AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8738, 9 March 1894, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at the rooms yesterday afternoon. Present—Mr J. Grigg (President) in the chair, Messrs J. Deans, W. Henderson, S. Garforth, W. Brjag, W. Recce, R. H. Rhodes, Sir John Hall, Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley, Mr John Anderson, jun., Mr G. Gould, Hon J. T. Peacock, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, Mr H. Overton, Mr E. G. Staveley, Hon: E. Gray, and Mr P. Duncan. Mr J. J. Kinsey sent an apology for his absence. In reply to a complaint by Mr Matson regarding the closing of the List of nominations for office bearers, the President pointed out that, according to the rules, nominations must be lodged seven clear days before the annual meeting. Accounts amounting to £27 4s 3d were passed. The Ram Fair Committee made several recommendations regarding the Fair on March 15th. The time of opening the Fair was fixed for eleven o'clock, the Railway Commissioners to be requested to stop all morning trains at the siding. The report of the Committee was adopted. The Sub-committee's suggestions in con" nection with the compilation of the " New Zealand Flock Book" were generally approved and ultimately adopted. The draft of the annual report to be submitted to the annual general meeting of the Association on March 15th was read and approved of. The Secretary announced that entries would be received for the sale of stud sheep in the circular pen up to twelve o'clock on the day of the ram fair. It was explained that the trial of the clover threshing machines could nob possibly be made for another two months. The Secretary stated that Mr Brown, Secretary of the Church Property Trustees, had brought the sample produced of clover covered with the Californian thistle from a paddock on the Radcliffe Estate. It was very bad for people who purchased seed and also for the country roundabout. i The President thought that members I should urge the Government to do everything possible to eradicate the evil. He hoped the coming Conference at Wellington would have something strong to say upon the matter. Sir John Hall thought that the name of the person should be made public. Mr A. E. G. Rhodes considered it would be unfair to damage a whole district for the wrongs of one person. Several other members suggested that remedies should be looked for and legislation brought to bear upon the matter. The President thought the best plan was to smother the evil out with straw. The Secretary pointed out that the Government had already offered a bonus for a. remedy. The matter then dropped, it being understood that the subject would be brought before the Conference at Wellington in May. Upon the motion of Mr Murray-Aynsley seconded by Mr Staveley, the Sub-Com-mittee were instructed to endeavor to arrange to give six months' printing of the New Zealand Country Journal, published by the Society, to the Press and Lyttelton Times alternately. An application by the Acclimatisation Society for occasional use of the rooms of the Society was granted, subject .to an annual payment of two guineas. Messrs J. Grigg, Overton, and Henderson were appointed delegates to represent Canterbury district at the Wellington Conference in May next. The Committee then rose. -—■-—»—■_—»■_—