CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1158, 27 November 1879, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB.

At the ordinary monthly meeting held on Monday last, there were present — Mr George E. Clark (Vice-President, m the chair), Messrs J. P. Campbell, A. A. Fantham, W. L. 0. Williams, James Runciraan, F. J. Brooks, Henry Buttle, John Fisher, Richard Reynolds, Charles Snowden, and Francis Hicks.

The miuutes of the meeting held on September 29th, were read and confirmed. COBBESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Department of Agriculture, Washington, "U.S., stating that samples of winter wheat had been forwarded. The samples were on the table.

Mr Campbell moved, " That the Secretary, write to the Agricultural Department at Washington, acknowledging the receipt of the sample of wheat, and thanking the Department for the same ; and also stating that the Club regrets they are too late for sowing this season, but that the seed will be sown next winter, and a record will be kept of the result and communicated to the Department." The motion was seconded by Mr Runciman, and carried.

Proposed by Mr Runciraan,' and seconded by Mr Campbell — "That the samples of wheat from America be kept by the Secretary until the March meeting-, and then disposed of as the Club think best." Carried.

Tho following letter was read from the Secretary of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association : —

" Cambridge, October 4, 1879. "To the Secretary Cambridge Farmers' Club.

" Deab Sin, — By the papers T observe your Club are about to move m the matter of the sheep-dip now being erected at Remuera. For such reason I am instructed by my committee to forward you a copy of resolution forwarded to the Honorable Colonial Secretary last July, and his reply thereto.

"'That the sheep-dip -works about to be erected at Remuera are m an unsuitable place, and should be erected at the ports of landing.'

" Reply to above : — " < Wellington, July 17, 1879. " ' lie sheep-dips for ports of of Auckland and Onehunga. After mature consideration, tho GrQYoronien.t bayo decided

that one. dip Bhould-be made to answer for the requirements of both ports. Tho contract for the work has now been taken, and it is hoped that the Pastoral Association will assist the Government by not opposing an arrangement which has for its object economy, and the protection of tho Auckland sheep district from the spread of disease. — (Signed) Gr. S. Whitmore.'

" I am, &c, ' " W. Perctval, " Secretary." , Proposed by \f r Buttle, and seconded by Mr John Fisher— " That the letter from Mr W. Peroival, re sheep-dip lay on the table." Carried.

A letter was read from Mr W. B. Lang-bridge, asking for support for the "Waikato Handbook" from the members of the Club, and offering to publish any useful information which the Club may supply, and also an essay which has been read before the Clnb.

Mr Ruuciman proposed, and Mr Fisher seconded— " That the Vice- President of the Club, together with Messrs Maclean, Buttle, and Campbell, bo requested to draw up the necessary information for Mr Langbridge's " Haudbook." Carried. A letter from Mr G. C. Clark was read as follows : —

" Cambridge, November 22, 1879. " To the Secretary Cambridge Farmers' Club. ,

"Dear Sir, — It is my intention, if agreeable to the members of the Farmers' Club, to- offer as a special prize a cup of the value of £0 ss, for the best collection of turnips grown from my stock of seeds, to be competed for at the annual ploughing match, 1880. "l also beg to inform you that should this prize call forth fair competition I shall be happy to offer a similar prize annually for the best collection of roots grown from my stock of seeds. " I feel that this will afford farmers an opportunity of judging the best descriptions of turnips by comparison, and will also be a guarantee to the public of the confidence I have m the genuineness of the seeds that I import. — I am, &c, " George E. Clam."

Proposed by Mr Buttle, and seconded by Mr Fisher— " That Mr Clark's offer of a five-guinea prize for the best collection of roots grown from Ids stock of seeds, at the next annual ploughing match of the Club be accepted with thanks, and that the Secretary notify the same to Mr Clark." Carried.

Some other correspondence was read. Mr Buttle moved, " That rule 6 be suspended to enable him to bring forward a notice relating to two gentlemen about to visit this colony as a deputation from the Lincolnshire Tenant Farmers' Association."

Mr Runciman seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr Buttle said that tho members present would have noticed by the newspaper telegrams that two gentlemen (Messrs Grant and Foster) were on their way out to New Zealand from the Tenant Farmers' Association m Lincolnshire. Now,' as this was a rising agricultural district, a committee should be appointed to meet these gentlemen, and entertain them either to a dinner or m any way they may think best, and show them round the district. These gentlemen are the representatives of a highly respectable class of farmers — tenant farmers who spend annually £10 or £15 an acre — and such as it would be most desirable to have m the colony and district.

Mr Runciman moved, "That the officers of the Club and Mr Buttle be a committee, with power to add to their number, to arrange to meet them, entertain them, and show thorn round the district." He hoped the settlers would throw open their farms to inspection that these gentlemen may see them.

The motion was seconded by Mr Reynolds and carried.

REMUERA SHEEP DIP,

Mr Runciman proposed, " That the resolution standing m Mr Maclean's name, re Remuera sheep-dip, be adjourned till next meeting."

Seconded by Mr Fanthara and carried. This was all the business of the ordinary meeting, and the members proceeded with the business of the annual meeting. " Report op the Committee of the Cambridge Farmers' Club for the

Year ending 31st October, 1879

"Your committee, m presenting their fourth annual report are again able to congratulate the members on the continued success of the Association during the past twelve months, which no doubt would have been much more marked had not. such financial depression being experienced throughout the colony. The .institution, continues to exercise increased influence amongst the Waikato settlers generally and holds its place amongst the agricultural institutions of the colony. "number of members.

