WAIKATO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 437, 20 May 1899, Page 2

WAIKATO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the General Committee of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in St. Peter's Sunday school, Hamilton, on Thursday morning. There were prcsetit :—Messrs Jno. Fisher (Presidtut in the chair), and It. Fisher, J. Barugh, It. Reynolds, G. E. Clark, M. G. Fairer, I. Coates, S, Steele, M. Harrison. J. Anderson, J. G. Allen, l\ Slade, N. I. Hunt, Ed. Allen, Jno. Gordon, G. A. Runciman, C. Day, E. B. Cox and F. R. Seddon. The fi llowiug report prepared by the Executive Committee was read : Gentlemen,—Your committee beg to report having met at Frankton on the 29th ultimo, for the purpose of inspecting the proposed new show grounds, and after viewing the land your committee were of opinion that it is a very suitable eite for show purposes, both as to nature of the soil and also for proximity to railway facilities. The matter was then left to the Executive to report re finance and generul arrangements. They, therefore, approached Mr Jolly for a modification of his terms, which we have obtained aud are as follows :—(1) For cash in three months, £2O per acre ; no rights reserved excepting that you do all the fencing required at your own coat ; (2) lease with purchasing clause at £ls per annum for 10 years with right to purchase at £2O per acre at any time within that time, but without right to remove yards, buildings or any material, should you not complete your part of the contract ; (3) lease for 10 years (with purchasing clause) at £ls per aDiium. Right to purchase at £3O per acre at any time during the term. In case of not completing the purchase, the right to remove all yards, buildings, etc. In case of not purchasing the grazing rights to remain with me, but I will provide good and secure paddocks for show stock free of charge ; also will remove all stock from show grounds seven days before aud not return them till four days after each show.-(Signed) M. R.-Jolly. Should you deem it advisable to purchase the laud your committee had an offer from a gentleman lo loan the required amount at 5 per cent, per annum, provided the yards and fixtures are put upon it, but your committee consider proposal No. 2 is best suited to our present requirements, Your committee got Mr Will. White to inspect the yards, and he reports that to cut the ends off all the joints and remove all timber that is defective, which would make the pens from eight to ten inches smaller than at present, but would leave the yards as sounds as wheu first erected, would cost £l3O ; whether the yards are removed or not ; £lO of this is necessary for repairs, Your committee are indebted to Messrs T. H. White, R. VV. de Montalk and J. Hanks for estimates and plans of grandstand as follows :—Mr T. H. White, stand 60 x 30 to seat 513 people, £250 to £342 ; Mr R W. de Montalk, stand 63 x 36 to seat 380 people, £312 to £350; Mr J. Hanks, stand, 80 x 36 to 3eat 500 people, £345 to £4OO. Our position then is as follows :—Cost of land, £360 ; grand stand, £250 ; removing yards, etc., £130; planting trees and levelling grounds. £25 j contingencies, £25. Total, £790. To meet this the money for the purchate of the land is forthcoming, and towards other expenditure £75 is promised in donations and £SO from the funds, leaving a balance required of £305. Your committee !o meet this liability propose to issue 30 £lO debentures, bearing interest at the rite of 5 per cent, per annum to be redeemed at such time as may be mutually agreed between the Association and the lenders ; the total cost under this proposal will then be less than we have been paying. The following letters werealsoread : Auckland, 15th May, 1899.—The Secretary Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Cambridge.