Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1707, 20 August 1887, Page 2

Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

A meeting of tbe general committee of the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at the Hawera Borough Council Chambers on Thursday, the 18th. Present — Messrs. D. McLean, E. Mcßae, J. Mason, Hunter, G. Wilson, W. Mitchell, Yorke, Fiolayson, I. Bayly, Budge, Hastie, W. Caverhill, W. Dive, and, later, the President (Mr. J. Lysaght), in the chair.

DATE OF SHOW. Mr. Diva said the first businegi before the meeting was to fix the date of the next show.

Mr. Mcßae thought that as the present season was very backward, it wonld be advisable to hold the show 2«ter thna tbe previous year.

Mr. Wilson said it was urged by shipowners that November suited best, because they wanted to shear tbeir rams early. But that reason was not sufficient to stand in the way of all stock. -

Mr. MoLean suggested the first Week ia December as Cv« best date.

Mr. Yorke agreed that about that date was the most suitable time.

Mr. M. Hunter said that stock looked better in December than at any previous time, and if owners saw their stock looking weli tbey were more disposed to exhibit them than if the animals were only in store condition. Tbis would holp to in* crease the entries at tbe show.

On the motion of Mr. McLean, it was resolved to bold tbe next show on Wed* nesdtiy, November 30, being St. Andrew's Day and a bank holiday.

NEW MEMBEB.

Mr. R. Lambie was dnly elected a member.

TICKETS,

It was suggested by tbe Hon. See. that membership should entitle members to bring tbeir wives with them and aimit them free.

Mr. G. Wilson thought they Bbould give the bachelor members a show to take a lady with them.

It was suggested that members should also be allowed to take their children in free of charge ; but this was not generally agreed to, and finally it was resolved that tickets be issued to members to convey tbe privilege of admitting to the show free of charge a member and a lady. On the motion of Mr. Winks, it was further resolved that children under three years be admitted free of charge, and under 14 years of age at half-price. On the suggestion of Mr. Lysaght, who desired that some steps should be taken prevent people entering the ground on the cheap, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Mcßae, seconded by Mr. McLean, that tickets for admission be printed with blocks go as te check the entrance fees paid at the gate. All persons on the ground might then be asked to produce an admission ticket, if it were believed that certain visitors were evading payment.

FRIZES.

Mr. Haaon moTei that iamtemi ot money prizes being given by the association, a silver medal be offered for first and a bronze medal lor second prize, in all classes which the committee consider luoh prizes are applicable. The mover instanced tbe success of the Hawke's Bay show, at which this practice prevailed. There they had collected £116, as special prizes, and be thought it would be possible to raise a fair amount for special prises here also. Too much money bad been given away for prizes last year, and therefore tbis year it was their doty to be more economical.

Mr. Caverhill seconded the proposal. Mr. Yorke said there had been a circular received last year from a Sydney firm offering to supply Agricultural and Pastoral Association medals, in gold, silver, at bronze, at a very cheap price. Tbe Wanganui and West Coast Exhibition had had a jubilee medal struck to commemmorate the exhibition, and had sold the medals all out at a good profit. He held that in classes for backs and perbaps milch cows money prizes should certainly be given.

The President thought it might be possible to get enough money from donations and special prizes to attract exhibits from a distance.

Mr. Winks questioned the wisdom of the motion. He thought if they eonld not give fair money prizes they should cease to hold a show. Unless people saw they would have a chance to clear their ex* penses, they would not trouble to exhibit stock.

Mr. Wilson bod taken sheep to Palmer* ston show in the previous year, and had only received two guinea's as a special prize out of a number of exhibits. That would not tempt him to send stock down there again.

After fnrther conversational discussion Mr. Winkß moved as an amendment, That prizes be given in all cases except ihe exhibitor prefer to accept a medal in lieu of payment. He believed this was the best and wisest course to adopt. They could not compare tbe Hawkes Bay district with this one. Tbe number of large breeders of good stock here were few, bnt were numerous in Napier. If small money prizeß were offered here it might not at* tract breeders of prize stock from a distance, but that would let tho owners of stock from ordinary herds in, who did not care to compete with large breeders of stud stock, who were able to spend a lot of money on tbeir stock. Mr. Yorke seconded pro forma. Per* sonally be did not care whether models or money were given. But if exhibitors who had won prizes were given a choice he did not doubt that mostot them would choose the hard cash. Exhibitors from a distance did not mind the trouble, bat if they were successiul tbey desired in most cases to clear their expenses at the least.

Mr. I. Bayly quite disagreed with Mr. Winks. He thought the money whioh could be offered by the society would be quite insufficient to draw people from a distance. Ho believed that the show would take better if medals '"»t#*xl of money prizes were issued. If tbey wished to attract outsiders they should offer a feir substantial prizes that were worth winning, and the outsiders would compete for them. At present they cut up the prize money into so many small portions that its good effect was wasted and lost.

Mr. J. Davidson favored Mr. Winks' Amendment.

A vote was taken, and amendment de* clared lost.

Mr. Dive then moved a fresh amend' ment as follows : — " That a sub-committee be appointed to arrange a programme, nnd name prizes they would propose to (lire ia each case, and submit it to the general committee at a future meeting." He urged that before the prize money could be apportioned, the- committee sbonld find out bow the finances stood and what expense they could spare for prizes. Mr. Hunter seconded. He understood that exhibitors last year complained about the fewness the prises. This year th* prizes in money would be leas viiU, to they could not look forward to many outside competitors.

After a lengthy talk over matters, the amendment was put and deolared carried by the casting vote of the chairman.

The following subcommittee was than appointed to carry ont the resolutions :— Messrs. Dive, Fantham, E. Mcßae, W. Caverhill, Hunter, Mason, J. Davidson, J. c. Torke, I. Bayly, J. Winks, and D. McLean.

On the motion of the President, it was resolved to instruct th* secretary to' ascertain frcm the Canterbury* and > tin North Canterbury Association, what eon* cessions are granted, to exhibitors Mndia* o stock to or bringinjfit, from* A.,a»d,P. y Shows, in those districts. '

— It-ww agreed that the sub-committee ■bould zii'eet on Saturday week, 27th instant, at 3 p.m. The meeting then closed at 5.30 p.m.