NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1730, 24 September 1868, Page 3

NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

On Tuesday afternoon last a meeting of the j Council of this Association took place at the Pier Hotel, Kaiapoi. There were present M. j Dixon, Esq , president, in the chair, Mr C. Hillyard and Mr G. Bowron, vice-presidents, | Dr Dudley, Messrs J. E. Brown, W. M. Maskell, T. Pashby, H. J. Wood, C. E. Dudley, hon. secretary, J. McFarlin, j. Keetley, &c. The Chairman said the business before the meeting was to discuss the advisability of holding the annual exhibition and making arrangements for it. A difficulty in the cattle disease had arisen, and in the cattle class he was afraid their show would be a failure. He hoped that the members of the Council would still bestow the same amount of energy in trying to make their next exhibition successful in spite of this drawback. Dr Dudley thought that prizeß for cattle as usual ought to be offered, even if there were no exhibits. Mr Pashby suggested that the idea of exhibiting cattle should be given up, and some of the expenses of the show would be saved. Mr Brown rose to a point of order. He thought the minutes of their last meeting should be confirmed. He begged to move that the minutes of the annual meeting be confirmed. Dr Dudley seconded the motion. Mr Maskell said, before it was put he would with permission make a few observations about the minutes in question. If there was any mention of where the show was to be held in them, he objected to their being confirmed. Those on the north beyond the Ashley had come to the conclusion that they were unfairly treated, and that it was an imprudent thing for the Association to do to fix on Rangiora as the site for the show. As the show was not to be held at Saltwater Creek, many there intended to withdraw from the Society altogether. Mr Hillyard said those who wanted the show at Saltwater Creek ought to have taken care to be represented at the general meeting. The site of tho show had been definitely settled at last meeting. The Chairman pointed out that it was the first intention to hold the shows in various districts, but they had been compelled to hold their meetings where they received most encouragement. Mr Brown, as the person who moved that the show be held at Rangiora, said he did so owing to the cattle disease on the Maori run, past which cattle from the Southern districts would have to go, and might be in danger of getting the disease on the way to Saltwater Creek. The subject here dropped, when the minutes were confirmed. It was next decided that a show of cattle, as usual, should take place, and for which prizes would be offered. A discussion then ensued as to the amount of funds likely to be forthcoming. It was stated the balance in bank amounted to £22, but the amount of life members' subscriptions expended in defraying last year's liabilities was not yet recouped to the sinking fund. Mr Brown stated that Mr Buss, of Rangiora, had offered the paddock in which the first show was held, for the next exhibition. The Chairman noticed that the cost of the hurdles would be lessened in this year's ex penses, as ho would lend the association sufficient for all the pens. Mr Brown moved—"That advertisements be inserted in the " Press" and " Lyttelton Times," directing attention to the catalogue of prizes, &c, that would be published, once in each of these papers, on Saturday 10th October." Mr Bowron seconded the motion, which

was carried; Mr Bowron proposed—" That the last year's catalogue of prizes be adopted." Seconded by Dr. Dudley, and carried. It was decided to leave the date of the show to be decided by a committee, to be appointed, but suggested it should be held as near as conveniently after the Canterbury Association's exhibition. The following committee were then appointed, with power to add to their number, to make all arrangements respecting the exhibition—Messrs J. E. Brown, M. iDixon. W. Buss, C. Young, J. McFarlin, C. Hillyard, G. Bowron. J. Walls, T. Pashby, J. Clark, J. Keetley, and Dr. Dudley. Mr Brown said before the meeting separated he wished to place before the publio the real and ostensible reason why the show was held at Rangiora this year, in preference to Saltwater Creek. He then moved—" This Council deeires to express its regret that the absence of bridges over the Ashley river and Saltwater Creek, effectually precluded the ensuing exhibition being held north of the Ashley." Mr McFarlin seconded tbe resolution, which was carried unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.