AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1922, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. WORK OF THE YEAR. DEMONSTRATION FARM. The forty-seventh annual meeting of the Taranaki Metropolitan Agricultural Society was held at the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, yesterday. The president (Mr. W. B. Grant) presided over a fair attendance of members and, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, (already published and which was taken as read), said:

"No doubt every member present has carefully Studied the balance sheet posted to him, and,, the printed report thereon having gone fairly fully into the position of the society, there is little left for me to say. The year under review has been what might be termed a lean one, at any rate so far as financial assistance has ben concerned. We commenced the year carrying a considerable overdraft, and, owing to the general shortage of money, have this year suffered a considerable falling off of receipts, which naturally has not enabled us to improve matters at all.

“The year lias been a truly strenuous one for all connected with primary production. Prices have been poor, and many have found it all they could manage to scrape a bare living. Such conditions affect us as a society adversely. When the producer suffers we suffer,, and, moreover, everybody suffers, for, unlike most countries, we have not the secondary industries to fall back upon. Despite the fact that almost every industry in the Dominion has been favored with a record season of production, the actual return to the producer has been small. Our enterprises iiave been hampered through heavy taxation, the increased cost of production, and various other conditions which have arisen as a result of the war. In the last few seasons the pendulum has swung from one extreme to the other, sweeping before it many who would not have been sufficient strong to withstand its backward swing. There is every prospect of it coming to rest at normal once again. Prospects for the future are considerably brighter. We are assured that the Dominion is in a sound position financially, and that where possible taxation will be reduced; while our produce is at present realising a much more encouraging price, and indications point to a successful

"Reverting to the affairs immediately concerning the society, it will be noticed that subscriptions have fallen off considerably. Whilst this is regrettable it has been unavoidable, in many instances at least. I have every confidence that, with the improved conditions in sight, tills falling off will be checked, and with a special effort this important source of revenue will be restored to normal once more. Death has deprived us during the year of quite a number of our most loyal members. We are much indebted to those members who have kept their subscriptions going throughout a most difficult year, and who have not, in their endeavors to cut down expenditure, singled out the society as an institution not in need of their support.

"Our shows, I venture to say, have maintained their usual good standard and have been exceedingly well supported by exhibitors and the general public. The receipts, more particularly those in connection with the autumn show, fell off very considerably—further proof that the ready cash was not available. All societies of a similar nature record the same state of affairs. A feature of the winter show was the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club exhibit. This institution is being strongly supported by the society. The Taranaki Herald and Budget generously all the prizes for this section, and have agreed to do likewise for next year.

"Mention has been made in the annual report of a handsome legacy bequeathed the society by virtue of the will of the late Mr. W. J. Davis. This came as a complete surprise to us and is indeed welcome. The late Mr. Davis was a consistent supporter of the society, and, although he took no active part in committee work, it is apparent that he had the welfare of the society at heart. No actual cash has yet been forthcoming from the residue of the estate, but it is expected that a portion will be received early next year. "Apart from the work of organising the two shows, we have interested ourselves in various other matters affecting the welfare of agriculture generally. It will be remembered that in November last a meeting was called to consider the question of establishing a Demonstration Farm for North Taranaki. The meeting favored the proposal, and a committee was set up to go into details over the matter. Suitable properties were advertised for and some 31 farms were submitted in response thereto. The locality of many of these was considered unsuitable, and so were passed out. The remainder were visited by the committee, and, whilst several were approved as regards area and locality, the prices asked were considered too high. One farm in particular interested the committee very much, and doubtless would have been accepted had it not been impossible to arrange to finance it. The Government were unable to grant the usual subsidy, nor could the banking institutions advance sufficient to make a purchase. It has therefore been decided to postpone all matters in connection with the establishment of a demonstration farm until such time as conditions improve very considerably. The committee intend to review the position again early next year. The committee who had the matter in hand are deserving of a word of appreciation for the great deal of time given in consideration of i the matter and inspecting the properties.

