AUCKLAND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 43, 19 February 1909, Page 2

AUCKLAND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

THE ANNUAL. REPORT. A meeting of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association's General Committee was held this afternoon. The President, Mr John Massey, occupied tho chair, and: there was a good attendance. ■ Three Days' Show.—Some discussion took place in regard to the desirability.'of holdlng a three days' show next, spring, the general opinion being that the time was Inot, yet ripe for suehi a departure. j Inspection of Stock.—Mr Massey, in re.ferrlng to tjils. subject, .said the matter -was one arising out of the rigid, inspection of ;sheep at the recent Reniiiera fair. The 'Agricultural Department had been written :to, but as'Mr" Duncan was out of town', no definite answer had been given. Mr Rhodes [said he bad sold one pen of sheep at the recent fair, but the Inspector had objected ;to. any. of, them being removed without 'examination. In a'pen of seven sheep the 'inspector had found one tick, and refused to allow the sheep to leave the yard with•out being dipped: They were not properly idlpped, and in cases where deaths among stock occurred as a result of bad- dipping he was not surprised. Mr Klrkbrlde said that two pens of sheep a neighbour of his had bought at the fair were ordered to be ;dipped,i and as a result of this order being complied with three died nest morning. I "Winter Show Site.—The President announced that the site known as Edgerley's, at Epsom, comprising a little over an acre, had been secured-for winter show purposes. It was resolved to 'issue £5 debentures in connection with the purchase of the site. The annual report was presented. The committee, In the course of its report, stated that the year had been a most satisfactory one. The balance-sheet proved, that,,the finances of the Association were on a sounder, and more satisfactory looting .than ever before. Reference was made In the course of the ■report to. the farm labour question,, and the action the Association had taken in regard thereto, the milk regulation, seed adulteration, federation of agricultural associations, and other Important matters. Reference was made, .to the necessity for holding a three days' show iv Auckland, and it was stated that a notioe of motion would come before the- members at the annual meeting in connection with this proposal. • The committee went on to say that at the last annual meeting it was suggested thafr steps should be taken to build up an up-to-date agricultural library, w*3ere settlers seeking ,\.advice about new crops and the many problems connected with their calling, might be able to consult the best and most recent authorities on the subject. With •this end iv view the Secretary (Mr, Edwin Hall) took advantage of the leave granted to him to visit a number of the principal experimental stations anS agricultural in-stittrtAons--In- Australasia, Great Britain, United States, md Canada, to obtain thulr publications for the reference library, and to find but what was being done in other lands to help the farmer, and to advance the Interests of the agricultural section of the community. He was successful dv obtaining a great deal of useful Information with regard to the trend of recent agricultural developments in those countries. Apart from the information actually obtained en route, many of the agricultural authorities kindly offered to forward reports, of ".their work,"and to reply to. any; inquiries .on agricultural .matters. The* Association; have thus been, able to open up 'communication with some, of; the best-, informed, agricultural..'-experts, in the ( world, -which, it is expected, will prove :extremely & Useful to the- society • 'in the future. During bis absence his position was ably ,fllled- by the acting-secretary, Mr. W, B. .Fb'rdy.ce.. .The following details supplied: by -the, acting secretary will give sbrne Idea' of clerical work put through during the. year — - Ihaddltionjto ffifie ordinary work'of.'the office," 59. meetings have-; been held during the' year; -and the business-done- duly.-' recorded; .about 9000 letters and communications, etc., have been sent "out, over 5000 entries, yfere,passed through, the- accounts, [ and' a' great" deal of' tlhie devoted to "the; searching.for;.and.supplying.information to the committees, members of the:' Association.' : *': ' " •■ ' . •- '- | -The-statement: of account and balance- ! sheet show the following- results: The" total receipts, for the year'amounted to £2S3S: 528, and;,included: amongst.' other items,' i members' fees and donations,;'. £912,' 18/6; | entry; fees,. £460 .6/8; 'gates,, stands,' anil" privileges; £123$ 15/6; rents and" Interest;" 5218..2/;. and..,prize,-mbney from; North I Island . Egrr-.-Eaylng - Competition.'.for". 1308' amounting to, £8 3/. - -:f'■■■.- '-:■.:..■ *j The .total: expenditure was £2303;"-9/1, I thns leaving a, net credit balance of £531 i lf/T on tht ytar I *. «peratloßr*, : ■---. ,--J