A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9724, 13 May 1892, Page 6

A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

MEETING- OF THE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Committee of the ! Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral ; Association was held yesterday afternoon ; ■ present—Mr H. Overton (Chairman) and i Messrs John Grigg, W. Henderson, P. Duncan, J. Feather, G. King, J. T. Matson, J. J. Kinsey, D. M'Millan, H. P. MurrayAynsley, J. T. Ford, W. Boag, Hon H. Gray, and Sir John Hall. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Buchanan, Gar forth and A. E. G. Rhodes. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. A circular was read from Mr Maskell, or Wellington, asking the Association to join with other similar Societies in urging upon the Legislature to- establish a fully-equipped expert Agricultural • Department in New Zealand. The mutter was referred to the conference'of delegates from Agricultural and Pastoral Associations to be held shortly. .CORRESPONDENCE. Letters wane read— From Mr A. W. MTlwraith, forwarding a subscription towards the proposed grand stand. He was of opinion that too much money was given for prizes in jumping, and he thought that better provisionshould be made for a luncheon-room. ' Mr King said that Mr MTlwraith was evidently not aware that the prizes for jumping were given by the general public. Consideration of the suggestion with regard to providing a luncheon booth was deterred. From Mr A. W. Rutherford, withdrawing his offer to take up a number of shares in the grand stand, as he found that the tickets were He thought that subscribers should be showed to do as they pleased with, the tickets to which they were entitled. He thought that two hundred and fifty seats should be reserved for life members. Several members expressed au opinion that tickets should be transferable under certain circumstances, but the suggestion that seats should be reserved was generally opposed. Ultimately, consideration was deferred till nest meeting. From the Agricultural Department, stating that the request of tne Association that free passes on the railways should be given to delegates attending the agricultural conference, would be laid before the Minister on his return to Wellington. From Mr Taggart, stating his intention of giving a prize of £o to the best lady rider at the nexc show. The offer' was accepted, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Taggart. From Mr T. W. A items, of Greendale, stating that he was v«ry much impressed with the desirableness of experimenting locally with apples for Ha had, therefore determined to offer the sum of £5 in four prizes for the best four varieties of apples for export to be stored for seven weeks under conditions as nearly as possible approaching those to be met with on board ship. He proposed that the apples should bo opened up on the day before the next chrysanthemum show and be judged by three Christchurch fruiterers. On the motion of Mr Grigg it was resolved to thank Mr Adams for his offer, and to undertake the control of the competition. From Mr J. Lambie, Kyle, suggesting that in order to deal with insect pests the Association should introduce the Australian swallow and martin. _Ha offered to contribute <£lo towards tno cost of imnorting the birds. The Secretary renortad that the Auckland Association was endeavouring to procure tats from Australia. Soma discussion of a conversational nature ensued. It was resolved to make further inquiriea into the subject. Mr Lambie was thanked for his offer. TUB AGEICD-X/rTTEAL CONFERENCE. The report of the sub-Committee appointed to draw up subjects tor discussion at the conference cf delegates from Agricultural and Pastoral Associations was read. The conference will open on Thursday, May 26. Mr King suggested that the advisableness of licensing threshing machines and compelling the owners to furnish returns of the grain threshed by them, should be considered at the conference. By this means the information as toyields could be relied upon as being correct.' Many, of the persons who now collected the agricultural statistics were not qualified to do so, and if the present system was continued experts should be employed. Mr Grigg said that the conference might well taka into consideration the description of sheep and cattle trucks, and the mode of conveying stock by railway. The trucks now being made were so large that small farmers using them were put to serious inconvenience. Sir John Hall said that he had waited upon the Chief Commissioner on the subject. That gentleman had said that the new form of truck was much liked in the North Island, but he (Sir John) could hardly conceive this to be possible. Mr Grigg said that many breeders at Timaru had absolutely refused to transport sheep by the new trucks. The matter of suitably entertaining the delegates to the conference was referred to the Reception Committee. A THREE days’ SHOW.

Mr King asked that his notice of motion, contemplating the extension of the show to three days should be referred to a subcommittee. Ha gave several reasons why he considered the extension was desirable. He moved—“ That tiio matter be referred to a Committee, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Messrs Cunningnam, Matson, Headerson, Pergusoa and King.” The motion was agreed to. THU GUANO STAND. The Chairman said that forty shares had been taken up in tha grand stand. Some unimportant business having been transacted, the meeting terminated.