FARMERS CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2004, 1 June 1885, Page 2

FARMERS CLUB.

The monthly meoting of the Masterton Farmers' Club was held on Saturday afternoon. There were 25 members present, and Mr Dagg, the President, occupied the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following accounts were passed for payment:—J. Payton & Co., £3 Is; Smith & Hogg, £'3BsGd. The Committee appointed for the purpose brought up a report to the effect that they had secured a room in the Temple Chambers at a rental of Bs Gd per week. The report was adopted. SMALL BIRD NUISANCE. Mr Hessey moved the motion standing in lus name, viz,, That united action bo taken to abate the small bird nuisance. He thought that there was very little to be said on the subject, except that it was time they did soinetliing. Where he lived the birds were flying about by . tens of thousands, and .now was the time to poison them. Mr T, E. Chamberlain said it was time to- take united action. They had all suffered, and if all of them laid a little poison they would do a great deal of good. ■ ' The Chairman remarked that the rabbits had evidently given the' birds a wrinkle in the way of propogation. The question was, what would be the best means for poisoning. He believed strychnine was good, but it was no doubt dangerous. Mr E. E. Chamberlain said that last year he-had got the poison from a chemist, with something to dissolve it. He put it into boiling water, and then steeped the grain in it. He found it most effectual. They could' use Ms boiler if it was any good to them. Mr W. H. Beetham thought the suggestion a good one. There was considerable danger in handling the poison, and if they worked together they would lessen it. It was high time they did something. The Chairman said farmers should be prepared to lay the poison at a particular time of the year, on freshly ploughed land, just before sowing, Mr W. H. Beetham suggested that the Secretary should write to the South and see what had been done there in the way of poisoning. They might get somo valuable information. He proposed a resolution to that effect. Mr E. E, Chamberlain seconded.—Carried. PASTORAL SOCIETY. Mr R. Welch said the subject of forming a pastoral and agricultural society in Masterton had been several times before them, but they had never done anything with it. The time had arrived to deal with it, and he believed that if they started a society now it would prove a great success. He did not wish to detract from the success of the Carterton Show; but they might have both. The Bhows held in Master'tpn hat} a]\yayg been the most successft(l ; The tiif&cvjlty nqw would be to geHgood grpiind. They lnightappointa Committee to look into the matter. He would suggest that they give good prizes in money, and winners might then invest it in plate, as they liked, Mr R, R, Meredith said [that most of the members present would remember the fot show held ii) Masterton, which, was perhaps the moat sueoessful one ever' held in the Wairarapa, Settler? in Masterton and on the East Coast would like to see the shows held in Masterton again, and believed they would be as successful as before. With the advantage of the railway line the settlers of the Lower Valley might concede the difference in distance to those at the eastern end of the district, as it was immaterial to them whether they landed their stock at Carterton or Masterton. He should be sorry to see one show interfere with the other; but if the exlßfcirig'Sppjefy agreed to hold future shows in Mastertdn, he would be very willing to help to pay off its existing liabilities. The Wairarapa was one of the largest agricultural districts in New Zealand, and it should have an annual show at leagt as gooil as they had at Napjer, >yas gjiite Bp that on the East Qoagt rijns tfjey JiajJ stock that could compare favorably witi) anyfjiipg }n either Napier or the South,'' He hoped settlers in the Lower Valley would co-operate with them in holding only one show in the Wairarapa, and that at Masterton. Mr W. H. Beetham would like to hear more in favor of holding a show in Masterton.

Mr McQarjlle pftfc feat there was no resolution 'befpre the meeting. The Qhainjian' gxpjaineji tjiat if 'comrnifctee lia4 b'ee)i fl.ppo{ute4 tq report, but had jajiej) iiff litgps. - Mr Gasellei'g §aj'4%t %y cpuld put the matter right by ppnpenQjng afresh. Mr R. Welcli then muyefl: "That an agricultural an«J pastoral gjipw be held in Masterton,' 1 Mr R, 11, Moi'Qclifch aeqqnded the motion, Mr W, H, Boetham said ho should like to seo his way dear to speak in favor of the resolution, No doubt formerly they had a better site for a show, and the whole surroundings were much better; but thoy had shifted it to Carterton to meet the wishes of the Lower Valley settlers. The step was a very costly one. They paid a high price for the land, and carried out numerous expensive improvements. The shows held were a success, yet the socioty was rather heavily in debt. Under the circumstances he did not see why they should do away wit); it now and start in another place. The greater part of the stock came from the Lower Valley, and they should consider that before they did anything that was likely to injure the existing society. No doubt if they could get the Lower Valley people to come to Mastertoji it \youJd be an advantage, but unless they did, it lyqulijte ijnwiijg fe) Buch a step. If tfie' railway' pftt' ss}s "down the Lower Yaljey Mr argument would bo more effective, but the people had to drive thoir stock to Qreytown any how. He would be sorry to throw cold water on the soheme if it was the wish of the majority of the people, and if it were proved to him that the majority in the district desired it, he would give it his hearty support. Ono of the great advantages of these shows was that the settlers came together, looked at each other's stock, and had a yarn over subjects agricultural and pastoral, The best did not always get the best prize, and breeders differed j n many things, He remembered some yoars ago, in flapier, live breeders imported five sheep, and did not know how to divide them; but in the end it was found that each one picked a different sheep, which he declared to be the best. He suggested that they should have one important sale or sheep mart a year, in the autumn.

