OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 12875, 26 July 1906, Page 4

OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY

■ < The ordinary monthly meeting of the Committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held this morning, and largely attended, Mr P, Pattullo (president) in the chair. ' . The Secretary of the Agricultural Department wrote as to an application that had been made for permission to introduce Australian and Chipege quail. It having been reported to the' department thqt quail consume a portion of newly-sowp grass, the Minister asked the opinion of the /society, he being unwilling to ' sanction' fpesh importations without giving farmers an opportunity pf expressing Their ppipjopg,— After lull discussion it. was agreed that the society had no objection, belaying that quail wopld not become a pest. The National Sheep-breeders’ Association of England wrote that the Otago A. and P. Association’s application for affiliation had been favorably considered and would come up subsequently. Messrs Beattie, Lang, and Co,, ston North, wrote offering a money prh?e of 12ga for the best essay on dairying, this to be giyen each year at the Dairying Conference in connection with the Qtagp winter show. —It was resolved to accept the offer with thanks. The of county exhibits at the winter show was discussed, with the view of continuing these popular and attractive displays, and it was resolved Jo write p.s follows to the competing :—“ t have been requested to ask ypu if you hqye *°y- suggestions to g&ke which, in your Opinion, would in any way assist in rodneing the cq(t to exhibitors, and also induce counties to stiff continue their support, It is recognised that the present arrangement of granting £2O towards fitting up the bays, well as, offering certain prizes, does pot cover the financial responsibility even of those who are successful in gaining first prize. My Committee would therefore be pleased to receive any proposals from you, qnd would submit the foffdwiflg UUSBUetipp® for your consideration. It is pot necessary to enumerate all the various suggestions that have been received, ’some of wfiich are practically impossible from a financial point of view, but we may mention the fpljpwing;—(l) That the society should hear the entire cost of erecting the four stands required for the display of the exhibits, apd thus relieve exhibitors of any responsibility in that direction. (2) That th),s competition shall include New Zealand manufactures, minerals, and similar class.es of goods. (3) That the socifity shall fios? the cost of conveyance of all gooffs required in connection with the opupty exhibits. (4) That the system of judging be aemawhftt altered, the points for artistic display tp be reduced, and that the different classes pf exhibits in the courts be judged by sefsirate experts; then the combined points to be handed into the secretary, and the totals to be the final award. (5) The society to award money prizes to the patent of £75, provided there are four exhibits, which is as much as can be afforded. In tfie event of county courts not being gone on with, it has been suggested that a provincial court might be got up, or smaller exhibits front the County Club’s Society or others. In conclusion, you may rest assured that any suggestions made by you will receive the most careful consideration of mv Committee.”

Messrs P. Pafcfcnllo, E. F. Du tine, W Son ter, A. S. Orbeli, J, N. Biair, J. Shiefi .Ghaiteis, and J, Gov were appointed a, committee to go into the question of carrying out agricultural experiments and rfc was resolved to point out to the Minister of Agriculture that no experimental station is available in tine South Island ana that jt is imperative, in the interests of the farming community, that such a station be established in Otago. The Committee nominated judges for the horse parade, and the gentlemen named are to be written to.