AGRICULTURAL AND PAS. TORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2062, 2 October 1880, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL AND PAS. TORAL ASSOCIATION.

The usual monthly meeting was held yesterday afternoon. Present —Mr J. R. Hill (chairman) and Messrs Mann, Mollraith, Norman, Cunningham, Henderson, Boag, Mcßeth, Wilkin, Ford, Anderson, junr., Murray-Aynsley and Sutherland. A letter was read from the Sydenham Cricket Club, requesting the committee to allow them the use of the Show grounds on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 6 p.m. until dusk, and on Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m,, from the months of October to March inclusive, on the condition that the shows and Tetes are not interfered with, and that the club would bo responsible for any damage done. The slub offered to pay £2O for the use of the ground. After discussion, it was proposed to accept the offer of the Sydenham Club, on certain conditions, but the motion was abandoned, and a resolution carried, on the motion of Mr Henderson, that the matter be referred to the ground committee, with power to act. After appointing judges in departments not already dealt with, the committee proceeded to consider the question of having a public holiday proclaimed on the occasion of the show, Tho vice-president, Mr Murray-Aynsley and Mr Ford were appointed to wait upon the Premier with the request that Wednesday, the 10th of October (being the second day of the show) may be proclaimed a public holiday.

A discussion took place regarding a suggestion by Mr Gould that admission to the ground at show time should be by ticket only. Mr Sutherland pointed out that this had been tried on a former occasion, and had utterly failed, owing to the great crush at the gates. Mr Henderson admitted this difficulty, but suggested that they might also endeavor to sell tickets outside.

After some conversation, the matter being considered from various points of view, the committee resolved to continue the system which had hitherto obtained in regard to admission. At this stage Mr Hill vacated the chair, having business elsewhere, and Mr Murray - Aynsley was elected ia his place. Mr Hill (before leaving the room) drew attention to an item on the order paper, as to whether games of chance should be allowed on the ground this year. He was not very rigid in regard to such matters, and did not parade his disapprobation of such practices on public occasions. But it was generally admitted to be a nuisance and a scandal that these adventurers with the thimble and the pea business should bo allowed to infest the grounds. In saying this ho hi lieved he spoke the mind of the committee generally. The question of letting small sites for special exhibits was discussed at some length. The committee ultimately resolved that small sites for special exhibits be let, to be 10ft. in depth, at the rate of 5s per foot. No tents to be allowed, but simple wooden frames covered with canvas, the position of each site to be left to the ground committee. At this stage Mr Hill again took his seat at the table, and the matter of allowing games of chance on the ground was reverted to.

Mr Hill moved—“ That no games of chance be allowed on the Association Ground.”

Seconded by Mr Wilkin and carried. With regard to the protection of dairy produce, Mr Murphy, tho secretary, said Mr Duncan before leaving for Australia, had drawn bis attention to the necessity of making some provision in this direction. The matter was referred to the yard committee with power to act. Messrs R. Wilkin and Co. were appointed auctioneers for the sale of privileges. On the motion of Mr Wilkin, it was unanimously resolved that there be no “ annual dinner ” in connection with the forthcoming show. The dinner committee of last year wore appointed a luncheon committee to make arrangements for entertaining judges and others on the ground. Arrangements were made for securing material for the trial of gorse cutting machines, a trial to be made on the day before the show. Mr Boag moved—“ That some provision should be made for protecting stud cattle from possible bad weather at the forthcoming show.” Several members spoke in favor of erecting a temporary roof over tho cattle yards. It was resolved—“ That temporary protection be made for aged cows in the shorthorned class at the next show.” The proposal to offer for sale the right to erect a grand stand on the Show Ground, which had been given notice of at the previous, meeting by Mr Qarforth, did not meet with approval, it being pointed out that the Association would do better to wait till they could afford to build a grand stand themselves, as in any case a certain amount of responsibility would rest upon them. The motion was rejected. An alteration was made in the rules to tho effect that the Oaks sweepstakes (section 19) be treated as a private prize. Mr Wilkin having pointed out that, according to a resolution passed some time since, thoroughbred cattle might be excluded because their pedigree did not appear in tho Herd Book, a resolution was passed to prevent such injustice being done at the forthcoming show. The following list of special prizes was laid on the table—By Mr J. Osborne, a prize of two guineas for the best grain drill, the drill to be subject to trial; Mr Willis, a prize value two guineas for the breeder of the best steer exhibited ; Mr Trip, £2O, for a gorse cutting machine capable of being drawn by one horse; the Industrial Association—a prize of £5 6s for the best twine for reapers and binders, and three guineas for the best assortment of pickles, three guineas for the best assortment of preserved fruits and jam, neatness of label, &c., to be taken into consideration ; Mr Reece—three guineas for the best cask of light bitter colonial beer, containing not more than 6 per cent, of sugar. It was resolved to accept the above-named prizes with thanks. Messrs S. Sinclair, B. Little, Dalziel, Q. Drydone, and Q. Tickner were elected members of the association.

A number of accounts were presented and passed for payment. A committee was appointed to arrange for parading of stock at the show. Mr Anderson gave notice of motion for next meeting as follows :—“That the_ association communicate with kindred societies in New Zealand with a view of collecting statistics and samples of agricultural productions of the colony, to be exhibited at the next Royal Agricultural Society’s Show in'Eng land, and that the Government be asked to aid in the cost of collecting.” This concluded tho business.