TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3297, 25 June 1900, Page 3

TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The committee of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association held a special meeting on Saturday afternoon to consider the plans which had been prepared for permanent improvements to the Show Gr >an.:K m the shape of grand stand with luncheon and tea rooms beneath ; horse boxes and stalls and pig pens. There were present Messrs E. Kelland (president), R. Kelland, Q. H. Rhodes, C. N. Orbell, J. S. Rutherford, R. Parry, W. Hay, .D. Grant, W. Stevenson, R. Irving, P.* Davie, T. Teschemaker, J. Mundell, S. Eraser. The Ground Committee submitted a report on the subject. They had met several times, and employed Mr J. S. Turnbull as architect, who had prepared plans for horseboxes, horse stalls, sheep pens, pig pens, and a grund stanid building. Provision was made for 50 horse boxen 12 x 9. The committee recommended that 20 of these be erected at once, and that the remaining 30 boxes be also erected at once as stalls, to be altered to boxes later on. They did not consider it necessary to erect the separate double row of stalls at once. The sheep pens were proposed on the same principle as the present ones, but with gates hinged and fastened. The ground committee did not think it necesary to erect new sheep yards for a year or- two, as with a little patching the old ones will suffice. It was absolutely necesary that loading yards should be put up immediately, for the con-

vemenco of exhibitors and safety of rams and ewes traveling to the shows by drays. Home division of opinion existed among the committee as to the best situation for the pig pens, and the general committee was asked to settle the question if it was decided to erect them. The secretary's office should remain as at present, and m this view the secretary concurred. The committee had not gone into the question of water supply, pending arrangements being made between the Christchurch Meat Company and the Timaru Borough Council. The grand stand as shown provides for a ladies' tea and cloak room, kitchen, luncheon booth and public bar, covered with a grand stand to acommodate 350 people. This if erected would be a source of revenue, but it would cost a large sum, and the committee thought it should be left to the members of the association to decide. The building had been so designed that it could be erected m parts, and the committee thought that the ladies' department should form the first instalment of the building, and that it should be erectec at once, but this would not provide for any grand stand on the top at the price named. A ,' letter was read from the architect, dealing with some points of his plans. The president said that the ground committee were unanimous regarding the position of the horse boxes and stalls, but they were not agreed as to the position of other structures. A long discussion took place on the best position of the grand stand, the difficulty being to combine a good aspect for the stand with respect to weather ; a good position for seeing the jumping ; and an alignment m keeping with the other buildings. It was finally decided that the whole committee should meet on the ground on the forenoon of the next meeting day, July 14th, to settle the question of sites of stand and pig pens, the majority then present to give a final decision. It was agreed that the plans for horse boxes should be altered to include feedboxes. Mr Hay moved that 20 horse boxes and the whole of the grand stand be erected before the forthcoming show. Mr Hay pointed out that the receipts from the stand ought to pay the interest on the outlay upon the building, and if it did no more the existence of improved accommodation (especially for ladies) would nnce the show popular. Mr Rutherford seconded. Mr Orbell thought that the ground committee's recommendations better,to about the same total cost. He suggested that the committee should now fix an amount to be spent, and decide on what to spend it after visitin? the ground. • In reply to Mr Rhodes Mr Hay said the committee could not erect the buildings until a general meeting had sanctioned the expenditure. The resolution was lost, only mover and seconder voting for it. The further consideration of the plans was deferred till next meeting. The president and honorary treasurer (Mr W. Priest) were requested to canvass the town for private prizes and donations. The meeting then ciosed.