AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5596, 31 January 1879, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at half-past two o’clock yesterday afternoon, at the offices in Hereford street j .present— Messrs W. Norman (in the choir), A. Duncan, Wm. Henderson, John Deans, 8. Garforth, J. Gilmour, J. Ferguson, H. P. MurrayAynsley, F. 0. Tabart. ACCOUNTS.

A number of accounts, which had been previously examined by the Finance Committee, were passed for payment, and a few items were held over for further inquiry. BAH FAIR. The Secretary reported that at present the sub-committee appointed to arrange the forthcoming ram fair had not sent in their report. From the minutes of their last meeting, the Secretary read some particulars, showing that tho ram fair was recommended to bo held oh March 6, and the ewe fair on tho following day. Also that entries should be received up to four o’clock on Fob. 22, and that the order of the catalogue should be decided by ballot, to conduct which a special meeting of the Committee would be held. The manner in which the ballot was to be conducted was specified. A eeneral conversation ensued, and it was suggested that the order of sale —-both on behalf of the auctioneers and their clients—should be decided by ballot. . Mr Qariorth pointed out that if the clients wore dealt with by ballot, there would, be no need for the auctioneers to draw lots at all. Ultimately it appeared to be unanimously agreed that the best course would be for i the auctioneers to take their order by lot, it being left to each one to determine the order in which he would submit the sheep entrusted to him. Mr Henderson suggested that so soon as any, pen had been sold, a ticket should be affixed. This would prevent the annoyance which buyers often experienced; they mightwait for hours for a particular lot. Only to find that it had been disposed of privately.’ Mr A. Duncan moved the following resolution, which was seconded; by Mr Deans, and! agreed to: —The compilation of the catalogue shall be arrived at in the following manner: The auctioneers who are, to.sell the lots shall be balloted for precedence, such ballot to be conducted by the sub-Committee, and the result of such ballot recorded by the Secretary. Each auctioneer must hand to the Secretary, on or before the day of -7- ;—,.the order in which he wishes the lots to be entered on the catalogue. But no one auctioneer will be permitted to sell more than 20 lots at one time, nor on any account to depart from the order in which he has been balloted. On the suggestion of Mr Henderson, the following clause was added :r—That in case of sheep being sold privately, a ticket with the word “ sold ” be affixed thereto immediately on the sale being effected. , TRIAL OF GRASS SEED STRIPPERS. , From Messrs P. and D. Duncan, a letter of inquiry was received as to when the Association would conduct the trial of grass-seed strippers, for which they had offered two prizes of £5 and £2. Members' thought that for this year the timehad been allowed to go. by. In reply to a question, the Secretary reported that at the show there were three; entries of strippers. The judges had not appended any remarks respecting them. Mr Gilmour, as one of the judges, reminded the members that it had been arranged that the strippers entered should be duly tried. Mr Henderson moved that the question be taken into consideration early next year, and that ground be, then secured for a trial. Mr Gilmour seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. APPLICATION FROM'ODDFELLOWS. From the Independent Order of Odd-; fellows an. application was received for the use' of the Society’s, ground on April 14, Easter Monday. ' After discussion, it was resolved to inform the applicants that in consequence of the gorse fence having recently been cut very t -hard in, it was! deemed inadvisable to let the ground during the present season. It was further mentioned that a large quantity of loose gorse was as yet lying on the ground. ; ; ’ ANNUAL MEETING, Upon the most desirable date for the annual meeting there was a long conversation, and ultimately it was agreed that it should be called for Thuwdajr, March 13. It was further resolved that all members 1 of the Association should be notified by post-: card of the date and time of the meeting. PEIZE SHEET. . The official prize sheet in connection with the annual show of 1878 was submitted and passed for payment. new Membebs. Messrs B. J. T. Ford, W. W. Charters, and Charles Amyes were elected members of the Association. “ COUNTRY JOURNAL."

Mr Andrew Duncan called attention to the fact that a great deal of money was owing to the Country Journal, and he trusted that subscribers would kindly act upon the hint he had now given, so that the success of the journal might not be impeded. The proceedings then terminated.