—Dear Sir, —As I am unable to attend the general meeting of the members of the Association which is calltd for Thursday next for the purpose of considering the report of the committee re the proposed new showground at Frankton, I should like to express my views on the nutter. In the first place I consider that the proposed change will cause a good deal of friction among the members of the Association, and certainly will not contribute to that hearty support of the show on which its success chiefly depends. I also think that the removal of the yards and other fixtures will cost far more than has been estimated, and the difficulty of providing fund 3 is likely to be much more serious than seems to be anticipated. The ground at Frankton is dry and suitable enough in many respects, but is more exposed to the prevailing winds and not nearly so attractive as the Claudelands ground, while the latter has been so much improved as regards the drainage that the only serious objection which could ever be taken to it has beea to a great extent removed, and I have no doubt that the Syndicate or their teuant will continue to improve the drainage aud the ground geuerally iu their own interest and make it more suitable for a showground in the future than it has been in the past. I fear, also, that in the event of the Frankton ground being adopted that great inconvenience would be felt in driv.ng stock through Hamilton and in landing exhibits from the rail at Frankton, where there is always so much more traffic than at Hamilton East, and this would probably become a much greater trouble a few years hence than it would be now. There should not be any serious difficulty in arraugiog with the Syndicate as regards rent, as a small amount one way or the other is nothing to having the most suitable ground. Before any final arrangements are made for the lease or purchase of the ground at Frankton, I certainly think that the feeling of all the members of the Association should be ascertained in the manner proposed l>y Mr J. C. Allen at the last meeting at Ohaupo, so that such an important change should not be made without at least the concurrence of an ascertained majoiity of the members. I need hardly add that the success of the show will continue to depend upon the hearty support of all the numbers, and especially upon those who are in a position to be exhibitors. With best wishes for the continued success of the show, —I am, yours faithfully, James Hume. Matamata, 15th May, 1899.—T0 the Chairman of the meeting of Waikato Agricultural aDd Pastoral Association, Hamilton, on 18th inst.—Dear Sir, —I am very sorry business arrangements will not allow me to be present at your meeting to-day. I Mould like, however, to convey to you that I would be sorry to sec the showgrounds shitted from Claudelands. All the requisites are there necessary for having a successful show, viz., sheep yards, cattle pens, and grandstand, aud siuee more drainage has been carried out there is nothing tocomplain about as regards the ground being wet underfoot, and I would be pleased to hear that an amicable arrangement is come to with the syndicate whereby Claudelands will remaiu as the showgiouud.—l remain, your obedient servaut, Jno. McCaw. Another letter was received from Mr Thos. Tebbs, Frankton, offering to do the work of shifting the yards for £6O, the Association to find the necessary timber, or he would find all material aud do the work for £75. The Chairman said he had got Air W. White, who had had most to do with the yards, to inspect them and give an estimate for their removal and re-erection. He had reported that some of the timber was showing signs of decay where joined on to the posts, and this would require cutting off. If this were done the yards as re-erected would be as good as, if cot better than, when new. His price for the work was £l3O, and he had estimates fur a grandstand to accommodate 500 ranging from £255 in riuui, up to £4OO in all htart of kauij.

