NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14993, 13 June 1914, Page 6

NEWS AND NOTES.

A. ANX> P. , ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Courtenay Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at Ivirwee on Thursday. Tho president (Mr H.- Roper) presided, and there was a fair attendanco of members. ...

The secretary, in his report, stated that the Association had experienced a very satisfactory year. Tho entries at the annual Show had been slightly less than for the provious year, the deficiency being chiefly in purebred sheep and fat lambs. The attendance of the public had been in .excess of that of the previous year. Tho finances were in a healthy condition. The year started with a debit balance of £12 9s Id, and closed with a debit of 12s 7d.

Tho chairman, in moving tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet;, said that the Association's position was extremely gratifying, and that he had bgen assisted by a splendid working committee. Mr Roper outlined several proposed alterations to the ground, and expressed the thanks of the Association to the donors of special. prizes and contributors to the prize fund. Mr F. E: Jar man seconded tho motion, which was carried unanimously. -Mr W. Syme was then presented with the Gough Cup, for most points in th» Show. Mr Syme, in responding, said that Mrs Syme deservod the greater praise, as she had scored the majority of his points. - ' The President presented a valuable cup for most points in tho produce sections, to be won two years before becoming the property of the exhibitor. This w'_ won the "first time by Mrs j Syme.

Mr T>. R,. Hutchison was accorded a vote of thanks for his valuable services to tho Association.

The election of officers resulted as under:—President. MrH. Roper (reelected); vice-presidents, Messrs'A. W. Colee and A. Robertson; treasurer, Mr H. McNae (re-elected^: auditors, Messrs R. Reid and J. W. committee, Messrs A. Addington, R. Burgess, R .Reid, W. JI Gibbs, W. Svme. W. Mulhoiland, E. Harris, J. Mcintosh, H. Page, F. E. Jarman, F. Westawav, R. W. Wilson, W. H. Conway, F. W. Roper, R. Shaw, W. F. Blackwell, T. Vaughan, J. W. Belgrave, C. Page, and W. Harwood. The incoming .committee was recommended to consider the question of the ploughing match, which should bo held at Kirwee this spring. The secretary wtated that thero was a credit balance of £7 8s -Id from the I previous season. j _ Several alterations in the produce see- ■ tions were recommended. » Messrs W. Shipley, W. Galder. A. Man--n, and W. Street wero electod I members of the Association., VAI_DICTORY. The meeting; then adjourned to tho Kirwoo Hall, where a valedictory meeting was held to bid farewell to -Mr D. R. Hutchison, who has sold his farm, and is leaving the district. After justice had been done to tho supper, wliich had boon prepared in rendinc* by tho ladies, the chairman proposed the toast uf "The King," which was drunk with musical honours.

Mr H. Roper proposed "Our Guest," and eulogised his many services to the Association, his remarks being endorsed by Messrs G. Robertsou, J... W.- Belgrave, and J. R. Lawry. A presentation of a gold albert and pendant was then made to Mr Hutchison, who, in acknowledging the gift, touched on various matters in connexion with his life iii the district, and feeling- . I.v thanked the meeting for their kind

remarks, and also for the token of their esteem. -Mr Hutchison read the results of various experiments which _« had carried on under Government conditions with oilver beet, lucerne, turnips, and oats. Th-*e will, by Mr Hutchison's courtesy, be published shortly. He also referred to the need of a more reliable and extensive water supply system for the plains. The following' toasts were honoured: —"Agriculture," ••"Trades and ' Callings," "Successful Exhibitors," "The Ladies," and "Tho Chairman." Songs were -contributed by Messrs J. W. Belgrave and W. H. Conway, tho accom paniments being played by Mrs Moffat and Mrs P. Conway.