H.—2

56

Votes of Thanks. Mr. Tabaet moved, " That the thanks of this Conference be tendered to the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture for his hospitality and kindness and for the assistance he has accorded us in the conduct of our business." In moving the motion he (Mr. Tabart) and the other delegates from Australasia deeply regretted that they had not had the benefit of the Minister's presence at the opening of the Conference, but they hoped to learn on their return that he had so far recovered as to be able to attend to his duties, and that when he came to know what the Conference had done he would be pleased with the results of its deliberations. Mr. Bbuce seconded the motion. He was in accord with what Mr. Tabart had said, and wished to add that, while thanking the Minister of Agriculture, they wished to add their thanks to the other gentlemen with whom they had come in contact in the colony for the great kindness they had received on all hands, and for the trouble taken to enable them to know something about New Zealand. He was quite sure they would take back information with them which would be of great use to them. Motion agreed to unanimously. Mr. Goedon moved, " That a hearty vote ofthanksbe accorded to our Chairman, Sir John Hall,. K.C.M.G., for the able manner in which he has carried out his arduous duties." He need not add one word to this except to say that his (the Chairman's) patience must have been considerably tried during their debates. Sir John would, however, recollect that the delegates were not trained parliamentarians. Mr. Pack seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Chairman thanked the Conference very heartily for the kind compliment paid to him, and assured them that it had been a very great honour to him to preside over so important an assembly-. He regretted very much that he had not been able to be present on the opening-day; but he thought they would admit that his place had been efficiently filled by Mr. Eoberts, to whom the thanks of the Conference were also due. Before he sat down he wished to say that the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association hoped to see the delegates at the annual show on Thursday week. ' Anything that could be clone to make their visit pleasant and interesting the Association would have great pleasure in doing. The proceedings of the Conference then terminated.

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