Mr McCardle quite agreed with a great deal that had been said. It was a great mistake to remove the show from Mastertun, and the best thing now would be to get one it its place. Ho did not think they would have the co-operation of the Lower YaHey in getting'it removed back to MagtertpC' 'Ha'phlf not''bay anything against tlie (jarteriqn Show; but he thought that these things "to be a success, should haye pleasant surroundings, In Carterton the §ti|ii}p.s pd logs everywhere gave the plage a very rugged appearance, which would not bo the case in Masterton. They could not do much <it that meeting oxcept to appoint a Committee to collect all possible information. Mr W. H. Beetham Baid at Home they had the Royal Agricultural Society's Shows peripatetic, and the people in the

placo chosen always readily provided yards, etc, Mr Heron said the hurdles and other articles used were supplied for a mere trifle by contractors, who afterwards sold them to farmers, With regard to giving good prizes, that.was, no doubt, desirable, but they would have to get the money first. Mr J. Vile said the local Horticultural Society had always been a great success,, and it was entirely dependent on theif' residents. If they had an agricultural ' and pastoral show here it would be supported in the same way. He felt sure that a show here could only be antagonistic to the one at Carterton. Some discussion here took place as to whether the meeting was in order, and the Chairman having explained that there was a motion before them, the business was proceeded with. Mr Caselberg could scarcely see how they could hold a show here without being antagonistic to Carterton, as it would undoubtedly withdraw many exhibits from the other show. They could at present only give theopbftt of Masterton, as they did not the other people would say. To know that, they should form a Committee to obtain all possible data. He suggested that they should hold shows alternately with Carterton. The resolution was then put and earned. Mr Guild said that an existing Committee had been mentioned. He should like to. know who they were. If they were not strong enough they might add more names to it. ■ The Secretary read the names of the .. existing committee. y Mr R, Welch said he had endeavored to.work, but they had; ; one and all, been so busy that it was useless to think of it. . Onthemotion of Mr Guild, seconded by Mr R, Welch, the committee was discharged, and the following appointed in its place Messrs R. R, Meredith, Guild, McCardle, B, P. Perry, R, Welch, W, H. Beetham, Hessey, A; Johnston, Caselberg and T. E. Chamberlain. Mr Beetham only consented to act on the distinct understanding that efforts wohld be made to come to terms with the existing Society. On the motion of Mr Vilo it was agreed that the Committee should report in three months. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. Mr Caselberg said that, as Mayor of Masterton, he had been in communication with the Commissioner for the Exhibition, and 20ft space had been allotted to Masterton. He hoped they, would now prove the importance of Masterton and send down exhibits. The Town Clerk would give them all information. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Caselberg for his action, TREASURER. 1 lOn the motion of the Chairman, Mr R. J. Fitton was appointed Treasurer of the Y Club. CHEESE AND BUTTER FApTO^, Mr McCardle Inquired wljether &f|y ; thing had been done jn starting a eheea? and butter factory. The Chairman said they had had aq many failures that they had dropped the matter, r ' Mr McCardle did not Bee why they should have done that, At Woodville the shareholders had got a return of .tw per cent for their money, and-they might f get that here if they pyt their shoulders to the wheel, He gaye notice that the subject be dispussed at the next meeting, and promised to obtain what information he could from Woodville, PLOUGHING MATCH, Mr R. McKenzie offered the use of his paddock if the Club thought it advisable ■ to hold a ploughing match. Mr R. Brown said the paddock was very close to the town, and if otherwise suitable, they could not do better than take it. Mr Hessey moved, am} Mr J, Iknnk ter seconded, that it is desirable' tp 'liold a ploughing parried. '. * Thefollowing gentlenjen iyere appointed a committee tp carry out all the necessary arrangementsMesara Hessey,' fleron, k E, Chamberlain, Csfman", and J, Bayner. " " Three new ii}en|ber§ haying beet] elected and two more proposed, the meeting terminated. ' 0..-