A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6925, 3 December 1887, Page 6

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

An ordinary monthly meeting of the Committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, was held at two p.m. yesterday. Present—Mr J. Deans, President (in the chair}, and Messrs W. Norman, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, R. Sutherland, W. Henderson, W. Boag, J. Gilmour, P. Duncan, J. Ferguson, Geo. King, P. Cunningham, J. Feather, H. Overton, and J. Mcßeash. Accounts, to the amount of £1237 10s, were- passed for payment, and the Treasurer announced the receipts for the past month, including the receipts from the show, were £1898 3a 7d. .The debtor balance at the bank was £2538 19s lid.

Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: —

From the Rev. J. Orchard, applying on behalf of the Bible Christian Church, Addington, for the -use of the large shed on the new show ground for services on Christmas Day, and the ground for a picnic on Boxing Day. The Secretary said he had informed Mr Orchard that the shed was stocked with implements. Mr Sutherland 'w&a in favor of a charge being made -for the use of the ground for purposes similar to that now asked for.

Mr ' Feather was' afraid of damage being done. ?Mr Boag was in favor of the request being granted, as the ground was to- a certain extent public property. Mr Cunningham j *d-ioved, and it was agreed That the matter be referred to a Committee to draw up regulations and fix terms yupon which the new ground should be let; the Committee to consist of the President, Vice-President, and Messrs Henderson, King, MnrrayAynsley and the mover; to report to the General Committee within fourteen days." -A letter from the Secretary to the Polo Club, in reference to a water supply, for the old Show Ground, was referred to the Ground Committee.

From Mr J. C. Andrews, complaining of the award made in the class for binding twine, as the twine had neither been measured nor tested.

Mr Suth-HLand said the makers lengths had been taken, and the twine had been tested in several ways: No action was taken.

From the judges in colonial manufactures at the recent show, complaining that the exhibits were not ready at the advertised hour, 10.30 a.m., and making suggestions for another year. The letter was received, and a note taken of the suggestions. From Mr F. Webster, Secretary to the Agricultural Society of New South Wales, inviting by circular the co-operation and assistance of the Association in the direction of the great Centennial Intercolonial Exhibition, to be held in Sydney in January next. It was proposed to expend between £4000 and £5000 in prizes. The exhibition

will be widely comprehensive and will include animal,- vegetable, mineral, and fishery products, manufactures, including machinery, inventions, appliances in the useful arts, fine arts, and live stock. Personal co-operation in the direction of (1) securing suitable exhibits, and (2) in contributing towards the necessary funds, was invited. The prize schedule will be forwarded for distribution at an early date. . ~ __ _, , From the Secretary of the New South Wales Centennial Exhibition, considering information re the proposed Exhibition, and inviting co-operation and support. It was decided that the information should be published. The Secretary said he had spoken to two parties who would have exhibited at the exhibition had it been held at another season of the year. A letter was read from Mr A. Beck, offering to lease the new show ground for a poultry farm, and act as caretaker. It was* decided that the letter lie on the table. » ~,,._ From Mr John Rattray re the holding of trotting meetings on the new Show Grounds, and making suggestions for the con .luct of the meetings. It was decided to inform Mr Rattray that.-' committee had been appointed to inquire into the matter. A letter to the editor of the TV eekly Press, from Mr Thos. Mc-Kenzie, M.H.H., forClutha. was read in reference to the spread of the Californian thistle, and pointing out that small plols of land in the Clutha district had been rendered useless by the weed. [The letter is published in i another column.] , The Secretary drew the attention of the Committee to the thistles on the table, which he had procured from a paddock on the Kadclin'e estate. A conversational discussion took place. Mr Mcßeatb said that stock kept the thistle from growing. * _■- The Secretaky said he had Bnown land in Tasmania which had had to be given up when it became overrun witft the thistle. Mr Grigg had some of them on his land, and he found that the more he* worked ie the faster the thistles spread., Mr Cunningham said that the matter was of so much importance that the Secretary should be authorised to advertise that all who were able to do so should send to him any information they possessed in regard to the thistle, the infor- ■ mation to be sent to Wellington. The Secretary said that the thistle would never be got rid of until an Act was passed making it compulsory to take steps to keep it under. Mr Henderson said the cutting of the thistle would only prevent the spread of the seed, but the roots would continue to grow. It was decided to adopt Mr Cunningham's suggestion. A lengthy and exhaustive report on the recent trial of chaff-cutters was read from the Judges. In conclusion they said, "' We are so well satisfied with the smoothness of action in the working of Nos. 1 and 2 machines, and with the. numerous, ingenious, and carefully studied appliances, no point seeming capable of further improvement. We are of opinion, notwithstanding the absence cf competition, that the combined chaff-cutting, riddling, and bagging machines shown in action by Messrs Andrews and Beaven are well worthy of au award of first merit, and would recommend this to the favorable consideration of the Award Committee."

It was decided to adopt the recommendation of the judges. A vote of thanks was passed to the Judges. It was reported that a combined meeting of the Committees of the Association and the Chamber of Commerce would be held at an early date to consider the rabbit question. The Secretary drew attention to samples of Italian and New Zealand potted butter laid on the table, and several members expressed the opiuion that the local produc-tion-was superior to the other. The President said the Secretary, Mr Murphy, had requested leave of absence, In order to pay a visit to Australia. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Cunningham, that Mr Murphy should be f ranted leave of absence, to begin in ahuary next. Mr Cunningham brought forward the question of appointing a caretaker for the new show grounds, and the matter was referred to the Ground Committee.

This being all the business, the Committee adjourned till next Thursday, at 2d.ju. **Vrf. r .