BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2488, 21 June 1888, Page 2

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

The meeting of the committee of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Board of Agriculture in Waikato was held in the Commercial Hotel, Hamilton, at 11.30 a.m. yesterday. The following members of the committee were present : Messrs Primrose (chairman), Knox, Ruuciman, Graham, McDonald and Jones. The chairman in opening the meeting said that the whole prosperity of the colony depended on the success of agriculture, and in order to further thb agricultural interest and to give the farmers what is most essential to their well-being, it was proposed to form a Board of Agriculture in Waikatc. Mr Graham moved that the following names be added to the committee :—it. Salmon, S. T. Seddon, L. O'Neill, C. B. Knorpp, J. Knox, J. J. Barugh, F. J. von Stunner, G. Edgeeumbe, J. L, Grant, John Gordon, W. A. Murray, J. Turnbull, W. S. Rutherford, C. M. Brunskill, J. Fisher, F. I>. Rich, R. Rathborne, Jas. Mcl'herson, J. Hume, J. Brooks, S. Westney, and J. Hutchinson.—Seconded by Mr J. K. McDonald and carried. Mr W. A. Graham in pointing out the lack of unity among the farmers in the colony, said that they should protest against the proposed tariff now before the House, as, the taxation of some of the items included in the tariff meant ruin to the farmers. The farmers themselves he said wanted some centre to which they could apply for information regarding the cultivation suited to difl'erent parts of the district and this it was proposed to supply by the Board of Agriculture. He moved that this committee consider themselves established as a board from this time, and that in future they hold regularmnnthly meetings at the Waikato County Council Chambers, Hamilton, the day to be fixed by the Secretary so as to fall in with the proposed alterations in the train service. Mr McDonald considered that it was quite time that the farmers of this country which was second to none other, should look to their own interests, and he had great pleasure in seconding the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr McDonald then moved that the hon. secretary to the Board communicate with the members for Waipa and Waikato, requesting them to oppose the extension of the Main Trunk Line, and also the tax, as proposed iu the new tariff on agricultural requisites, including salt, and suggesting that a tax bo put on tea and sugar instead. Seconded by Mr Salmon and carried. The hon. sec. was requested to write to the secretary to the Royal Commission on Vegetable Products in Victoria, asking for a copy of the reports published by the committee. Votes of thanks to the chairman and clerk of the Waikato County Council closed the meeting.