AUCKLAND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 272, 16 November 1896, Page 2

AUCKLAND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF DELEGATES.

The annual meeting of delegates from the various Agricultural Societies in the Auckland province, under the auspice* of bhe Auckland Agricultural Association, was held this morning at the office of Messrs F. A. White and Son, Queen-street. Mr G. B. Hubton, President ol the Association, presided, and there were present the following delegates :—Me_srs D. McKenzie (Waipu), Jas. Forrest (Waikato), Jae. Anderson, tiillet, and J. Gane (Waikato Farmers' Club), M.M. Kirkbride, S. J. Ambury. J. Massey, Phillippa. Westney (Auckland Association), W. Uieenwood, (Omaha), John Seddon, C. T. Barriball, Sharpe (Franklin), Harding (Northern Wairoa), Arioll (Otamatea), E. Allen, 11. Fisher, Richard Reynolds (Waikato Agricultural Association), C. Hawkinß (Wbangarei). G. Cliff (Paparoa), H. T, Smith (Northorn Wairoa), J. M. Mobcalfe (North Kaipara Association). Messrs A. Park (Government veberinary Surgeon) and YV. Perry (Masterton) wero also present.

AN IMPROVED OOTLOOK KOR I'ARMERS,

The President m&de some opening remarks, and reviewed whab had been done by the Executive of the Auckland Association during the year. In speaking of the ObDOxious Insects and Diseases Bill, be said thab ib slipped through in tho lasb days of the session. They were obliged to keep their orchards cleau, bub bhe Government officials were unable to tell them how to keep many of tbelr pesfcs in check, yeb they were expected to get the better ot these pests by some means, Passing on, he said thab the outlook for farmers waß favourable. The wave of prosperity seemed to be spreading over the world and farmers musb beuefie thereby. In the dairy industry bbey had meb with many disappointments, bub no doubt they would succeed in the end. He tboughb that better organisation was required ab Home in the distribution of their products. Speaking locally, the outlook for farmers had improved considerably, and they mighb look forward to increased demand for their local products, for owing to the money coming into hand to develop our mines, they might look forward to the growth of villages into townships. There was not the slightest doubt in hia mind thab the increase of population would go on. Mr Hubton spoke urging federation among farmers, and said that it was as necessary among farmers as in all business and trades. He asked thedelegatesto bring all questions affecting their particular districts before the Association, and let those representing them in the Houße at Wellington know that the Association was not taking up questions on their own account, bub on behalf of the particular district. Mr Hutton concluded by inviting the delegates to lunch with him at one o'clock. Be also invited them to be present ab Professor Thomas's lecture in the University Buildings this evening. Mr W. Greenwood (Omaha), in speaking of the Obnoxious Insects and Diseases Bill, aaid thab ib would be well if the Government pointed out what they could do for bhe eradication of the codlin moth. Unless the Government could point out whab could be done they should nob bring the Acb into operation. Mr Jas. Forrest (Waiknto) did nob think bbey ought; to condemn the Bill. He thought that some good should come of it. The state of our orchards at present was dreadful.

ROLL OF JUDGE-,

The question of a roll of judges was then discussed.

Mr Hall explained what had been done by the Auckland Associabion in bhe mabter. Circulars had been sent out to the different Associations in the colony asking them to send tbe names of a few of the beeb men in their parbicular district. The result was they had collected the names of 100 judges recognised as experts in their particular district. A roll had been formed and the Executive would, no donbb, be glad bo place ib ab the disposal of those presenb. Mr Johns spoke in favour of having two judges. He was better pleased with bhe Show than any hold in Auckland for bhe pasb thirty years.

Mr Kirkbride expressed himself in favour of the single judge system. He was greatly pleased with the judges, and spoke of the trouble they bad taken on the second day in pointing oub defects and going over the exhibits with exhibitors.

EXECUTIVE 07 THE COUNCIL.

The following gentlemen were elected to the executive of the Association for the ensuing year :—Messrs Gilletb, Kirkbride, Jno. Udy, N. I. Hunt, J. M. Metcalfe, Barriball, J. Phillips, Greenwood, Westney, B. Hawke, S. J. Ambury and Sharp.

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Mr Kirkbrid9 introduced the question of the Noxious Woeds Act. He spoke against the provisions of the Act, and said thab Clauses 7 and 8, with reference to the sowing or selling of infected grass or seeds and threshing machines to be thoroughly cleaned, were the only practicable clauses in the Bill. These could be carried oub,

Mr Forest said that he bad eradicated tbe Californian thistle with salts and sulphate of iron. ' He used lcwb of salt to 101b of sulphate of iron. This he mixed and put iound the roots of tho plant, which was spongy, and absorbed it.

Mr Massey (Mangere) said so far as be was concerned he bad found ib was no disadvantage to have the Californian thistle growing in grass fields.

It was resolved unanimously, on tbe motion of Mr Kirkbride, "That in the opinion of this Conference noxious weeds legislation on the lines of the Bill of lasb session js quite impracticable."