AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 51, 1 March 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the above association was held this afternoon, Mr J. G. Rutherford, the retiring President, occupying the chair, and there was a good attendance of the members. The annual report, read by the secretary, was as follows: -In spite of the wet weather at the recent show, the society has still a substantial reserve fund in hand, thus securing the Executive from any risk of being unable to psy full prize-money in the event of meeting with another wet show day. The annual show of stock in November last was one of the finest and most complete ever held in Auckland. There was, however, in consequence of the wet weather, a serious falling off of over £200 in the gate - money and privileges, though the attendance was much larger than could have been anticipated under such unpropitious circumstances. In spite of this, the committee are pleased to report that the loss on the years workings is not so serious as was at first anticipated, being less than £SO. The thanks of the committee are especially due to a number of the prize-winners and judges, who generously donated considerable sums to enable the committee to meet the deficit. The number of members on the roll is steadily increasing, there being now on the books 542 members, as compared with 215 in 1801. The amount collected for members' foes, entries, and subscriptions this year (£806) is the highest on record. But the work of the committee has not by any means been confined to running an annual show. During the year a number of questions affecting the agricultural interest have been fully considered and dealt with. Delegates were sent to the Agricultural Conference held in Wellington in July last. Full reports of the proceedings nnd of the papers read have been obtained for those of our members who wotild care to have copies. The committee would point out the urgent necessity of the Northern Provinces beingmore fully represented at such conferences. The Southern representatives in many cases have little knowledge of the needs and requirements of the North of New Zealand, where the climatic and other conditions are totally different from those of the South.' The Noxious Weeds Bill, which -was practically drafted at this Conference, would probably have proved a more drastic and much less workable measure had it not been for the presence of the Northern representatives. Mr G. Peacocke's proposal that the Government should subsidise or purchase suitable entire horses to travel specific districts for a limited fee (and make arrangements with the Home authorities to purchase the progeny) was favourably received, both by the Conference and the Department of Agriculture, and we understand that the Department have already decided to act upon the suggestion. The Executive have also devoted a great deal of time to the consideration of such matters as the importation of bonedust, the Noxious Weeds Bill, compensation for compulsorily slaughtered stock, the spread of weasels, the charges for railway crossings, the carriage of limp, and the duty on agricultural implements. Concessions have been obtained with regard to the carriage of lime, which is now carried free on Government railways, not only from the Waikafo kilns, but also from Whangarei, provided the total distance it is carried on the combined railway journeys on the Auckland and Whangarei sections does not exceed 100 miles. Agricultural implements have also been placed on the free list, largely owing to the efforts of our first President (Mr W. F. Massey, M.H.R.). who still continues to give most valuable support in all matters affecting the farmers. The Government have been induced to grant compensation for cattle condemned after slaughtering' to the extent of one-third of their market

value,

The statement of accounts, presented by the treasurer (Mr A. H. Grainger) showed the receipts for the year to have been £1158 6/9. including members' fees .and subscriptions £s:^ 6/1. gates and stands £225 6/, entry fees £277 19/8. privileges £111 18/9. interest £14 16/5. while the expenditure had been £1237 14/1, leaving a debtor balance of £79 7/4. The assets, totalling £599 1/. showed an excess over liabilities of £752 7/.

Reference was also made in the report tothe steps taken to acquire a show ground at Ellerslle. which the committee hoped would be secured by the necessary legislation next session; to the representations made to the Hon. .T. G. Ward on matters some of which had already been dealt with; to negotiations' re establishing farmers' saleyards, for which ground had been secured and money for buildings promised; to the possibility of further extension of ostrich farming; and to arrangements made for the testing and analysing of manures.

The report and accounts were adopted, on the motion of Mr A. Thomson, seconded by Mr Dick.

The President thanked the committee for the assistance they had given him. and specially Mr Dick and the secretary (Mr B. Hall): ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr Rutherford proposed that Mr R. Dick should be President for the ensuing year.He had great pleasure on doing this, and he knew Mr Dick would make an excellent President.

Mr W. F. Massey, M.H.R., said Mr Rutherford had made a. Hard-working President, and they would like Mr Rutherford to accept the position for the ensuing year.

Mr Dick said he would be only too pleased to see Mr Rutherford remain President for another year.

Mr Rutherford said he could not soe his way to act, and he would like to see Mr Dick in the chair.

Mr Kirkbride spoke in terms of praise of Mr Rutherford's ability as President, and said he was sorry the retiring President would not accept another term.

Mr Dick was then unanimously elected President of the association.

Mi Dick returned thanks for his election. He said he was most desirous of seeing the association a flourishing and successful association. Ho suggested that members should unite and try and raise the membership to a thousand.

The following officers were also elected for the. ensuing year:—Vice-president, Mr John Massey; general committee, the retiring general committee, with the addition of Messrs John Bollard, C. Shipherd. E. Yates, J.- Wyllie, Richard Hobbs and H. Moody. The following were elected as delegates to the Council: Messrs W. F. Massey. M.H.R., J. Udy, C. T. Barrlba'l, M. M. Kirkbride, A. Thompson. F. Wills, H. Pilkington. A. Harris, J. G. Rutherford, W. MeL&ughlin, S. J. Ambury, Robert Wallace, A. Anderson, W. Westney, R. Hall.

Thei outgoing officers were accorded a hearty vote of'thanks for their exertions during the past year.

FEDERATION WITH AUSTRALIA.

Some discussion took place on the question of the Association putting its views on the matter of federation before the Federation Commission. Mr Massey urged that a committee should be set up, representative of the farming community, to collect evidence and place the views of the farmers before the Commission.

The President said the views of the farmers should by all means be placed before the Commission, but they should he careful not to go before the Commission with a lot of ill-digested views and information which was open to question.

Mr Kirkbrl<3e said the Association might send the secretary and two or three farmers with a statpment of facts and opinions,, to trivo evidence before the Commission. They mlcrht show the Commission what a splendid market the farmers had In Australia. He considered federalon ■would be a very great ifaln to the farmer as far as selling his produce was cono*rn«a, ~~

Mr Peaeocke pointed out that the prosit dent of the Association, as well as thg presidents of other prominent local bodies! would no doubt receive a summons to ap< pear before the Commission and give tvU dence.

Mr Massey moved "That the President (Mr Dick), the Secretary (Mr Hall), Mr Bent, and Mr M. Klrkbrlde be a ueputntion to wait on the Commission and represent the views of the farmers on the subject of federation."

Afiff further discussion Mr Massey'g me. t:vi was amended so as to lea?-.* o«;t 'be names of Mr Klrkbride and Mr Bout. Mr [vU-khr «'i s;.ld ho would prefer ro t'v<' lite views independently as a fanner. Tho motion ns amended was agreed to, tlu: President and Secretary to go before i.lie Commission.

The Hon. W. Rolleston, who was present and who was welcomed by the President, made a few remarks on federation, saying he was not hi favour of the centralisation of Government. He did not want to see New Zealand's Independence sacrificed, and Up thought this colony had hotter bide its Unit anil watch the experiment iv Austrai iia. However, lie" believed ho. would be palled on to give evidence before tho Commission next week on this Intricate problem. He hoped, in regard to trade, that (mutual arrangements might.bo mmje between Xew Zealand and Australia.