AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 67, 19 March 1910, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Agricultural Association yesterday, the following business was transacted after we went to press:— OFFICERS. Fifty-one candidates were nominated for the general committee of forty members, and the following were successful: Messrs. Joseph Am/bury, John Ambury, C. T. Baxriball, John. Bryant, John Bollard, M.P., Thomas Coates, J. B. Crawford, P. Dye, G. J. "Garland, Arthur Hall, Alf. Harris, E. A. James, M. B. Kirkbride, Sir R. Lockhart, Messrs. S. W. Luxford, W. T. McLaugTilin, A. Muir, H. R. Mackenzie, E. D. McLennan, A. Mcj Nicol, E. D. O'Rorke, John Phillipps, L. R. Phillipps, M.P., H. Pilkington, W. H. Paterson, C. Rhodes, C. Shipherd, T. SimsoE, R. Salmon, J. H. S<ott, H. Smales, V. F. Kerr-Taylor, A. S. Thompson, George E. Thompson, James Thomson, F. J. Wills, John Wyllie, Arthur Winstone, C. Wallace, and W. J. Wallace.

SHEEP, ON THE THAIS'. A long letter was received from Mr. Lionel Wallis, complaining of the manner in which some sheep he trucked from the Manawatu to Welisford, some 400 miles, had been treated. They were in the train for 62 hours, and some of them had died from the treatment. They were supposed to be taken out of the trucks at Taumarunui for rest and feeding, but the time was too short. He asked permission to take them out at Westfield for feeding, but was told that in that case he would • have to re-consign them, and the extra cost would be some £10. The sheep were badly knocked about when the train was shunting. The Pre; sident (Mt. Isaac Gray) sai<t he had. complained about the way stock was carried on the railways till he was sick and tired of it. The Association decided to forward a copy of Mr. Wallis' letter to the Traffic Manager at Wellington.

CLOSE SEASON FOR GAME. Several members complained about the number of pheasants and quail, particularly the latter, in the out districts, and it was reported that they were more plentiful than they had been for a long time. Tlie Association decided to make strong representations to the Minister, asking him to exercise nis right of granting an exemption to any district.

MEMBERS' LUNCH. Last year the cost <x£ the lunch supplied to members at the Spring Show ran into £117-, and the association discussed the question of doing away with it altogether. Several of the members thought the lunch had got too large to be handled' advantageously. Mr. John Massey thought the lunch was one of the attractions at the show, as it enabled members to meet one another, and gave an opportunity for. social intercourse. After a good deal of discussion it was resolved by 29 votes to 12 to .do away with the luncn.

THREE DAYS' SHOW. Referring to the proposal lor a three days' show the President pointed out that one of the questions which the association had to consider -was as to whether there was sufficient accommodation at Alexandra Park to induce exhibitors to taring their stock for a three days' exhibition. With an extra day they would 'be more likely to hit upon at least ■one-fine day, and if the spring fixture continued to increase in popularity at its present rate the necessity for holding a three days' exhibition would be forced upon them. Mr. Kennedy Hill moved: "That it; be a recommendation to the executive to

■consider the advisability of carrying'out the proposal. The speaker remarked that the only objection that could be offered 'was that it was too long to keep stock on the ground. If the Association had the judging and : exhibits of stock concluded on Friday, that would enable stock owners to get their exhibits away °oy the Saturday trains instead of having to keep them as at present in Auckland over Saturday and Sunday. The great attractions at the Show on people's day, .Saturday, a.re the riding, jumping, and driving contests arid the inspection of the numerous commercial exhibits and the many side shows that appeal to the popular taste. • ';:"■: Mr: J. H. Scott seconded the motion, which was carried by a majority of four rotes. ' - ; ■ ' ■