MANAWATU A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 272, 22 May 1907, Page 4

MANAWATU A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

O The general committee met at Palmerston yesterday. Mr Jacob presided. There was a good attendance. Before commencing the meeting the Chairman extended a welcome to Mr W. J. Birch who has just returned after an extended trip to the Old Country. A hearty welcome was also accorded to Mr Russell. The Chairman remarked that Mr Russell was an expert at finance and his assistance would be valuable to the committee. Mr J. Stuckey sent a number of books for the Association for whichhe was thanked and he was wished a pleasant voyage. Mr Birch was heartly thanked for his donation of grasses and wool. Mr Balsillie was thanked for donation of several loads of straw for the Winter Show. Several apologies were received for absence, and several new members were elected. CORRESPONDENCE. Several Societies wrote {Banking A. and P. for the copy of correspondence in connection with Mr Luxford's expenses which the Royal Agricultural Society refused to pay. Manawatu's action was fully endorsed. The Royal Agricultural Society wrote stating that as Mr Luxford's matter had been dealt with on three occasions it could not again be opened. Resolved, that Manawatu Committee regrets the action of the Royal A. and P. Society of New South Wales in not re-opening the matter of Mr Luxford's expenses considering they have since affirmed the principle as per press cable to this Colony that they now propose to pay judge's expenses outside a prescribed radius of Sydney. That they be advised that letters have been received from most of the leading A. and P. Associations of New Zealand endorsing the action of Manawatu Association in protesting against the non-pay-ment of expenses, which is also supported by the entire press of the Colony. From Waldegrave Bros., donating £10 for prizes in ladies' driving competitions. Also asking that entrance fee be the same. — Referred to Horse Committee to deal with. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded for donation. From Quibell Bros., regretting that committee do not favour suggestion re progeny prize and offering the following suggestions: (1) The best criterion of a ram is to bo found in his progeny, hence the desire that the firm's trophy should go to such a class as already indicated. The first objection of the committee re unsuitability of age, viz., 21 months, can be easily disposed of : The ewe with lamb at foot to be over 18 months, the other ewe to be under 18 months; as regards the ram the same regulations apply, the one to be over 18 months and the other under. Identifying the breeding of the respective animals must be left to the honesty of exhibitors. — The letter was left to Mr Wheeler to meet Messrs Quibell's representative at the Winter Show and discuss the suggestions. Messrs McMurray and Co. wrote stating that they were much dissatisfied with the classing of horses in class 87 at last show. They pointed out that their horses, which were said to be too light for the class, were really more suitable, and offered to submit the animals to a practical test for the information of the committee. It was suggested that horses competing in the classes referred to be not eligible if over a certain weight. Referred to Horse Schedule Committee, with power to act. The Ground Committee in their report recommended that thhe stand be wired with netting in order to keep out small birds. The estimated cost was £70. Mr Cohen did not approve of such a large expenditure, but thought it would be very much cheaper to clean the seats twice a year. Major Dunk suggested that some cheap oalico be placed over the seats. The matter was referred to Finance Committee to report at next meeting. Accounts amounting to £93 were passed for payment.' The spring show schedules were brought before the Committee for consideration, and with the exception of a few amendments were adopted. In consideration of the schedules, Mr J. M. Johnston said it was extremely desirable that the stewards should bring the judges to the press room so that the papers could be supplied with correct information. As a matter of fact in the Old Country reports from the judges were supplied to the press. Mr Stevens said this would not work, as there were insufficient judges. Mr Buchanan asked where the reporters were to get this information from? It was absolutely essential that farmers should get correct reports. Under the present system it was difficult for a reporter sometimes to get the judge he required except he waited by the pen half a day. The consequence was that the reporter got in touch with some exhibitor and filled up with any information he could get. Mr J. M. Johnston moved that stewards be instructed to bring the judges to the Press room so that reporters may obtain any information they desire. — Carried. Mr Jarvis moved that the resolution inoreasing the entrance fee for pigs to 5b be rescinded and altered back to the original amount, viz., 2s 6d for members and 5s for nonmembers. Mr Jarvisj in support of his motion, said that it cost more to exhibit pigs than any other class of stock owing to the conveying them to the Show. It often cost tho speaker £10 to get his exhibits to the Show. — The motion wis lost. Mr Wheeler moved that a conveyance be sent to meet pigs coming by train and carted free to the grounds. — Carried. Mr Cohen moved, that this Committee view with much satisfaction the proposition re "Royal Agricultural Shows" suggested by the Canterbury A. and P. Association, hav-. ing for its object the holding of such fixture in the North and South Islands alternately ; and has much pleasure in according its hearty support and cooperation. — Carried. Mr Cohen, in support of his motion, said that the matter was one worthy of every consideration. The holding of such a show would also afford reasonable ground for a Government subsidy, although he did not believe in getting the Government to wet nurse everything that comes along. The Show would bo framed in such a form that the Government could not help giving a subsidy, seeing the benefits which hoth Islands would derive. Resolved, that subject to no important business the June meeting be not held. The ticket question again cropped up, and resulted in a lengthy discussion, which was taken in committee. Resolved, that ladies' tickets be issued as follows to members: — (1) Winter Show— Four separate tickets good for any one day, one admission only. Spring Show — Two separate tickets, for each day only, one-half the tickets to be taken up at the , members' gate, and the second half at the stand, passes to be issued at the grandstand only.