MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 325, 12 October 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETINC. THE SHOW ARRANGEMENTS. A monthly'meeting'of tho General Committee of the Masterton A. and P. Association was held on Saturday afternoon (writes our Wairarapa correspondent). The president (Mr. D. M'Gregor, jun.), occupied tho . chair. SHOW ARRANGEMENTS. The recommendations made with reference to the next show and ram fair by'a special meeting held in tho morning were read and adopted. Regarding show arrangements, tho principal recommendations .were to the effect that outside space,'was to be'supplied freo;' protests. to bo lodged within an hour after the award being' made known; and the decision of the Protest Committee to be final and:'binding-on all-parties; all competitions to bo open to any hdrse which may be competing in any other class except the trotting evonts; in which case it will be a condition that the competitor can win only one first prize. In embryo sheep judging competitions, it • was ■ decided that they be tried upon one class of Romney Marsh sheep, and that further proiriineiico bo given to tho comEetition. Certificates are to be issued to all rst-prizo and points-prize winners in horse and produce classes, and where medals are not'offered ribbons are to be substituted for prize cards in the horse events. Sheep entry forma are to state the date of shearing and the name of the breeder. ! "Military events are to be cut. out -of the jumping competitions. Hunters competing in the hunters' leaping competition are to bo' qualified hunters for' the previous season. Tho prizes in the championship' jumping competition are increased to: —first, £25; second, £10; third, £5. The prize money in the draught horse classes and in the cheese classes are also increased. Two olasses for farmers' table butter arc inserted in the produc.t classes.. The regulations of the field competitions regarding turnips,' swedes, and mangolds, are left as now, but it is required that'oat stacks must have a circumference of 50ft. - at the base. •

The now conditions regarding ram fairs are to the effect that the'entry fees are to be reduced, and that the association will acknowledge all responsibility regarding the loss of sheep \ytiile on'the grounds. It was decided that'consideration be given to the proposal of allowing the stock auctioneers to conduct the sales;'and pay the 'association a lump. sum. Tin tags are* to roplaco leather tags on the sheet's backs,.'and all ram fair catalogues are to be submitted to the stock firms beforo they are printed. Messrs. Dalgety and Company, the New Zealand, agents for Messrs. Quibell Bros., wrote stating that the firm were forwarding a sterling silver cup, which is to bo awarded for the most points in purebred sheep. The . treasurer's statement "showed a _ debit balance of £4737 ss. Accounts amounting to £142 9s. 2d. were authorised for payment. The amended plans regarding the new grounds, were submitted by the Ground Committee, and discussed'at. some length. It was decided to make the-ring-round instead' of oval, and the lawn surrounding the ring is to be reduced in Width from'looft. to 50ft. It was further decided to have the ground surveyed'for the location' of the -new grandstand. . , Fourteen new members were elected. 'A subscription circular was received from, the New Zealand Farmers' Union, asking'for subscriptions to. provide a national testimonial to Messrs. D. Jones and R.'Evans, as a recognition of the, manner.:i|V.:which they had conducted the farmers' case before the AshburtonviCojirtiin. -,the /rccent.o.Canterbury. farm labourers' dispute. | Speaking in support of the .circular)■ the chairman said-that Mr.' Evan's had fought a five months' fight for the farmersrof'New-Zealand; and lie thought that; he should receive some suitable recognition. The list was largely signed,:members':express- ; ing appreciation of the good work accomplished.' . ■' '