to the effect that they would not charge the £4 10s commission payable on the sale of St. Germain's Square sections to Mr. S. J. Smith, but wished the amount to be placed to the credit of the agricultural hall fund.—A vote of thanks was accorded the firm for its generosity. RESIGNATION. Mr. S. J. Smith wrote regretting his inability to accept a seat on the general committee. "It gives me very great pleasure," he wrote, "in the knowledge that during my term of office as a committeeman the Society has increased from 75 to over 800, and has also paid off the bank overdraft. It was my intention at the general meeting to congratulate you on the manner in which you carried out your duties in connection with the last winter show, and also upon the obtaining of so many new members during your short term of office."

The president referred in eulogistic terms to Mr. Smith's herculean services in the interests of the .Society. Mr. Smith was elected a life member. COW-TESTING.

It was decided to ask Mr. F. J. Heatley, organiser of technical education in Taranaki, to give a lecture on cow-test-ing at Okato. The suggestion came from Mr. Willie Gray, who had promised to interest himself in securing a good meeting of farmers. EXPERIMENTAL CULTIVATION.

Mr. Baylis, Fields Instructor under the Agricultural Department, wrote at length regarding the conduct of manuring, deep tillage, and other experiments. Members agreed that the subject was of very great importance to the district, and likely to prove of very great value to the Winter Show. A committee was set up to take the matter into consideration, and will be pleased to receive names of farmers prepared to undertake one or other of the experiments. Mr. J. S. Connctt was the first to volunteer. The president said that Mr. Baylis was an enthusiast and an expert, and would be delighted to meet any farmers interested. THE SWEDE COMPETITION.

Mr. E. Griffiths said he was prepared to again donate a ten-guinea watch for the swede competition, but not under the same conditions as last year. He suggested that the prize be awarded for the best two acres of swedes, a certain number of the swedes grown to be exhibited at the Winter Show. The offer was received with thanks. GENERAL. A committee was set up to go into the question of appointing judges, with power to act. A good deal of correspondence was received in connection with the proposed Clydesdale Stud Book. Several firms wrote enquiring for space : for displays at Hie coining show. Mr. Charles Stevens, Mangatapere, tendered his resignation as a member stating that in his first attempt to exhibit at New Plymouth he' had been blocked by the Northern Steamship Co., who could not find room oh the steamer for extra cattle.—The secretary is to make enquiries into this complaint. Mrs. Tisch wrote thanking the Society for its expression of sympathy in her bereavement. The New Plymouth agent (Mr. Cutler) of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. wrote that his offer to supply a machine to the Society still he-Id good,—The suggestion to make the machine a prize for a guessing competition, but the Society adhered to the cash prize scheme. The Taranaki Jockey Club advised that the committee had granted the Society the free use of the club's grounds and grandstand for the annual show on November 22 and 23 next. Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. donated manures to the value of £2, as in previous years.

The building committee, with the addition of Messrs Nolan and Griffiths, was appointed an executive, Messrs Stanley, junr., 11. 11. Street, L. Jackson, Watson, Wood, IT. Bagley and •I. F. Eustace were elected a grounds committee. On the suggestion of Mr. E. Griffiths, a class was added in the Jersey section for pedigree bull and three of' his progeny. 1 ill'. A. IT. Halcombe, of Ureiiui, offered a Jersey bull calf to be offered in a competition or for an art union in aid lof the Society's funds.—A sub-eomniitee was set up to frame conditions, etc. Messrs S. Brooks, W. Gray (Okato), A. Lister (Franldey road), Archie Street (Tariirulangi) and H. W. Whitcombe were added to the committee. Messrs C. Cullen, J. Donovan, T. Whitehead and B. James were elected members of the Society. Messrs J. 1!. Hill, T. Smellie, IT. H. Street, and .T. S. Connett were appointed a special prize committee. It was decided t.o ask Messrs W Gray (("•■ilia) ■led (!. V. Tate (Waitara) to collect subscriptions in their districts.