MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3897, 27 August 1891, Page 2

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

The Bam »d Eve Fair.

A general meeting of members of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the Club Hotel yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, the chair ben.3 occupied by Mr A. W. Cave (President). About twenty members were present. The Chairman stated that the main object of the meeting was to discuss the advisability of holding one ram! fair in tne Wairarapa, according to notice given by Mr Lowes. A letter was read from the Wairarapa and East Coast P. and A. Society, stating that they were quite willing to combine to hold one fair in the district. Mr Lowes stated that it was universally admitted that it was advisable to hold one fair only. It must be potent to all that one fair in the Wairarapa would be the better. He would suggest the appointing of a Committee to discuss the matter with a Committee of the Wairarapa Society, and to decide when and where the fair shall be held. He thought it might be arranged that the fak' should be held alternately. He would move the resolution stand ing in his name, that it is advisable to hold one fair only in the Wairarapa.

Mr J. Renal!: Have we convenience here for one fair ?

Mr Lowes : Oh yes, we haye. The j Carterton people have not, they will have to make theirs. Mr Renall: I think it only fair that the shows should be held alternately. The Chairman thought that the question might be decided by a Committee as suggested. 1 Mr William Perry was quite willing to leave the matter with a Committee. He would also suggest the advisability of amalgamating the two shows of the Societies, and holding them alternately. Mr E. Meredith stated that the meeting had been called to consider the advisability of amalgamating the ram fairs. They could not well discusj th« question of smalgamatrag shows without giving notice. If a Committee were appointed, it should be careful to make the provision that the fairs should be held alternately. Mr Lowes suggested the taking of a motion on the subject. Mr Meredith : In which part of the district is there the greatest demand for rams ? Mr Lowes: Thefeis a decidedly greater demand in Masterton than in the Valley, although in the latter there are more breeders.

Mr Perry stated las only object in suggesting the amalgamation of the two shows was to lost the feeling of members on the suhjeot. Mr James M'Gregor, to put the matter in order, moved that a committee consisting of Messrs William Perry, D. Donald and D. Guild be appointed to meet a Committee of the \V airarapa Society and decide upon the advisability of amalgamating the two ram fairs, with power to act. Mr W. Perry seconded. Mr Guild suggested the substitution of the name of Mr Meredith for his own.

Mr Meredith stated there was a strong felling amongst certain members of the Masterton Association ajiinst amalgamating the two shows. He felt that in the p«st the shows had been used as an advertisement for stock. There should in his opinion be a higher object than this, they should educate the people on the question of stock, and they should therefore hold the .'6 shows in the largest centre. Mr D. Donald thought the suggestion of Mr Perry that the two shows should be amalgamated was a good one. The holding of two shows in the Wairarapa was looked upon irom outside at a farce, Mr Guild considered it a good thing for the district that two shows were being held. If they had one show they would have to make the showing of fat sheep a speciality. He saw no rearon why this should not be so. Mr Hessey maintained that the holding of two shows had thrown fresh life into the whole thing, Mr Renall thought notice should be given of the intention of the Society to discuss the question of amalgamating the shows. (Hear, hear.) After furtner discussion a committee consisting of the Chairman, aid Messrs William Perry, E. Meredith and J. McGregor was appointed to discuss the question of holding alternative ram and ewe fairs with the Wairarapa Society.

' Mr William Perry said he was convinced that the majority cf the members of the Society were in favor of one show. The matter was then allowed to drop. Messrs Levin and Co wrote, stating that they were prepared to exhibit a sheep-shearing machine at the forthcoming show, provided the necessaryarrangements were made. On the motton of Mr W. Lowes, the offer of Messrs Levin and Co. was accepted with thanks. The Secretary of the Wellington A. and P. Association wrote, stating he was of opinion Mr J. McLean, veterinary surgeon to the Stock Department would give his services to the Masterton Society for the examination of hones an to hereditary unsoundness. A motion that Mr McLean be asked tc give his services as referee at the show, wai carried on division. The Manawatu Association forwarded a list ot names of gentlemen competent to act ai judges at the forthcoming show, which was refen jd to the commi'tee.

The Chastchurch Association and Farmers' Society wrote, requesting the si'ppovt of the Association in resolutions condemning the taxation 1 proposals of the present Government. Mr Lowes moved that the resolutions have the entire sympathy of this Association. —Mr Meredith seconded.— Carried. Mr G. Beetham wrote, stating that he was unable to be present owing to the meeting of the Education Board, but his sympathies wore entirely with the objects of the meeting.—Received.

The resignation of Mr Alexander Walker as Secretary of the Association was received, Mr Walker stating that he was unable to do that justice to the position which he would desire. —Mr Lowes thought the resignation of the Secretary at this stage would have a damaging effect upon the show.—Mr Meredith was of a similar opinion,—After some discussion Mr Walker consented to act as Secretary until after the show. The Programme Committee was appointed to allocate the prizes for the forthcoming show. On the motion of Mr M'Gregor, the regulation limiting the weights to be carried by hacks was erased. The names of Messrs Guild and E. Chamberlain were added to the "Ist of canvassers, and the meeting Adjourned.