A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9125, 22 October 1917, Page 7

A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The ' monthly meeting of the Asliburton A. and P. Association was held on Saturday afternoon. " "Mr F. Frampton presided. There was a good attendance of members.

A letter was received from Mr A. Macpherson, Fields Supervisor, Htating that lie had instructed Mr McKay, overseer at the experimental area, to send one of his men to cultivate the lucerne plot at the Show Grounds, also to dig up three rows sown "with' miked■ seed,. and have the area re-sown. with Grimm lucerne. Mr Maepherson' pointed out ■ that this variety was ona of the hardiest grown in America, and was considered a likely one for pasi turage, as the crown of -,the plant | grows under the. soil and not on top, .as -is the ca-so with most other varie-* ties. In future, Mr C. Branigan would have supervision of the plot, to advise as to; the times of cuttingj. etc.: —Several members spoke very favourably of the plot, stating, that it provided a good object-lesson for Mmeis. A letter was received from the Marlborough Woolgrowers' Committee, asking the association to elect a representative to represent the wpolgrowers' iri'terest on the Board' 61 Trade and the Department of Imperial Government Supplies.—Mr W. G. Gallagher Avas appointed.

The Ground Committee recommended that a lease of the Show Grounds be granted to the Technical Association for one year at a rental of £15, from September 1, 1917; that the Technical Association take all responsibility as to proper care of the ground, fences, "buildings, etc.; that the Technical Association be given power to sub-let the ground for grazing sheep; that the association has the use of the ground when required; that the rent be paid half-yearly in advance. —The report was adopted.

It was decided to grant the Technical School the use of hurdles for shearing.

A special committee was appointed to act in conjunction with the Finance Committee to recommend some scheme to reduce the overdraft at the bank.

In accordance with his notice of motion, Mr F. Frampton moved — " That a one-day show be held next yeai\" In support of his motion, Mr Frampton said that by holding a one-, day show the association • would ? reduce the expenses by £30. Mr J. Bruce, in seconding the motion, said the association would save in efficiency as well as money. The motion was carried unanimously.: The secretary reported, that entry fees received, from thei, recent,, horse parade aggregated £5 10si" and ■ the: gate receipts .were £2 ;7s tid^ -makihg tho total receipts £7 17s;'3d. !i The Expenditure aggregated £16 2b, 'showing a deficit of £8 4s 9'd..

Mr J. Cow pointed . out thai the association had several useful reference books in its library, and members, did not have time to read them" while in town. He suggested that an arrangement should be made to allow a member to take a book home.—The secretary said that this could be easily arranged.—The secretary was instructed to report to next meeting on conditions for lending out books.

The secretary reported that the Railway Department would continue to. give concessions on show stock. Mr H. Blunden said the Railway Department should be asked to delay the evening trains on show days. He noticed that Little River had arranged to get the train delayed for the show. —It was decided to write to the department asking whether the trains could be delayed. Mr Wright said that the onl.y; qualified Vetef in ary surgeon was leaving the: district, and he thought the :<:ommittee .should consider, some: scheme .to; fill the vacancy. lie pointed, out;:that it was essential to have a -qualified- veterinary surgeon, more particularly as, stock was so valuable.—The matter was referred to the Stock Committee.

Accounts amounting to £13 3s Gel were passed for payment.