NELSON AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

i MEETING OF. GENERAL COMMITTEE. $ • ' Tho monthly moeting of the, Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at Richmond ou Saturday evening. Present:—Messrs G. W. Best fprosJdeni,), A. P. Allport (vicepresident), W. U. May (lion, treasuror), John Hanon, Walter Thorn, F. Luaty jim.," Thos. H. Holland, F. W. Hamilton. W. H. Alborough, Godfrey Best, Thos. B. Chisnall, James Chir.g, Jno. Biygar, James Hunt, P. Bond, W. D. Harkness, Jos. E. Bartlett, Hayes Croufher, E. Robinson, E. AY. -Win and J. Glon (secretary), i

Apologies were received from Messrs Noble Win and Jas. Wadsworth.

The following new members wero elected:—Messrs S. R. Sparrow (Takaka). R. Hyland (TakaKa), F. C Page (Tutaki), J. Brown (Nelson), and Edwards Bros. (Pbkororo)'. Mr John Jellyman, Stoke, wrote complaining of inconsistency "witli regard'to allocating prizes in the domestic and farm produce classes at'tho show. He had, he said, refrained from exhibiting this year for the reason that when he had be-on the only exhibitor in a- section with more than one entry he had been granted ono ■grize only, it being held that, according to the rules, more than, one prize could not be allotted if there were not two or more exhibitors. This had prejudiced him in regard to ' 'points'' aggregate prizes. He had noticed, however, that this rule was not always enforced, and bo cited instances at. the last show. As a protest against such inconsistency he forwarded'his resignation. Mr May said that it had been the practice that two prizes should not be awarded unless: there were more than one exhibitor in a section. When he \*»-3 exhibiting he had never received a second prize in such circumstances. Mr Jellyman had been a consistent exhibitor at the shows, and had shown good stuff. Personally he would be very sorry to see Mr Jellyman leave the association. No doubt the inconsistency had arisen through different stewards feting in different ways. Tho judges, of course, had no knowledge oi: the exhibitors' names while.judging. ■After some discussion, it was resolved to ask Mr Jellyman, to reconsider his resignation, and it was further lesolved that, as judging was upon merit, if a judge' awarded a second prize it should be allocated irrespective of ownership of the exbihit.

Mi- W. Stringer, Wakofield, advised that as his special prize offered for the past show had not been allocated, it would be available for the next show.

It -was resolved that- 'the monthly meetings "bo suspended till March next. Ib Avas resolved that the ground committee havo necessary repairs and renewals made to sanitary conveniences at the grandstand, Richmond Park. The hon. treasurer reported that the position of the association at tho close of iho show was better than at the ■same period last yeai\ Last year an overdraft had to be; arranged for, but after all paymento were made this year ho believed tho association would bo able'to. wipe out the overdraft. _In the circumstances which had obtained he considered this a very satisfactory position. Prize money amounting to £374 18s was passed for payment by the finance committee.

The Board of ' Agriculture requested to be furnished with information as to what wore regarded as the worst six i./>vious weeds in the Nelson district, and the .methods' of eradication and their effectiveness. It was left to the, secretary to give the necessary information. THE Mli/KING -COMPETITION. The awards committee reported that a zi}eating of that committee had been hold u> coii-sider a protest from theowner of tho second cow in the milking competition, and-other persons, in respect of the winning cow, on the ground that the- recorded yield of butter fat, 10.2, was Abnormal, and that a more strict test should be made.

The. committee had the evidence of ■the steward who attended at the milkmgs of the cow that the milk waspropfrly mixed before he took tho sample for testing.' It also had the evidence of the steward who superintended the test-at the factory that tho tests were properly conchicted and that t-.vo tests were- made of-this cow's milk.

After hearing the views of those who protested and the views of the owner of the cow, it was resolved that a retest of the cows placed first, second and third should be made in six weeks' time, provided. the owners were agreeable and the cows in suitable condition.

The owner of the first place cow said that his cow was bad and nearly dry. It being known to the committee that tho first place cow had been milked on the second day of tho show by some person without proper authority, the committee placed the matter in the hands of the police, and at a subsequent meeting of the committee Constable Shearj^s report wasi received, giving the name of the person who milked the cow and that of a steward who had authorised tho milking.. \ : Tho committee then decided to bring -the, whole matter', before, tho general "committee.v ■..■: '.'•' ).'"..-'■ :•(.'.■-''■:■"■ ■■■>:;•

f " Following upon ,-the ; reading of the report- there was considerable discussion. • '.•■■■ ' ■ '■."•'■■ :;- . •'." ''■ Mr trodfrey Best, «the steward who gave' permission for the. cow to be milked, and Mr Ernest Robinson, who milked the cow (a bottleful only was taken from the cow), considered that the award committee had no right to invokf). tho -assistance of the. police. BotJi 'Stated that they had no- reason for hiding what thoy had done, nor had they endeavoured to do so. Mr Best contended .that as a steward, of the cattle classes.be had a right to give the ptrmission he had. He had informed the- president next day that he had given permission.

Mr Harkness, steward in charge of the milking competition, said that he was tho only person who could have giv™ the permission, and that the owner's ■consent should have Jboen obtained. As to tho committee calling in police assistance, the fact was that the committee was jeered at and told that the name of the person who had milked the cow would not be given and that they could not find out.

' Mr -Tames Hunt, owner of the cow, said that though. his cow was bad lie was. sure that Mr Robinson did hot do her any harm by the milking. .His oovv was lyorse, and it would be impossiblo to have a re-test:, otherwise he had rio objection. v ; ; ■ . : ■

It was suggested -that Messrs ißest and Robinson owed an apology to Mr Hunt and the association for their actions. After further discussion botn treso gentlemen left the room.

Eventually it was, resolved that the report of the awards committee be recpiyed and approved, and it Avas resolved to return tho deposit made witu the protest.

The natter of the milking of the cow an the show ground was left over to tho annual meeting;.

During tho discussion and references made to the high test. Mr W. R. May said thab if- Avas at his suggestion that the second test was made of the cow's milk in" the- factory. Krerytliiu<A \v;is in Dorfec-t oidor and each test shcwe.;! abc\ ■» the ten Jiiva on tlig tube, lie also mo;iljoned 'that Jie bad notice'!! in the ''Dairyman" , a ;,season or .two, ;Vack r;a' b igi <$k a^. went" O^W teij.- .' '' [ ! ; A '<$$!,'/<£ rMNe\^'Zca]a«d\Fifrn)i j >r', v vv'hS produced^ ■f"wuerjßin t werc^parrl •i'onliT*-'"!' a', herd-^est, one '.of '+V. 1

giving a 9.3 test as the average for a mouth's milking. It svas riientioned that the test from the milk taken from the first prize cow on the show ground showed over seven points ,