OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 14635, 3 August 1911, Page 3

OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, held in the Victoria Hall last night, was very largely attended. • Air J. Loudon, president, in moving tho adoption of tho report, .remarked that the largo muster indicated keen interest in the affairs of the society. The past year had been responsible for considerable worry in consequence of the disastrous tire, but while the society had sustained a serious loss they believed tho ultimate result would be in the best interests of the society by reason oi tho better buildings they now had. The working balance showed the credit of £3 35s lOdf. Tho smallness of this sum was accounted for by tho fact that during the last four_ months of the year the society had derived practically no revenue, the offices and skating rink having been swept away by tho tire. Otherwise the balance would have been about- £3OO. Next year they hoped to show a very substantial credit balance. The now building was costing considerably more than the old one. Thu insurance recovered war. £7,000, and the new huildinr and offices would stand on the books at £11.013. That meant a considerably larger sum for interest. However, they hatf gone into the matter very carefully, and so far as could be gathered the revenue. outside of the profit, from the Winter Show, would suffice, to meet, the position. bo long as the society had over 1,000 loval members there was no need to fear for their financial position. This year’s show had commenced under very auspicious circumstances. and with fine weather for the remainder of the week its success was assured. His Excellency the Governor had desired bin: to express to members the great pleasure he had in opening the show and in meeting so many Otago farmers. Mr Jas. Smith (Greenfield) seconded the motion. Each year saw an improvement in the Winter Show. Hu folk quite confident that in 3 few years the society would wipe off all the liability. The report and balance-sheet were adopted caanimously Mr A. S. Orh'.ll was unanimously elected president, and duly returned thanks for the honor.

Mr James A. Roberts was made vicepresident. Other elections resulted thus:—Members ot e.orarcittec—Messrs E. F. Duthie, F. Freeman. A. Johnson. A. AfFariann. A. Todd (Dunejin;, W. J. Charters and J. \V. Blair (Taieri). A. Fleming (Wai knuaiti. Wailiemo, and North Olngo', T. Scott (Bruce, Cl nth a, and Tnapeka). J. Elliott (Central Otago-. J. Macandrew (Otago Peninsulai: honorary treasurer, Air John Angus; auditor. -Mr P. Barr; honorary veterinary surgeons—Atessrs C. J. Rcakos. -V. Hamilton, W. D. Snowball, and J. Kerrigan. This concluded the business of the meeting, and the gathering thou took on a social chara-cte l- . Tho toast of ‘‘The Judges’’ was proposed by Air W. J. Charters, and responded to by Alcasrs Alexander (Director of Lincoln College), D. Cuddio (Dairy Commissioner), and J. Macpbersou. Air J. F. Al. Fraser proposed "Thu Agricultural and Pastoral Interests,” and tirri was rejilied to by Air E. Clifton (Director Fields and Experimental Farms). Air T. W. Kirk (Director of Orchards. Gardena, and Apiaries), oral Air A. Alacpitetson (in charge of the State exhibit' l . Mr J. F. Woodhoeso pi ©posed the toast of " The Visitors,” which was ie.-ponded to by Messrs Seth Smith (North Otago) and Callander (Southland). Air W. Gardiner, jun. (Piipakaio) proposed tire toast <>. "Thu Exhibitors.” coupled with the names of Messrs W. J. Charters arid Janies Ross (Palmerston). During the evening a really good ruu.ical program me was provided by Mes.-vs I’cicy Jjmtre, Leach, Jago, Barling, and Aluiphy.