Mr R. Reynolds moved that the report as read be laid before the general mcetirg of members. Mr.Barugh seconded. In reply to Mr S. Steele, the Cha:rman said this would not hind the members of the committee in any way. The nioticu was then put and carried unanimously. A letter was received from the Mauawatu and West Coast AgrienPural and Pastoral Association asking for support in endeavouring to get the Government to place £IOOO on the estimates to provide gold medals for competition at A nnd P. shows, and statins: that the Premier was favourable to such a proposal as a means of fostering these shows.

The Chairman said at the Agricultural Conference the West Coast delegates had been adverse to asking the Government for assistance in any way ; now they were asking for £IOOO. The proposal did not nay how the medals were to be distributed, perhaps they would be all taken up by the metropolitan societies. He understood that the Huwke's Bay Association had decided to oppose tho request. Mr R. Reynolds moved that the Committee decline to have anything to do with the proposal. He considered the principle a wrong one. Mr Farrer seconded. Mr Barugh said the question of seeking assistance from the Government had brought to his mind the Agricultural College Reserve at Kirikiriroa, and which at present was doing no good. He thought that if they could secure that property in a few years they would be able to derive a considerable revenue from it.

Mr Coates: And hold the shows there ?

Mr Barugh : Ko, but it would bring in Bomo income. Mr Coates said that they would find that there was about £3OO or £4OO of debt on the property. It would eveutually become a very valuable property, but there had been a lot of money spent on it lately. Mr Barugh said that 5 per cent on £4OO would not be much rent for ISO acres. TheChaiilhfin said this matter would have to come up in another form. It could not be dealt with under the prosent motion. Mr Barugh said he only wished to bring the matter under the notice of members so that it should not be lost sight of. Mr Reynolds' motion was then put and carried inanimously. Ihe Secretary stated that he had an explanation to make with reference to the champion medals won at the last show. The first medalu ordered had been burnt at the Cape, but a second lot had now come to hand, and would be engraved and sent out forthwith.

A general meeting of the members was held at 10.30 at the same place. Mr J. Fisher in the chair. Tliere were close on a hundred present. The Secretary read the advertisement calling the meeting, and read the report of the General Committee as printed above. . The Chairman, in speaking to the report, said that he wished the members to lay aside all personal feelings in dealing with this matter, and whether the meeting decided to allow the showgrounds to remain at Clandelands or to remove them to Frankton they should consider the good of the Association, not only for the present, but for all time. The first thing to do would be to receive the report, and they could then take action either in accordance witk it or otherwise. Mr S. Steele thought it would be better to bring Mr J. C. Allen's motion forward first. Mr Fisher said this could not be done until the. other matters had been decided, unless by a vote of the meeting. Mr 6 Edgecumbe moved that the report of the General Committee be received. Mr M. Harrison seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Coates said lie thought the letters received from Meesrs Hume and McCaw should be read to the members, and he moved to that effect. The Chairman said they had been addressed to the Secretary and the General Committee, and they had been read before the committee. Mr S. Steele seconded the motion, which was carried, and the secretary read the letters, which were received with applause. Mr W. H. Herries said that some of the others wished to attend other meetings, and he moved that other business be suspended until Mr Allen's motion is disposed of. Seconded by Mr Rathborne and carried.

Mr J. C. Allen then moved that the motion passed at the general meeting of members at Ohaupo preventing the Association haviDg any further dealings with the Claudelands Syndicate be rescinded. He said the members all knew the position of affairs from the reports which had appeared so that it would b? needless for him to make any further remark. Mr F. J. Marshall seconded. The Chairman said he would have liked to have heard the reasons the mover and seconder had for the motion. Mr G. E. Clark said although not at the present time a farmer he had taken a keen interest in all agricultural shows and farmers cluls in Waikato from their first inception, and he would like to give the impression held by a large number of members over this matter. They had nerer been in attendance at oommittee meetings, and as these meetings were not reported many fancied that the present position was simply the result of a equabble between two or three members of the Association, and two or three members of the Syndicate. The position was very different. The Association had made" every effort to get a satisfactory arrangement with the Syndicate ,but they had refused the Association's offer and had male no counter proposition. He had approached Mr W. A. Graham a member of the Syndicate and told him that he (the speaker) would do his best to keep the show at Claudelands if the Syndicate would be reasonable. He had also interviewed Mr G. Edgecumbe, the Secretary and Treasurer to the Syndicate, and Mr Edgecumbe had said that the Syndicate would be better off without the show than with it. So they would see the Association had been practically kicked out of Claudelands (cries of " No" )- by the Syndicate, and had been simply left high and dry. He was very stiff-kneed and declined to bow to the Syndicate, and he did not think the farmers were so servile.as to do 80. T 2e baa .'lwaysdone hi* best for the eh'iw and it was his motion at a packed meeting in Cambridge that enabled the shA to be established at Claudelands. The question was a farmers' one and he claimed to have acted as such, and though a Cambridge man he had opposed the show goiug to Cambridge notwithstanding that they had the offer of a free ground and £l5O in cash. In the interests of theshowherecommended that it be moved toFraukton, as in the future the largest supportfwould oome from the direction easiest tapped fiom, there and better railways facilities would be afforded there. He hoped personal feeling would not be introducsd in the f(ues tion, but they should all work tor the good of the Association, and as an old settler who bad always done everything in his power for the Association— although he did not now own an acre of land or a" beast to show—he asked them, in the interests of Waikato, to_ shift the show to the most suitable position. Mr T. E. Dodd asked if there had been any communications from the

