AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7525, 15 April 1890, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The ordinary meeting of the Committee of the above Association was held at 2 p.ni. yesterday. Present-MessrsS-Garforth (presiding), G. King, J. T. Matson, P. CunningWilkin; A.W. Money. W. Henderson, W. Boag, J. Deans, E. G. Staveley, P. Duncan, J. Anderson, jnr., J. T. _>ord, Murray-Aynsley, and Hon. E. Gray. A letter was read from Sir John Hall, stating that he did not think it would be well for him to attend the meeting, as the question of the Presidency was to be discussed. In accordance with what he had stated at the general meeting, he begged to forward his resignation, which might take effect Whenever it suited the convenience of the Committee. Several letters were read from various agents of sheep dips. Messrs Miles and Co., Lintell Bros., Brooke and Co., and Kempthorne and Prosser were willing to compete. ■ ■ ■ The question of filling np the vacancy caused by the resignation of • Sir _ John Hall as president was first discussed. Mr Cunningham said he supposed that Sir John Hall had resigned in order to five more freedom'" to the Committee to iscuss the question, inasmuch as the formality of obtaining his consent had not beeri gonethrough: He (Mr Cunningham) had learnt with great regret that the power of electing a President in case of a vacancy rested with the Committee, and he now moved " That Sir John Hall be reelected as President." __■■«.. The Chairman said that Sir John Hall s reasons as he understood it we're that he had been President twice and therefore desired to allow the younger members of the Association an opportunity of coining forward. , ■ . Mr J. T. Matson thought every praise, was due to Sir John Hall for the steps he had taken. Sir John had been twice President, and was now their patron. Did they desire to briug him down from the higher position of patron and put him in the lower one of President when he had been nominated on two occasions without his consent. „' The motion of Mr Cunningham was not. seconded. . , , - ..... ..... . Mr Geo. King said, after hearing the remarks of the Chairman, he would move —" That the resignation of Sir John Hall be accepted." "'".'_ . ■ .-.. ~ , Mr Matson seconded the motion, which wus carried. * ? • <-■ ; Mr W. Boag said that he had much pleasure in proposing Mr John Anderson, Tun., as President. They must all regret the loss of the services of Sir John Hall, a gentleman whom they all; respected. Mr Anderson was one: that he felt sure would do honour, to tbe office and to himself. Mr John Ferguson seconded the motion. Mr uunningham said he felt sure that Mr Anderson .would not take anything he said as personal, but he (Mr Cunningham) would not but protest against the election of a President by a Committee without consultation with the general body of the members. Fortunately on this occasion his friend, Mr Anderson, was a gentleman who would do honor tothe office, but the time might come when they might regret that so large and extensive a power had been placed in the hands of a majority of the Committee. He would suggest that Mr S. Garforth, who was • now. their VicePresident, should be .appointed as their President, with Mr, John Anderson, jun., as the Vice-President. Mr Duncan secondedLthis proposition. The Chaibman thanked Mr Cunningham for the honor u.e had vvished-todo hitn, bst he was quite content to occupy the position he was now in. He had no wish to attain to the* highest position in the Association by leaps and bounds. The motion for the appointment of Mr John Anderson, jun.,,was then put and carried. | Mr Anderson thanked the Committee for the honor done him. He felt that they [ would .have had a great tower of strength lin having Sir John Hall as their President, and he (Mr Anderson) 7 had only [acceded to Mr Boag's kind request on findi ing that Sir John Hall desired to be relieved of the office. He might say that he was in favor of a great deal that Mr Cunningham had said, more particularly that portion of his. remarks with regard to the election of the President by the general body of the memjbers. On the motion of the Hon. Ernest Gray, | Sir John Hall was elected a member of the Committee, in place of Mr John Anderson, jun. ' ''"'■' Leave of absence till October was | granted to Mr H. Overton. . The question of, holding a trial of: sheep dips was next discussed. After some discussion, - j Mr Geo. King moved—" That no trial of sheep dip be held this year." ' Hon. Ernest Gray seconded the motion,' which was carried. •

The Secretary explained that by an error the name of Mr H. Mcllraith had been omitted from the list of names of candidates for the Committee. He had written to Mr Mcllraith, explaining the error, and regretting it. A letter was read from the Ashburton Association calling attention to the fact that a protest had been entered against Idalia as a thoroughbred, neither her nor her dam being in the Stud Book. The opinions of Mr J. Self c and Mr G. G. Stead on the subject were read. The rule of the Ashburton Association on the subject was that a thoroughbred should be taken to mean a " reputed" thoroughbred. After a lengthened discussion, Hon. B. Gray moved—" That a reply be sent to the Ashburton Association suggesting that the correction should be laid before the Canterbury Jockey Club." Mr John Deans seconded the motion.. Mr E. G. Staveley moved as an amendment—"That a reply be sent to the Ashburton Association to the effect that the Committee are of opinion that the mare was eligible to compete at the Ashburton show under their rules as a 'reputed' thoroughbred." Mr Geo. King seconded the amendment, which was carried by 9'to 4. From the Farmers' Union asking the co-operation of the Association in respect to the obtaining legislation as regarded the reduction of railway rates and the amendment of the Rabbit Act, The writers also forwarded a list of the subjects upon which resolutions had been passed at the convention held in December last at Dunedin. '..'■.'

Mr Ferguson moved "That.the matter be referred to a sub-committee, consisting ot the President, Vice-President, Messrs Henderson, Deans, and Boag, to report at a future meeting." -Mr Mcßeath seconded .the motion, which,was carried.

Accounts to the amount of £50 4s 9d were passed for payment. The following Sub-Committees were appointed, via.—The Finaui., Ground and Yard, Editing, Herd Book, Ram Fair, Catalogue Revision, Horse Parade, and Draught Horse Stud Book. This concluded the business.