AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10059, 10 June 1898, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

An ordinary meeting of the General Committee of the A. and P. Association was held in the Association's offices yesterday. Present—Messrs W. Recce (president, in the chair), E. G. Staveley, G. P. Murray-Aynsley, F. A. Archer, G. R. Rhodes, G. Goeld, J. Deans, R. H. Rhodes, C. Withill, A. Chamberlain, I. W. Adams, W. B. Andrews, F. C. Murray, P. Duncan, W. F. M. Buckley, J. Anderson, R. M. Macdonald, Henry Overton, Sir John Hall, Sir G. Clifford and Dr. Levinge.

The Chairman referred to his visit to the Dunedin winter show. Much was to be learned from it. The Agricultural Hall was a monument to the energy of the Dunedin people, and should be an example to Canterbury to do likewise. The cheese and butter were good, but in his opinion they could do quite as well in Canterbury. Son c of the country exhibits were very fine indeed. Canterbury must carry out what had already been decided, that this was the only year on which the show would be omitted in Christchurch. (Hear, hear.)

The Christchurch Poultry Club wrote stating that the Club viewed with pleasure the idea of including poultry classes* in the show, and wondered why it had not been done before. The Club had every confidence that if the poultry were staged under cover, suitable i classes inserted, and a competent judge appointed, satisfactory entries would be received. The Club would be pleased to offer every assistance. The Sydenham Poultry Association wrote, asking for a donation for the annual show in consideration of what it had done in the way of improving the breed of poultry. The promoters of a proposed dog show forwarded a statement of conditions on which they wonld be prepared to hold the exhibition in connection with the metropolitan show.

The Chairman said it was necessary to add as many attractions as possible to the show. He suggested the appointment of a committee to confer with the promoters. On the motion of Mr Scaveley the letters were referred to the Sheep and Sheep Dogs Committee, with the exception that pending negotiations a donation to the Sydenham Club was refused.

Accounts amounting to £35 5s 5d were passed for payment. The sub-committee appointed to arrange for an agricultural conference presented its report. The conference will be held at the A. and P. Rooms, beginning on the 16th inst. The report was adopted.

Tbe President and Mr J. Deans were appointed to represent the Association at the conference.

The Finance Committee reported that it had considere3"-various ways and means of acquiring the grand stand from Mr R. M. Macdonald, and considered that the best way would be to practically take over the present Grand Stand Company by a share list being opened in the room at,£l shares, and a company formed to take over the stand, and tor the shareholders "to lease the grand stand to the Association *at a rental that would give them 6 per cent, on their outlay. The purchase of the stand would cost them something under £1400. It was proposed that the Association should gradually absorb these shares, so that eventually the stand would become its own property. Regarding the getting in of outstanding subscriptions, they had decided to ask the general committee to appoint an assistant to Mr Murphy to canvass for subscriptions and get in new members. Mr Murphy's hands were tied in the office, and a smart man conversant with agricultural matters would be most useful.

Several members expressed the opinion that it would be as well for the Association to pay a portion of the purchase money and take "over the stand itself, borrowing the rest of the money at interest or paying interest on the rest.

The chairman said the Association could not borrow any more money worth mentioning. It was decided to hold over the matter of the stand until next meeting, and that in the meantime members be furnished with fuller particulars.

The question of appointing an assistant to Mr Murphy was then considered. Mr W. F. M. Buckley said the secretarial expenditure would be greatly increased, and asked where the funds were to come from.

Mr Staveley said it was expected that the members he would bring in and the money he would collect would about pay the assistant's salary. Mr Andrews was in favour of paying someone commission on the money. Mr Staveley said that had been tried and proved a failure. Mr Anderson *said he was certain the membership could be so increased that the salary would be returned three or four times over.

The second portion of the report was adopted. The Ground Committee asked the Association to authorise the erection of a suitable fence to protect the trees on the show grounds. Power to erect the fence was granted. The Committee then discussed the catalogue and prize list for the Metropolitan Show.

A new section for shorthorn milking cattle was added to the catalogue.

Discussion on the catalogue was cat short by the want of a quorum, several members leaving. A ..... Four new members, Messrs J. A. Parsons, F. F. W. Dowding, and W. H. Jejpnns, junr., were elected. V