CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 8373, 7 January 1888, Page 6

CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Committee of this Association was held at the office, Hereford street,at2 p.m.yesterday; present—Messrs J. Deans (Chairman), P. Duncan, John M'Beath, J. Feather, S. Garforth, J. Gilmour, W. Henderson, William Norman, and John Anderson, jun. Mr Garforth gave notice of the following motion—“ That the sums fixed for the use of the new Show Grounds, £5 for school treats and .£lO for trotting meetings, are too high.” Mr Garforth said these amounts might be safely reduced to £3 and £7 7s, but that he would leave the amount to bo fixed in the hands of the Committee. Accounts amounting to £2lB 13s 7d were passed for payment. A letter was read from Mr Brydon, of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, stating that he thought that the sheep classes were too much cut up for proper justice to be done to all of them, and suggesting that some of the “ housed and clothed” might be cut out, and that sheep would benefit by being shown in their natural state. After some discussion, Mr Garforth moved that the discussion of the letter be deferred till the annual meeting of the Association. A letter was read from Mr W. Quinn, Hon Secretary of the Tapanui Farmers’ Club, asking if sheep not of the exhibitor’s own breeding could be shown at the Tapanui Show for the Champion Cup, and enclosing the conditions under which the Cup was given. It was resolved to recommend that on Mr Mfirray, who showed sheep bred by himself, giving a declaration to that effect, the Cup should go to him. Two applications were received for the post of caretaker to the new Show Ground, and it was decided to reply that the post was filled. THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE. The following paper on the Californian thistle, which had been prepared by Mr Murphy, Secretary of the Association, at the request of the Committee, was read: — “ In accordance with instructions from the Committee, I ins tted an advertisement in the papers, a king for information regarding the so-called Californian thistle, and offering to forward samples of the plant to anyone not familiar with its appearance. The result has been that I have received numerous applications for specimens ; and not only so, but the office has been visited bv largo numbers of persona interested in the matter. The result has been that several persons have had the plant growing on their land who were ignorant of its nature for several years past. Some of them have adopted vigorous measures for the prevention of the spread of the pest, while others less interested do not seem disposed to trouble their heads much about the matter. As a proof of the prevalence of this noxious weed, I may mention that it is now growing in the followingplaces.aud doubtlessin manyothers: —At Temuka, Longbeach, Ashburton, Springston, Spreydon, Dunsandel, Kiccarton, Merivale Lane, the Eadcliffe estate (near Chaney’s corner), the Harewood road (five acres), and on at least three farms on Kaiapoi Island, and at Governor’s Bay. Those who have attempted to eradicate this pest have found that the ordinary method of destroying thistles, viz., ploughing and grubbing and harrowing, rather tends to increase the spread of the weed than to exterminate it. Referring to the Inspector of Thistles’ (Californian) report in Tasmania, I find that several farmers, after three years persistent hoeing, succeeded in eradicating the plant. This method appears to have been more successful than that of covering over with litter, although the latter answers very well if properly attended to. I would draw your attention to Mr M’Kenzie’s proposed Thistle Act on tho table before you, providing that farmers shall bo compelled to prevent the thistle from blooming. Such a measure may prevent the spread of the plant by seed, but it will in no way prevent its spread on land already infested. I would submit that the Act does not go far enough. I should insist on tho entire extermination of the plant wherever and in whosever’s land it may be found growing. This thought is not original. Referring to the Tasmanian report already referred to, you will find that the Inspector recommends that in those districts where the thistle has not yet taken complete possession of tho soil, its entire eradication should be insisted on, allowing a reasonable time for doing so, say two, or even three, years. The thistle, although widely distributed, has not yet got beyond us; and in the interests of landowners now is the time to deal vigorously with the pest in the manner suggested. As directed by the Committee, I have submitted the results of my enquiries on the question to the Government. The thistle, if neglected, will be to tho Canterbury farmers what the rabbit has been to the Otago sheep-farmers.” Mr Feather said that it was little use making a cry about weeds, when they were being sown throughout the land by the railway trucks. Mr Henderson said that the Government were in the habit of putting refuse into trucks for packing, and that when this stuff died the seed blew all over the country. Mr Garforth also spoke strongly on the subject of the snread of gorso, saying that so long as this was allowed it was no use to attempt to exterminate rabbits. From his experience ho knew that planting blue-gums was the only thing which would keep down the gorse. He thought that a Committee should be appointed, and that they should consider both subjects—that of the spread of the Californian thistle and the gorse nuisance. He moved—“ That Messrs Cunningham, Deans, Garforth, Fergusson, Norman, and Feather form a Committee to report upon the subject.” The motion was carried. A letter from Mr Inwood, of Winchester, stated that the Californian thistle had appeared on his farm, and that he had lately noticed a new sort of fly in the place. A general meeting of the Association was fixed to take place on Feb. 3, to confirm certain rules. The meeting then adjourned.