Claudelands Syudicatc since the Ohaupo meeting. The Chairman : No. Mr Geo. Edgecumbe took exception to the remarks of Mr Clark. In his eon versa'ion with that gentleman, he hid said that the Syndicate would he better without the show than to accept their offer of £25. As to the Association ha ving had no offer from the Syndicate after their refusal of the £25 offer they were not bound to make fiesh proposals. The Syndicate were represented at a meeting at Ohaupo, in December, and were prepared to make an offer, but owing to the absence of the Secretary and another gentleman—Mr Barugh he thought-the meeting had been confused and that was the reason no offer had been made Mr W. A. Graham said he considered that he represented the fanners' interest on the Syndicate, as he had nothing to do with dealing with the ground for racing purposes, and in assisting to secure the. ground he had looked forward to holding the shows there and he was sure it was a most suitable place. At the establishment of the show, the question of site had been discussed, ami the present one chosen in preference to Frankton. He thought it would be_ a mistake to shift, but wherever held he would continue to be a member and do his best for the show. He was not aware that any personal feeling had entered into the question.

Mr R. Reynolds, as the mover of the resolution, sought to be rescinded, said he had not done so out of any pergonal feeling towards the Syndicate, but simply because he was against holding the show on the ground. Claudelands was not a suitable ground and never would be. He considered that when people were asked to exhibit a ground should be provided where the animals could be seen at their best, and this could never be done at Claudelands. His Hereford cow had died the day after the show, and his champion bullock had been up to his belly on the Claudelands' ground. The Frankton site was a most suitable one, aud tho offer was a good one, anH if they did not take it now th< y would find that the land would scon be gone. He had opposed the show going to Cambridge, as, if held there, it would be a local show, and he would sooner take his beasts 15 miles to meet general competition than to sweep the board at a local show. He was surprised at the letters from Messrs Hume and McCaw, and he thought Mr Hume's reference to friction being caused through removing the grounds very weak. Until he had inspected the ground at Frankton, he did not think there was such a suitable ground there, and, although the day was a very wet one, the ground was uot muddy. Had he known the character of the Frankton soil a few years ago the butter factory might have been there instead of at Ngaruawahia. There was nothing fn the objection to taking stock through Hamilton, as that ,vould apply to either site It had not been tdiown that they had not the necessary money for the purpose, and as to shelter, that could be provided in five years, and any improvements made would beon their own property, which was not now the case. The land would be a very safe asset. Mr McCaw had said that the present ground was all that was to be desired, but all who showed knew this to be wrong. They would notice that bis exhibits were growiug less, as he refused to put his animals in a place where they were likely to suffer. They should make a start on a firm foundation, and this could now be done at Fraukton at a reasouible price. The second proposal submitted in the report was a most satisfactory one and they could get the money, outside the purchase money, by debentures, one of which he would take up. He did not wish to force anything down members' throats, but he asked all who were unprejudiced to go and look at the Frankton ground and then decide. They had been practically shut .out of Claudelands by the action of the Syndicate in not replying to their letters.