“Attention has also been directed toward preventing the spread of the cattle tick into Taranaki. Those who know’ anything about this particular kind of tick must realise the necessity for taking every precaution to prevent its spread into this or any other district. The Department of Agriculture has defined certain areas as tick-infested, and has framed regulations to prevent stock being transferred without proper authority and treatment. We are assured by the Department that everything possible is being- done to ’check the spread. "Although the printed report conveys thanks to all who have assisted us throughout the year, I feel 1 would be falling in my duty if I did not personally convey my thanks to them. The response to our appeals for assistance to make preparations for both shows has been splendid, and I have been gratified to notice many new faces amongst, the staunch old band of helpers from whom we get assistance year in and year out. The ladies, too, have again rendered yeoman service. I sincerely regret that their splendid work was not attended with more financial success. The money, however, was not available. In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I desire to thank all the members of the committee who have been associated with me during the past year. They have done good work and carried It out with the utmost harmony. I sincerely appreciate their valued assistance, and thank them.” (Applause.) Mr. Grant then moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the motion being seconded by Mr. E. Jackson and carried unanimously. GRADE COWS AT SHOWS. . Replying to Mr. Jacksnn, the secretary (Mr. W. Okey) said- Onit the entry fees for the autumn show l xa(i u ‘ - l 2?d by £5, while for the winter show the .cea ua d increased by £32. ' Mr. Jackson advocated the taking of some measures to increase the Interest in the grade classes at the shows. • There was no doubt that in Taranaki there were some very good grade cows, and, while he said the judge at Wanganui had condemned the practice of allowing them to compete at shows, he considered that they should give some encouragement to the farmer with good grade cows. At the same time they should be encouraged to go in for pedigree sires as the best means of raising the standard of the herds. Mr. H. Olson said that the trouble at Wanganui had probably arisen through grade stock being entered in the pedigree classes. Mr. H. C. Sampson suggested that in the parade at the show they should make a greater distinction betwen the pedigree stock and the grade. At one show he had ’ seen the grade stock heading the parade, and he did not think that was a good advertisement for Jersey stock. They should not encourage the grade stock to such an extent that it would swamp the show. Only good milking cows should be allowed in the parade. Mr. J. S. Connett said that the society should remember that its membership extended a good way beyond the ranks of the pedigree breeders. They should encourage the man who could not

afford pedigree stock, but who was doing his best to raise the standard of his cows. Mr. T. Webb (Palmerston North) suggested that they should encourage the milking stock. It would be a retrograde step to go back to grade classes. They should encourage the farmer to cross with the best stock—a thing very few fanners knew much about. Mr. Jackson said that very few farmers could afford, pedigree stock, and they should encourage that stock as much as they could. At the same time, they should not forget the grade cattle and the exhibition of a few good grade cows would show Hie other farmers what could ,be done by careful attention to breeding. The president said the matter could be discussed by the committee before the show, and it was then dropped. MILKING BEFORE SHOW. Mr. Webb asked leave to suggest to the incoming committee that dairy cows entered at the shows should be milked out. in front of the stewards the night before the show. He had cases where the cows were suffering agony through not being milked, while he also knew of one whore a cow had not been milked for three days before the show. Besides inflicting pain on the animal, it was also more difficult to judge when its udder was unduly extended. His remarks were endorsed by other members, some of whom said, however, that cows were not left in such a condition in Taranaki, Mr. Webb replying that he had seen eases In the province. The president said that this matter would be considered by the incoming committee. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr. W. B. Grant was re-elected president, amidst applause, and, in expressing thanks for confidence reposed in him, said he hoped that he would be able to hand over to his successor a much better balance sheet. The position the society was in al the present time was no fault of their own. He thought, however, that they had come out better than any other society in the Dominion, and that with the increased prices for dairy produce and lowered taxation the society would soon be well up again. The other offices were filled as under: Vicepresidents, Messrs. H. C. Sampson and W. Hall; committee, Messrs. A. T. Moore, C. Dobson, A. J. Luxton, A. P. Lister, F. Cornwall, H. Stbnex, G. W. Browne, G. Colson, J. T. Griffin, H. H. Olson, J. S. Connett, R. H. Pigott, H. Ward, E. Jackson, A. R. Gudopp, J. Allen, A. Turnbull, G. H. Bell, J. H. Bagley, R. H. Gatenby, J. R. Rowlands, J. H. Hamilton, N. W. Hill, A. E. Washer, W. Morris, J. A. Kurth, W. McKenzie, T. Giddy, S. Vickers, A. 0. Penwarden, —. Honeyfleld, J. Eva, H. Sal way, A. R. Davis, Stanley Hill, S. Topless, L. T. Walker, W. Morton: auditor, Mr. J. S. S. Medley, F.P.A. (N.Z.) ; hon. veterinary surgeon, Mr R. B. Wood, M.R.C.V.S.L., F.V.M.A. GENERAL. Replying to Mr. Connett, the president said that there were about 800 members on the roll of the society. A fair number were not financial, stating that it had been impossible for them to pay their subscriptions. He hoped that in the near future these members would be sole to pay the arrears due. Mr. Webb drew attention to the formation of a Royal Society. He had no doubt that a North Island Or a Donminion show would be In the best Interests of the farmers, and he thought it should be encouraged. It was time they had a Royal show, and he urged members to join the society. Appreciation of the work of the lady members of the society was expressed by Mr. Jackson, who stated that without their assistance the society would not have been in the position it was to-day. A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Mr. Connett moved a vote of thanks to the president and spoke feelingly of the amount of hard work Mr.> Grant had put in on behalf of the society. He felt he was voicing the sentiments of the community when he said that Mr. Grant had done wonderful work, and he hoped that during the coming year better prices would react to the benefit of the resources of the society. The motion was carried by ac- i clamation, and Mr. Grant briefly returned thanks. Votes of thanks were also passed to the com- 1 mlttee, stewards, the Press and others who ! had assisted the society. Messrs. J. H. Abram, A. G. Wigley, Newton Allen, Hannah and Co., and Mrs. P. G. Knight were elected members of the society.