AUCKLAND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 255, 5 March 1898, Page 2

AUCKLAND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent) Auckland, Last Night. A meeting of the General Committee of the Auckland Agricultural Association was held this afternooD. Mr W. Westney, the newly-elected President, presided. The following were elected additional members of the General Committee : Jas. Scott, A. Buckland, R. Carruth, W. Dibble, F. Gibb, H. Gill, J. S. Kidd, J. May, A. Pond, J. G. Rutherford, John Udy, Jas. Wallace, John Wyllie, Alfred Kidd, Alfred Harris, Luke, Ballard, Geo. Ballard. F. R. Claude. The following were elected members of the Executive for the year :—Messrs S. J. Ambury, John Phillips, G. F. Peacocke, Robt. Dick, A. Anderson, Robt. Hall, W. Dibble, Arthur Atkin, J. G. Rutherford, H. Allen Bell, V. F. Taylor and S. Hodge. The present price of wheat was discussed, and it was agreed to invite two Auckland merchants to diecusa the matter with tho Association. One speaker advised farmers not to sell th-;ir wheat under 4s 4d. He thought they would get 4s 6d or upwards before the season was over. The Executive Committee met Mr Ritchie, Secretary of the Agricultural Department, Mr Kirk, Mr E Clifton, Chief Inspector of Stock. Mr Mackoy, of Fruitgrowers' Union, and others were also present. Mr W. Westney, President, explained that the committee of the association had passed a resolution in favour of establishing an experimental firm in the Auckland province. He wished to know from Mr Ritchie whether there was a probability of anything being done in this direction. Mr W. F. Massey pointed out the advantages of such a farm, and urged that if it was the intention of the Agricultural Department to establish such a farm here it should be situated within a reasonable distance of the Auckland City so as to be of reasonable access to settlers from different parts of the province. Mr Ritchie said that pa r t of his business in Auckland was to find out the opinion of the agricultural community with regard to establishing such a station as existed at Momahaka, in the Taranaki province. He had visited several farms in the neighbourhood of Auckland City, and on his return to Wellington would report to the Minis* ters and make a recommendatiou in the direction apparently desired hy the committee. The Chairman also brought up tho matter of Captain Broun's position as Entomologist. He stated that the association had been informed by the Fruitgrowers' Association that the Department intended to transfer Capt. Broun to the Fruitgrowers' Union, subsidising his salary to the extent of £IOO a year and leavinz the fruitgrowers to pay Capt. Broun's travelling expenses. Mr Ritchie said he would report the feeling of the Auckland farmers and fruitgrowers on the subject regarding Capt. Broun's retention as Government Entomologist. At present he could not say whae would be done.