A. & P. ASSOCIATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9511, 5 September 1891, Page 3

A. & P. ASSOCIATIONS.

•' ELLESMERE.- ! A meeting oS tke Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral -Association was held at Spring’s Hotel, Leeston, on Thursday. There was a large attendance, the ’President (Mr R.B. Willis) occupying the A letter was received from Mr C. Enaor, Chairman of the New Farmers* Co-operative Association, enclosing a protest passed by the Directors against the Government taxation proposals. Mr Willis explained the proposals, and stated that he had written to other Associations and had received replies that they were in favour of forming a Farmers* Alliance, and were willing to co-operate. A letter was received from Sir John Hall, enclosing special prize, and advising: the Association that the Registrar of Electors was removed from Leeston, and suggesting that some steps should he taken in the matter. Mr E. Poster, Sheep Inspector, wrote explaining his system of ear-marking, also forwarding diagrams of ear-marks. It was resolved to defer consideration till a future meeting. A vote_ of thanks was passed to Mr Foster for the interest he had taken in this question. . The following were elected new members :—Messrs Thomas Hogg, J. Gaskin, M. O’Brien, C. C. Smithson, J. Marshall, T. Humphrey, J. A. Boag, W. Watson, jun., R. Wright, E. Peet, P. M'Evady, H. E. Davies, C. J. Willis and Dr Withers. The Sub-Committee appointed at last meeting to draft recommendations in answer to the circular from the Minister of Agriculture submitted its report. In this attention was drawn to the importance of the dairy industry, and the necessity of its encouragement was urged upon the Government. It was suggested, also, that an expert should be engaged by the department to lecture in the various country districts. The increasing importance of fruit-growing was recognised by the Committee, which considered that the industry would soon be one of great importance to village settlers. It was suggested that the Government should send a practical man to California, to study the system of fruit-growing adopted there, the varieties grown, the process of canning, and the means used to check the ravages of blight and insects. The Committee also drew attention to the fishing industry, as a subject which deserved consideration by the Government. Fish suitable for preserving and canning abounded on the coasts, and the assistance of Government was only required to successfully establish an industry which would be a means of profit to the coast settlers, and would materially add to the revenue of the Colony. The advisableness of publishing the agricultural statistics at an earlier date than at present was alluded to, and a suggestion was made that threshing-machine proprietors should be asked to furnish the department with returns. In the opinion of the Committee the department should take steps to exhibit a stand of the various products of New Zealand at the Show of the Royal Agricultural Society, because such an exhibit would have the effect of turning to this Colony the attention* of capitalists desiring to invest their money. The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks was passed to the Committee. The following gentlemen were appointed Class Stewards : Sheep class, Messrs F. T. Hennah, G. M f Clure, W. Withell and H. Gardiner; cattle, Messrs J. Stackhouse, W. G. Lunn and W. R. Maddison; blood horses, hackneys and hunters, Messrs W. Bishop and J. Lambio; carriage horses, cobs and ponies, Messrs C. Frankish and F. Jackson; draught horses, Messrs W. Holley, R. Lochhead and G. Stevens; pigs, Messrs W. Hibbard, D. Cant and T. Tolerton j dairy produce, Messrs J. Rennie, G. Sanderson* and, D. Scott; dogs, Mr F. Overton ; grain/Mr F. Jameson. ■> The meeting then terminated. •_> ! NORTHERN. f i A meeting of the Gommitee of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at the Road Board Office, Eangiora, yesterday afternoon. There was an attendance of twenty-four, Mr E. Chapman in the chair. The principal business of the meeting was! the appointment of Judges and Class : Stewards for the annual •show. . A telegram was received from Mr Moore, M.H.R., acknowledging, the receipt of the resolution passed against the taxation proposals, and stating that he had opposed them, but unfortunately they had passed the Lower House. A letter was read from Mr Willis, President of the Ellesmere Association, on the subject of the establishment of a National Agricultural Association, by means of lodges among farmers. It was resolved to acknowledge the letter. The meeting then terminated.