" Your Club lias again steadily increased m members during the year, the number on the roll being 67 annual members with' 13 life members, as against 50 annual members with 5 life members for 1878 and 45 annual members for 1877. This increase although not so large as could bo wished, is on the whole satisfactory, and it is expected will be considerably augmented during the present year.

"attendance,

" The attendance at the ordinary monthly meetings have been good, averaging 15, the largest number being 30, and the smallest 5, which small attendance for that meeting may he accounted for by the continued downpour of rain which fell during the day and increased very much towards evening. At the meeting on the 30th June it was resolved the hour of the meetings of the Club for the future bo 2 o'clock m the afternoon, instead of 7 m the evening. This change was expected to be more convenient to members residing at a distance, thus saving them a long ride at a late hour.

" PAPERS AND ESSAYS,

" Dluing the past years 5 essays have been read before the Club, (the same number as last year) : — 1. By Mr E. B. Walker on " Classing Wool." 2. Mr J. P. Campbell from New Zealand, Country Journal on the " Culture of Grasses." 3. Mr James Runciman's on " Culture of Potatoes." 4. Mr Henry Reynolds on " Wintering of Stock." 5. Tfr Williams on " Culture of Carrots and Turnips." These papers are the property of the Club, and may be had at any time for reference on application to the Secretary. "B,efore leaving this subject your committee would urgently impress on the members the necessity of a paper being read at every monthly meeting, otherwise the usefulness of your institution will be considerably marred, and it is hoped that inembei's will give the Secretary their n&mea who are willing to read papers during the present year, which should as far as possible be on seasonable subjects. This is the more desirable as the papers are published m the Waika'to Times and i New Zealand Country Journal, whereby a ' considerable amount of information is not only derived by members of the Club, but by the settlers generally. PLOUGHING MATCir. Tour committee regret exceedingly that the match which was to have taken place on July had to be abandoned through paucity of entries. This is not as it should be, the members of the institution should support so desirable an undertaking, and it is confidently hoped when the time arrives for the next match, a sufficient number of entries will be received from the teams of the members alone to ensure a successful meeting, which entries would no doubt be considerably increased by hon. members. "CATTLE SHOW. ".Th^comnrittee. appointed to. Carry out

the arrangements of the exhibition held on the 23rd oi October, have on the whole to congratulate the members' on its success. The entries would no doubt have been much more numerous had the diffioulties m getting valuable stock from a distance not been so great. It is very much to be hoped the Government will see its way clear to place a sum on the estimates for the extension of the Auokland and Wai ato railway to Cambridge, which would no doubt when the line was completed, greatly increase both the entries and attendance. The general public continue to take great interest m the exhibition, as the attendance was considerably m excess of the previous year. " ACCOUNTS. , ' ' A statement of the club's accounts will be laid before you by the Treasurer. "libbaby and beadino boom.

" Your committee regret that no steps have been taken during the year for the opening of the library and reading-room. The usefulness of your Hociety would be much increased if a supply of books, papers, and periodicals were obtained for the free use of the members.

" In conclusion.your committee trust the members will take into serious consideration the advantages to be derived from increased individual activity m working for the interests ef the institution, learning by experience where any short comings have arisen m the past so that they may be avoided m the future.

" Signed on behalf of the committee,' ' GrBOHOB E. CLABK, " Vice President. "Walter Scott, "Secretary." ELECTION OF OFFICBBS. Mr E. Maclean was proposed by Mr Buttle and seconded by Mr ft. Reynolds. A requisition from a large number of the msmbers of the Club had been signed, asking Mr Maclean to act as President. Mr Fautham proposed Mr Clark as President ; he thought it was an understood thing that the sen. Vice-President should be President, and he thought it a bad thing to elect one man so often to that position. Mr Clark, m a few remarks, declined. Mr A. A. Fautham proposed Mr James Runciman as sen. Vice-Fresident.

Mr Hicks seconded. Carried unanimously. Mr James Runciman returned thanks. Mr R. Reynolds proposed Mr John Fisher a a jun. Vice-President.

. Mr J. P. Campbell seconded. Mr Fisher declined to act. He was pressed to accept the position by nearly all the members present.

Mr John Fisher proposed Mr Francis Hicks as jun. Vice-President.

Mr Williams seconded.

Mr Hicks declined, but he was unanimously electedMr Fantham proposed Mr Brooka as Treasurer.

Mr Brooks said he was sorry he could not accept the office this time. He thought some one who could see the bearings of the finances could be got. Mr Williams proposed Mr J. P. Campbell.

Mr Hicks seconded,

Mr Campbell declined, as he would not be always at hand, and he would be away from Cambridge a good deal during the next few months.

Mr Campbell was further pressed, and elected nolens volens.

Mr Buttle moved, " That the election of Secretary be left to the managing committee." . Mr John Fisher seconded. Carried* Mr Brooks desired to express his thanks publicly for the very efficient services rendered by Mr Scott, the Secaetary, to him m his office as Trsasurer. All matters of secretaryship connected with the treasurership he has conducted m the most zealous and painstaking manner. Mr Runciman proposed," That Mr E. B. Walker, T. J". Brooks, A. A. Funtham, and Richard Ryenblds be the committee for the ensuing year." Mr Buttle seconded. Carried.

Mr Buttle proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the retiring officers of the Club and the committee, remarking sspecialy on the services of the Treasurer, Mr Brooks, and the Secretary, Mr "Walter Scott. Mr J. P. Campbell seconded. Carried unanimously. Mr John Fisher proposed Mr S. E. Clark and Mr L. C. Williams as auditors. Mr Runciman soconded. Carried.

A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr Buttle ,to the Waikato Times for the msmuei' m which the meeting-a of the Club had beftn reported. Seconded by Mr Hicks, and carried unanimously.

This was all the business,