ELLESMERE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13901, 28 November 1910, Page 4

ELLESMERE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Tlio General Committee of the Ellcsniero A. and P. Association met at Leeston on Tuesday. Present:-—Me&i;rs A. J. luwood (president), in the chair, J. Osborno, J. McMillan, G. W. R. Os borno, W. Lochhoad, J. 2>l- McMillan, G. Gosset, "W. iScntt, A. McLiiehlan, and the secretary, Mr W. O. Jlennie. Miss M. .Simpson wrote, in reference to tho class in the produce section for jelly, in which she showed the only two exhibits entered, and received only one prize, an equal first for the exhibits. The writer stated that filic considered liorself entitled to tho second prize also. Tho committee agreed to give Miss Simpson the second prize. Tho Director of the Canterbury Agricultural College wrote stating that thtBoard of Governors had decided to discontinue subscribing to the Association. Mr John McMillan said he thought it unwise of the College to discontinue subscribing to the Ellesmere and Banks Peninsula Associations. lie stated that the Board of Governors of the College had decided to subscribe only to tho Metropolitan Association. Tho people of the EHe&TP.ero district took a great interest in the College, and he 'thought the Board should be asked to reconsider its decision. He moved in that direction.

Tho President (seconded the motion which was carried.

The treasurer presented a .statement showing that all prizes, with tho exception of about 50s. which was being hohl in suspense, had been paid ; £-K55 Os Oα had been pai<l over in caeh and £51 Gs 6d in goods, making the- total value of tho prizes given £516 7s. The guto receipts were- "£79 19s, only £1 _2s (id short of the previous year's gate. A sum of £104 had been spent on the eliow ground during tho year. The balance in hand at present was £1.77 9s, and tho treasurer estimated that the financial year would cloeo with a credit balance of about £130.

The President thought Associa- < tion was in a very satisfactory position I financially, considering the largo amount that had been spent on the show ground. The President reported having nominated Mr John McMillan, of Southbridge, for election for a further terra .•Iβ the Association's representative on tho Canterbury Agricultural College Board of Governors. Tho President's action was unanimously approved. Mr J. Osborne said ho was very favourably impressed with seeds, etc., exhibited at the Show by the Fanners Co-operative Association, but he did not think it fair to allow the Co-op, to compete against the local farmers, as the firm had opportunities of obtaining samples of seeds from all parts of Canterbury. He thought it would I>e wise to have a merchants' section at the Show. The President and treasurer endorsed Mr Osborne's remarks, and it was decided that the proposal should be a recommendation for consideration late;Mr J. McMillan said that tho Show now occupied a very prominent position amongst the agricultural associations of Canterbury, and he thought the Association would have to cater more for a certain section of the public which came, not so much, to inspect the stock as to see what was going on. He suggested that the judging oval should be° shifted, that adequate seating accommodation .should he- provided around it, and that at a certain time on the afternoon of Show day the oval should bo cleared o* judging., and the coniix"titioiiK held there. Dr. Cosset .suggested that debentures should be raised for the erection of a grand stand, and that tho funds derived from the tise oi the stand should be used in paying off debenture holders. Mr Geo. Osborne said he agreed with Dr. Gosset's remarks, A grandstand must come sooner or later.

Mr W. O. Ronnie eaid that whon at the Ash bur ton Show ho noticed there were a number of stalk for light ho/sco, whicii could l>e built at small cost, jic thought it would be a -ocd xhir.z to have some stnlb for th,. light iioreus Jit the local show ground.

The secretary reported that the lease of their show ground would shortly expire, and th" Ciroimd Oimmittec was nuthori««l to call for tenders, and relet the ground ior a hirther term oi one year.