THE AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1036, 8 June 1894, Page 3

THE AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

THURSDAY, MAY 31. At the meeting of the conference to-cTay it was resolved on Mr R. Reynold's motion — 'That while the best breed of cattle is a subject of great importance, it is one that should be best decided by dairy farmers themselves ; but dairy factories or associations might, however, be asked to contribute funds to be offered as prizes for the best essay on the subject.' — The motion was carried. On the question of the conveyance of poison Mr Buchanan moved — ' That the Government be asked to introduce and pass an Act dealing with the question of the mode of transit and storage of poison.' — Agreed to. Mr Stuckey (Masterton) introduced the subject of the rabbit nuisance, and moved — c That a clause be inserted in the. Fencing Act of 1893 making a wire netting fence of certain dimensions a legal fence, thus compelling adjoining owners to participate in the cost of construction and maintenance, and that no larger mesh than lfin be recognised in^ declared infected districts.' — The motion was adopted by a large majority. Mr Grigg (Canterbury) moved — •That the Government be asked to appoint a competent irrigation engineer who may be consulted and requested to report on any district requiring water for irrigation purposes, regard being had in all eases to the present or future requirements of adjoining districts.' He said the gain to the counrty from the promotion of irrigation works would be enormous, and in Hawke's Bay alone there were tens of thousands of acres the produce of which would be doubled by irrigation, Tn many other districts the value of the land would be doubled immediately water was brought on, and the grub nuisance would also be got rid of. The day would come when this irrigation question would be considered one of the most important in the Colony. — Several other delegates also spoke strongly in support of- irrigation, and the motion was agreed to. On the motion of Mr Richard Reynolds it was resolved — 'That inasmuch as all vegetable products of a farm are sold by weight, it is suggested that fat cattle, fat sheep, and fat pigs should be sold in the same manner, and that all auctioneers selling at their own yards and every registered saleyard company be compelled to provide the necessary means for weighing animals at their yards, if requested to do so by a majority of stockholders selling in such yards.' Mr Grigg moved and it was agreed — * That, inasmuch as the committee appointed by this conference to wait

upon the Railway Commissioners with a view to obtain a reduction in freights upon produce find that such reduction must largely depend upon the fund"? available for additional rolling stock, this conference therefore urgently request the Government to grant the necessary funds as soon as possible.' The proposal • That this conference affirm the desirability of excluding from public yards all sheep suffering from footrot' was rejected by an overwhelming majority, FRTDAY, JUNE 1. At to-day's sitting a letter was read from Mr Crawford, of Miramar, suggesting the formation of a society on the lines of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. Resolutions were passed confining future representation to not more than two delegates from each society, but allowing gentlemen., who have special knowledge to attend to a number of not more than 10 ; urging that continuous efforts be made to extend the markets, especially for wool, frozen meat, and dairy produce, and the frequent publication of reports thereon ; that it is desirable to subject all public dips to proper inspection ; that more facilities should be given for the study of veterinary science by giving scholarships ; that the wheel tax should be removed from farmers' vehicles on the West Coast of the South Island. Under-secretary Ritchie said that steps would be taken to prevent j quarantine keepers from running their i own stock. The Education department sent word that it was intended to introduce special school books on agriculture, botany geology, and mining. A' proposal to encourage the growth of sugar and beet by extending the bonus for 15 years was made. Mr Oartright (Hawke's Bay) said that the sugar beet industry had been tried I there, but was an utter failure. Mr Grigg and others also opposed the motion, which was negatived. The duty on agricultural appliances was next discussed, and on the motion of Mr Kirkbride (Auckland) it was decided that all machines or implements used in agriculture, with their parts, should be admitted free of duty. The subject of holding an annual autumn show, to be peripatetic, commencing at Christchurch at Easter of 1895, was shelved. The Secretary made some suggestions as to the eradication of the. destructive potato moth which had made its appearance in tho colony. Mr M. Murphy, of Christchurch, was appointed permanent secretary of the conference. Mr Gray (Rangiora) moved — ' That future conferences be independent of Government aid in paying of travelling expenses. 7 — The motion was carried unanimously. The proceedings of the conference closed with hearty votes of thanks to the chairman and to members of the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral J Association for their hospitality, to the ! secretary of the conference, to the ' Minister for Agriculture for his assistance in the matter of travelling expenses, to the secretary for agriculture, { and to the Canterbury Association. j