AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1340, 31 May 1878, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The ueual monthly meeting of the committee of the above association was held yesterday, at 2.30 p.m. Present—Hon. John Hall (in the chair), Messrs Sutherland, Mann, Henderson, Aynsley, Mcßeath, Duncan, Bruce, Ford, and Boag. RAM AND EWE PAIR. The sub-committee appointed to frame the necessary regulations for the ram and ewe fair brought up]their report, which was disclosed. They recommended that the ehe.rgo per sheep for entry be 2e, or if sold singly or entered to be Bold singly the entrance to be <ls. The shetp to be divided into lots, and the order of sale to be drawn for by ballot. It was suggested that the fees for the ewe fair should be Is and 2s for entrance. Mr Ford thought that the sheep should be Hold according to entry on the catalogue, the

secretary to place them in the catalogue as the entries reached him. He would move—- " That the regulations applying to the last ewe and ram fair be adopted for the present year, with this alteration, that the sales should proceed according to the priority of entry with the secretary for placing in the catalogue." Mr Henderson seconded the motion. Mr Duncan said he should move an amendment, because he saw that Mr Ford and Mr Henderson had not attended the committee meeting. It was therefore unfair to the other members of the committee to undo their work in their absence. He would move—" That the matter be referred back to the subcommittee, with a request that they would consider the subject brought forward in Mr Ford's resolution. The secretary to call a full meeting of the sub-committee." Mr Norman seconded the amendment. Mr Ford withdrew his resolution, and the amendment then becoming the substantive resolution, was carried.

PBIZB CATALOGUE. The report of the sub-committee, appointed to revise the prize catalogue, was then considered. They suggested that horses should be brought on the ground at the same time as the sheep and cattle. They also suggested certain alterations in the prize schedule. In class 36, for young entires, they suggested an alteration, so that it would read as being necessary to bo over two years old. In class 37 it was proposed to make a new class for young mares, with foal at foot or in foal. In implements, it was suggested that the price should be given in the entry ticket. A new class was proposed for a stripper adapted for saving rye grass seed, prize £2 and £l. It was proposed also that the prize of £25 should still be given to reapers and binders. For gorse cutters it was proposed to reduce the prize offered from £SO to £25. On this item being read, Mr Aynsley said he should like to see the higher prize retained, and would move —" That the aaiount for the gorse cutter be loft at £50." The resolution was lost, and the suggestion of the committee was adopted. On the motion of Mr Ford, it was resolved "That the prize for the stripper be made £5 and £2 respectively." The trial of the machines was fixed to take place before any prize was awarded, at such date aB may be fixed by the committee. The entry for the prize was fixed to be made at time of general entry. Mr Ford said he thought the reapers and binders ought to be entered at the time of the general entry. It was, however, decided to retain the conditions as at last show. In New Zealand produce and manufactures it was decided that a prize should be given for cooking ranges. The prizes were fixed at £2 and £l. The remaining suggestions of the committee were then discussed.

A letter was read from Mr H. J. Hall, asking the committee to consider the advisability of having a class for sporting dogs at the show.

Mr Ford thought that perhaps the addition of the class for dogs would be an attraction. Mr Duncan could not see the good of having such a class at all. The matter then dropped, Mr Boag called the attention of the committee to the fact that no accommodation was provided for horses. Now that it had been arranged to have the horses for two days on the ground, it would be exceedingly inconvenient for horses to be taken home or provided for wherever it could be done, and brought back the next day. Mr Ford agreed with Mr Boag. He saw very great difficulty in arranging for the accommodation of horses if they required them to stay for two days. Mr N orman said the recommendation of the sub-committee was that twenty loose boxes should be erected by the association as a commencement, to accommodate draught entire stock. The cost of the twenty boxes would be about £2OO. It was intended that they should be placed at the back of the ground, the fence being removed. Mr Ford said that the time had nearly arrived when they ought to consider whether the ground was large enough for their purpose. He thought it was very probable that after they had gone to some expense in building these boxes, &c, they would find that the grounds were too small. The question of the erection of horse boxes was then put and carried by 5 to 3. AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS ACT. The report of the sub-committee appointed to consider the bringing of the Association under the Act was read, recommending that it should be done, and that the petition should be presented to the Governor in accordance with the Act. The sub-committee also recommended that as the work of secretary had now become so onerous a salary of £250 should be paid to some person who would undertake the office of secretary and the preparation of "The Country Journal," office accommodation to be provided.

The recommendation of the committee as regarded the Agricultural and Pastoral Association being brought under the Act was adopted, and those present signed the petition. The next recommendation as to the combination of the offices of secretary and editor of " The Country Journal" was discussed at some length. Mr Duncan moved —" That the recommendation of the sub-committee be adopted." Mr Mann seconded the motion. Some further discussion ensued, and ultimately the motion was agreed to. It was resolved that the sub-committee take steps to carry out the report. A GENEEAL ASSOCIATION FOE NEW ZEALAND. A letter was read from the Oamaru Society forwarding a resolution arrived at by them to the effect that the time had arrived when it was neceseary to establish a National Agricultural Society for New Zealand, such as the Royal and Highland Societies, and asking that the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association would join in it. A letter was also read from a gentleman in Dunedin, stating that the head quarters of the proposed National Association was likely to be in Christchurch. A report of the proceedings of the Otago Association was enclosed, at which the resolution was agreed to. Mr Duncan said that this was a most important matter, and required careful consideration at their hands. He should move —"That the matter be referred to a sub-committee with a request that it will report thereon to the next meeting. Such committee to comprise Hon John Hall, MecsH] Muvray-Aynelev, Ford, Gould, J. R, Hill, J. G-rigg, Bruce, Tabart, J. Anderson, junr., and the officers of the Association." Mr Henderson seconded the motion, which was agreed to. NEW MEMBEBS. Several gontlemen were elected as members of the Association. ACCOXTNTS. A number of accounts were passed, and ordered to be paid. The committee then adjourned.