OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 16950, 24 January 1919, Page 8

OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY

ill’ R. A. £?. Cantrell (president) was in the chair at the monthly meeting of the committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, held yesterday. The Grounds Committee reported on work at Tahuna Park, and stated that the experimental plot of lucerne was thriving satisfactorily. Now members might be interested to learn that the various camps held under the supervision of the Defence authorities at Tahuna Park from the time war was declared until the armistics was signed had occupied the grounds for no less than 53 weeks—close upon nine months —for the four years, so that the society could claim to have helped the Defence Department in no small degree, particularly when it was learned that no charge had been made tor the use of the. grounds. The grounds were in excellent order, and everything was in readiness for the show to be held next week.—On the motion of Mr T. T. Ritchie the report was adopted, with r. recommendation to the General Committee that payment be levied for future fixtures held on the show grounds. The Minister of Lands (Hon. D. IT. Guthrie) wrote regretting that he was committed to an itinerary that would not permit of his arriving in Dunedin until the evening of the, 31st inrt.—The letter was received, and it was resolved that a telegram bo sent to the Minister respectfully urging him to endeavor to bo present at the Summer Show (January 29 and 50). A letter was received from the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, (Minister of Agriculture, thanking the society for inviting him to the show, and stating that he would be glad to be present if possible on the date mentioned. The date of the ram and owe fair for 19:9 was fixed for Tuesday, March 25, subject to confirmation by the Stock Agents’ Association. It was resolved that a deputation of Dunedin members of committee wait on the Retailers’ Association to ask their assistance in closing at noon on Thursdaynext (People’s Day of the show). The following new members were pronosed and duly elected:—Mr T. Forsyth, Pine Hill; Mi D. G. Wright, Winslow; Messrs Johnson Bros.. Outram : Mr R. J. Anderson, Kanana,; Mrs C. Weir, Pnkehiki; Mr Allan Galt, West Plains, Southland. THE WINTER SHOW. The Secretary of the Otago Fruitgrowers’ Association wrote expresing the hope that the society would retain the fruit bays at the Winter Show on the same linos as last year, and intimating that his association would do all in their power to make an attractive exhibit and to obtain entries in the fruit section at the show to be hold in Dunedin on June 3, 4, 5, and ,6. A communication on similar lines _ was received from the Co-operative Fruitgrowers of Otago. Mr A. Davidson (Alexandra) forwarded a summary of useful suggestions in connection with the fruit section at the Winter Show, and made proposals in regard to classes and special prize for export apples. —lt was resolved to thank Mr Davidson, and to forward his letter to the Winter Show Schedule Revision Committee for consideration and report.