AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11889, 12 May 1899, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held yesterday afternoon; present—Messrs G. E. .Rhodes (president), T. W. Adams, R. M. Macdonald, F. A. Archer, W. Reece, A. W. Heaven, P. Duncan, G. Gould, F. C. Murray, E. G. Staveley, A. Chamberlain, J. Anderson, E. V. Palmer, G. Jameson, W. F. M. Buckley, 8. Garforth, .L Deans, R. H. Rhodes and Sir J. Halil. Apologies for absence were received from Sir G. Clifford, Messrs H. P. Murray-Aynsley and D. M’Millan. The provisional directors of the Agricultural and Industrial Hall Company wrote urging; the ; necessity for determined effort upon the part of the Association to'ensure the disposal of preference shares, and asking the committee to appoint! members to assist in the work of canvassing for shares. Mr Reece, as chairman of directors, said that the project of ah Industrial Hall had’ now reached such'a stage that all that was required to make it a success was a little more energy and push. The proprietary shares had all been subscribed, and he thought it was not too much to ask the Association to take in hand the question of disposing of £6OOO worth of preference shares. If this were done the erection of the hall could be at once proceeded with. He suggested that the town' members of the Association should join with the members of the Industrial Association in disposing of the required shares, and the country members should canvass their own districts. The hall was not for the benefit of the town alone', but for the whole province, as when they had the hall they would be able to have a permanent museum of agricultural products, which would' be very valuable, while the hall would also he available for public purposes. ; Mr Staveley said that it was a matter for congratulation that affairs had progressed so favourably up to the present point, and a very little, energy would now make the hall an accomplished fact. Sir John Hall said that it was the duty of the Association to assist the project in every way, and suggested that, iri order to interest the public, copies of a sketch plan of the proposed building should be distributed. . It was ultimately decided to/accede to the terms of the letter, and to communicate with the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations in other parts of Canterbury .with a view of getting them to interest themselves in the matter. The Marlborough Land and Railway League wrote forwarding a resolution which had been passed by its members to the effect that the time had arrived when-the Government shoud at once adopt a more progressive system of public works, and that prospects of the colony quite justified a speedy completion of the main trunk railways in both islands. A lengthy series of resolutions was enclosed. Mr Staveley moved and Mr Reece seconded a motion endorsing the sentiments expressed in the letter and resolutions, and alko urging that the railway should be continued from Waipara to Cheviot. Mr Anderson said that acticri of the Government in purchasing lands, before the construction of the railway, as was being done from, Kaikoura to Blenheim, was commendable. as it meant that the line would virtually cost the country very little. fair John Hall said that he had always advocated the completion of the main trunk line in the South. Island, and, when in office, had taken care that the bridge made over the Clarence had been so constructed as to carry a railway lline. He thought that at present,they should be content to urge that the line should.be pushed on from Waipara. to Cheviot, and that if it were carried on through to Blenheim the betterment system could be' adopted. An amendment, referring the matter to a sub-corimiittee, was carried, and Sir John Hall arid Messrs T. W. Adams, R. M. Macdonald and J. Anderson were appointed the committee. The Manawatu and West Coast Association forwarded a copy of a circular which had been sent to other Associations, asking them to co-operate in a scheme of. affiliation for the purpose of establishing a United Agricultural and Pastoral Associations’ Council. The circular enumerated the advantages to be gained by the establishment of such a body. In reply to circulars already sent out, the Egmont, Wanganui, Masterton and Manawatu Associations had agreed to appoint delegates to attend a meeting to discuss the question at an early date. The letter was ordered to be received, and acknowledged with thanks. The Christchurch Meat Company wrote forwarding particulars of the sheep which had competed for its prize a* the Metropolitan Show, and which bad been'sent Home according to the conditions, and asking the Association to award the balance of the prizes half of which had been awarded on the live sheep at the show. The matter was relegated to , the Sheep Committee, with power to act. The Ground and Finance Committees reported concerning certain alterations proposed to be made to the Treasurer’s office at the show grounds, and the erection of accommodation for bicycles, and asked for power to expend £IOO on, the works. Mr Reece moved the adoption of the report. He said that the committee was of opinion that a members’ gate should be erected so as to keep the members’ tickets entirely separate from those sold to the public. Mr Staveley said that; although the estimated cost was nearly £IOO, the portion required for the erection of the bicycle shed would be a source of revenue. The report was adopted. ■ After a Rug discussion it was decided to have a separata gate, without turnstiles, for members only. . The Winter Show Committee presented its report, which stated that its. work was proceeding satisfactorily, and there was every prospect of a good show. The report was adopted, as was also a recommendation by the Finance Committee as to gate arrangements. The Herd Book Committee brought up a report recommending that the charge for registration in the Herd Book should be 5s per bead for each bull or cow belonging to one owner up to twenty-five, and 3s per head afterwards. The report was adopted. Pursuant to notice, Mr Anderson moved- “ That Rule 3 be altered so as to allow the officers and members of committee to be elected bv ballot, and that each’ member ■ of the Association be supplied with ballotI papers in time to be returnable at the an- ■ nual general meeting.” The motion was seconded by Mr Deans and carried. • Accounts amounting to £79 3s 7d were passed for pavment. Messrs G. Birdling, W. Blake, J. Finlayson, H. Friedlander, G.

Lill, F. E. Morrish, P. Overton, M. CJ. Orbeli, R. Tpmline, T. Taylor and Captain M’Lean were elected members of the Association. ■ ' The meeting then closed.