Mr H. Windsor thought that from what they had seen of the shows Held at Claudelands nobody could say they had not been a success. Mr Reynolds must have been confounding Potter's Paddock with Claudelands in his reference to his big bullock,—at the last show he had teen ladies walking about in white satin slippers. As far as he could gather the gencial opinion was that it would be a mistake to shift. Mr J. C. Allen, in reply to some of the statements, said that last year the* ground was in very good order owing to the money spent on it in drainage by the Syndicate. Mr Reynolds' motion preveuted the Syndicate making any fresh offers which they might have dene, and it was the wish of all that they should have the opportunity. Mr Allen's motion was then put and carried on the voices. Mr M.Harrison asked if the members of the Claudelands Syndicate were prepared to make an offer. Mr C. J. W. Burton, as Chairman of the Waikato Park Association, or, as he said as it had been called by the meeting, the Claudelands Syndicate, said the Park Association were prepared to give a lease of the present showground for any term up to 21 years at £3O per annum. Mr C. Day proposed that this offer be accepted for five years. Seconded by Mr A. Ramsay. Mr J. Barugh said the Syndicate should put the grandstand in order, as that was the maiu inducement at Claudelands. Mr Barton said that he had no doubt the South Auckland Racing Club, to whom the stand belonged, would keep it in repair in their own interests. The OhairmiH said an experienced professional gentleman had inspected the grandstand and pronounced it as unsafe, and that it would require a lot spent on it to make it safe in the future.

Mr R. Reynolds proposed that the members accept clause 2 of the report. Seconded by Mr T. E. Dodd. Mr C. Day asked in the event of Mr Reynolds' motion being adopted who would own the land, the debentureholders or the Society. The Chairman said the debentures wou d be it-sued for building the stand, the money for the removal of the yards had been practically found al ready. Mr M. Harrison said his experience of estimates was that they were generally too low, and he thought those brought forward would be found to be exceeded by at least 20 per cent. The Chairman, in reply to Mr S. Steele, said they would be in the same position as regards grazing at either place. Mr Barton pointed out that the privilege would not bo likely to be so valuable at Frank! on as at Claudelands, as at the former place there was an hotel practically on the ground, and in reply it was stated that would not affect the umount very much, as unless- a member every one had to pay on entering the ground each time. Mr T. Walter thought Fr.uikton being a junction would be most suitable, and he asked what was the estimate for removing the yards, etc. The Chairman said they had one estimate of £l3O, but the yards, if left on their present site, would require £lO spending on thsm, which would make the actual cost of removal £l2O. They had another offer to do the work for £6O, or with finding all material £75. The grandstand, it was estimated, would cost £3OO, and this was to be raised by debentures. Mr W. A. Graham advised the members not to swap horses in mid stream. When they made a start to shift they did not know what it would cost. Mr Reynolds' amendment was theu put and lost on a show of hands by 35 to 49. The Chairman said if they decided to stay at Claudelands, they would require

the stand shifted on to drier ground and the yards would have to be removed on to higher land. He was agreeable to submit to the ruling of the members, hut he thought they would make a mistake in staying Mr Herr'es, as President of the South Auckland R-ac'ng Club, said he had no doubt ihe club wotdd work with the Agricultural Annotation and tlm Park Association in every possible way, and if shifting the stand would not inti rfere with the racing they would do anything for their mutual benefit. It was to their own interest to keep the stand in repair. Mr R. Reynolds said they were binding themselves to the Syndicate, which had treated them very shabbily. Mr Barton denied this, and said the Syndicate had made an offer to sell the land. Mr C .Day thought they would have been equally bound if they had accepted Mr Reynolds' proposal. The Chairman said they had had an offer from the Syndicate to sell, but as they did not consider it suitable they had not discussed it or submitted it to the members. A desultory discussion ensued as to the term that the Claudelands ground should be taken for, and, as the outcome. Mr Reynolds moved, as a further amendment—" That the offer be accepted for not more than one year, and that only provided that full details can be arranged for the use of the stand, etc." This Mas seconded by Mr "Burnett, nnd on being put was lost on the voices. Mr Day's motion—" That the offer of the Park Association be accepted "—was theu put and carried, and the meeting concluded.

A meeting of the Executive Committee was held afterwards, at which it was decided to shift the present cattle-yards on to drier ground, nnd also to admit representatives to all meetings of the General Committ e. The date of the next show was fixed for Wednesday and Thursday, 25th and 26th October.