TIMARU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Temuka Leader, Issue 2554, 12 September 1893, Page 2

TIMARU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday afternoon. Present Messrs James King (president), J. S. Rutherford, R. Kelland, McLaren, Elworthy, Goldie, Stevenson, Irving, Balfour, Außtin, O.rbell, Pringle, Hay, Wyllie, E. T. Rhodes, and Campbell. Mr McLaren asked for some explanation of the conditions of testing the turnip and manure drills, as to tho quantity of manure to be sown, there being some difference of opinion about them. A brief discussion took place, the result being an agreement that the drills must sow from 1 to 4 cwt. per acre with either grain or small seeds, and the usual arrangements of coulters. Messrs Perry, Perry, and Kinnerney wrote that the trustees of the late R. H. Rhodes had placed all their lands in the neighbourhood in their hauds for sale, and asking if the Association had any offer to mmm tav the show ground now held from president was requested to see the agents on the subject of the Association's tenure or rights if the land is sold. Messrs J. H, Morris and H. G-. Smith were elected members.

The penalty of disqualification imposed on an attendant of horses two years ago was removed, on the motion of Mr McLaren.

Mr , McLaren moved, pursuant td uotice, that the exhibitors in the classes of " in-bred " sheep be required to make a declaration that the sheep have been iu-bred fpr f}ve years without tlje introduction of fresh blood,

Mr W< Hay had given notioe of a similar motion, that the number of years the sheep had been in-bred be stated, and that the judges be instructed to give preference to the sheep longest in-bred. Mr Orbell said he would not think o£ showing in-bred sheep without a declaration, because anyone could pick a firstcross to besfc hig skeqp } but supli picka should not be shown against establishecl breeds of erogs-breds.

Mr Pringlo thought they should demand, a declaration from breeders of so-called pure-breus Ct "th a V ?".*"*" A* the last Christchurch show they could sea all sorts of heads and wools in classes entered as of one breed.

In reply to Mr Hay, Mr McLaren said he did not mean by the word (t declaration'» a statement sworn to before a Justice of the Peace, but merely a direct statement |u friting,

Mr Hay said iie put iu his motion tojsecure for the public information which must be of the greatest use to thein, if the sheep were of any good, which, however, he did not believe. With the common stocks in the district they could have 14 different varieties of halt breds, and they had no restrictions at all as to the nature of the varieties to be shown. He disapproved strongly of the classes. Mr Hay withdrew his motion in favour of Mr McLaren's

Mr J. S. Rutherford defended the inclusion of the new classes as a means of spreading information, even among the people who did not believe in in-breeding; and they could not make any limitations as to the number of varietiea, some might believe in one, some in another. Mr Pringle thought they should have still more information, namely, what breeds-had been crossed to produce the exhibit, and with a prize for the best pen they would get an idea what were the best breeds to cross.

Mr Hay would ask for a statement of the number of crosses.

Mr McLaren adopted both as to breeds of longwool crossed, and number of crosses, and added these to his motion, which, seconded by Mr Rutherford, waa carried ?iem. con. The several ground and class stewards for the coming show were selected. The judges for the turnip drill trial last year trere reappointed, and given the same powers to carry out the trials. Some discussion then took place about a new site for a show ground. The Chairman said they had been offered Mrs Woollcombe's paddock, near the lagoon, bat the committee were still trying to get a Maori reserve, 16 acres in extent, to the north of Timaru,—On the motion of MiMcLaren, seconded by Mr Rhodes, Messrs Orbell and Rutherford were appointed to see the Maoris on behalf of the Association, and ascertain if there is any chance of obtaining the reserve.—Mr Orbell saidlthere were 40 owners, and each one would have to sign the lease. Mr Kahu had told him the owners would be having a meeting about the end of the year, and then he would try to get them to appoint a committee to deal with the reserve, and the Association should have the refusal of the lease. An account was passed for payment and the meeting terminated.