CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15773, 14 December 1916, Page 2

CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF GENERAL COMMITTEE. The general committee of the Canterbury A. and P. Association met yesterday afternoon, Mr C. H. Ensor, the president, being in the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. An invitation was received from the Board of Governors of Canterbury Agricultural College for Farmers' Day on Tuesday next, which was accepted with thanks. Mr W. B. Andrew* wrote criticising tho system adopted by the Association in appointing a special judge to pronounce on sheep that were considered to be unfairly shorn. He considered that if this system was adopted, tho judge of unfair shearing should go through the sheep and throw out the unfairly shorn ones before the other judges of tho class were permitted to make the awards. The letter was referred to tho Sheep Committee. The Riccarton Borough Council acknowledged tho Association's resolution of protest against tho stock-driving bylaws, and replied that tho Council felt that it had to conserve the interests and respect tho wishes of its ratepayers. THE WOOL QUESTION. The president reported to the committee regrding the conferences held iji connexion with tho commandeering of the Dominion wool by the Government and the setting up of a local committee to protect growers' interests. He invited any questions from members of the committee. In reply to Mr Geo. Jameson, the chairman said that the prices fixed were on the basis of 55 per cent, over the 1913-14 values. The chairman added that he thought all tho valuations should be published so that growers _ could know how their wool was selling as compared with their neighbours. In reply to Mr Andrew, the chairman said that the present valuations of Southdown and merino wools worked out at rather less than last year's prices. He thought that the transaction with the Government would he practically a cash one. Mr G. Gould said he had no information to the contrary, but he thought that the chairman was correct. Mr Parkinson said that be believed that payment would be made when (the wool was placed on board. If this was the case, the sellers might havo to wait a long time. Mr Gould said the committee would press that point with the Minister on his arrival in Christchurch. Mr Gebbie strongly supported the idea of _ the prices obtained for the wool being published. GENERAL. A vote of thanks to the Government for making its splendid display at the Metropolitan Show was passed. Votes of thanks to the judges at the show, and to the president, for his special prizes for collections of farm produce, were passed with acclamation. It was decided to hold the annual Ram Fair on March 22nd and 23rd. Mr H, Overton said he had received a cheque for £25 from the Masterton Lincoln Sheepbreeders' Association in aid of the Belgian Restoration Fund. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the doaors. It was decided to keep all members who were away at the war financial with the Association. Mr D. W. Westenra drew attention to the rough manner in which show stock was handled by the railway authorities. He had had a valuable horse injured at the last show, and had heard other exhibitors complain also. The chief trouble was with the engine-drivers, who stopped and started the trains very abruptly, with the result that the animals were thrown off their feet, and sometimes injured. Mr Andrew endorsed Mr Westenra's remarks, and it was decided to draw the attention of the railway authorities to the matter. Mr R. E. Alexander said that many of the trucks sent out were in a very filthy, condition. This was about the best method of disseminating disease he knew, and he thought 6ome representations should be made to the authorities on the matter. Mr A. Chamberlain advocated the reinstatement of the class for fat bullock of any age. Mr Parkinson said he thought that a class should also be made for store bullocks. The matters were referred to the Cattle Committee. Mr R. E. Alexander said he thought there should be a general revision of the schedule,, which was, in his opinion, badly overloaded. He moved, and it was carried, that there should be a general revision of the catalogue. The following new members were elected:—G. H. Judd (Waddington), W. H. Tomlinson (Culverden), R. Mu»ford (Spreydon) 3 H. Moore (Bromley), C. H. Kent (Oamaru). W. C. Bridson (Woodgrove), J. G. Herman (Christchurch), 8. Baxter (A'shburton), and C. T. Newton (Christchurch). SHEEP COMPETITION RESULTS. The Sheep Committee reported that the results of the 1916 sheep competitions were as follows: — Merino wool competition—Winner, Mr James Stevenson, Flaxt^n. Corriedale wool and mutton competition —Winner, Mr Hugh Ensor, Rakahuri. Halfbred wool and mutton competition —Winner, Mr A. W. Rutherford, sen., Mendip Hills. The Lister cup for the best average in the Corriedale and halfbred competition was won by Mr A. W. Rutherford, sen.