MEETING AT RIVERSDALE.

Mataura Ensign, Volume VI, Issue 264, 15 June 1883, Page 2

MEETING AT RIVERSDALE.

4> A meeting was held at Gee's Hotel, Riversdale, on the Bth for the purpose of arranging for a ploughing match. Mr Robert Hamilton, on beiug voted to the chair, thanked the meeting for (he honor they had done him, and said he was sorry the secretary was not present to give a statement, financially and so forth, of last year's meeting, but he hoped he would yet make his appearance. In the meantime they must be content to transact what business they could. Mr Gee begged leave to inform the chairman that as far as the financial position was concerned there was a balance of £4 10s, after all expenses were paid, to the credit of the Association. Mr I. S. Simson would like to know if there was any established Association at Riversdale . The Chairman said that he thought there was , no organised Association, but that last year it was called the Waimea Plains Ploughing Match Association. A discussion ensued as to the advisableness of changing the name to " Riversdale," Mr Simson being of opinion that as all the land did not belong to the Company, Waimea was not a good name. He begged to propose that the name be altered to the " Riversdale Ploughing Match Association." Mr Gee moved as an amendment — That the name stand as of old. Seeing that it had already worked successfully under that title, he waa of opinion that to alter might injure their prospects. Tho amendment was carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr Gee, seconded by MCr Dixon, and carried— That the match be held on the 20th July.

Mr Dixon proposed — That the match be held near the same place as j last year. ' I The Chairman, in a few remarks, said it was customary in Associations he had been connected with, for the directors to advertise, so that all people willing could give the land, and the directors afterwards pickbd the best. Mr Simson suggested that the match be held as near a railway station as possible as lots of people would then be i duced to attend. Mr Jame3 Hamilton thought they were trying to walk before they could creep. They were talking aa if there were an Association. He thought an Association shou d be formed fir.t.; • Let t iis meeting elec:, a. committee, and let the committer go . to work. The discussion here became so fast and furious that ihe chairman had to call order, and begged to put it to the meeting whether it was necessary to have any ploughing match, because if the meeting thought not it had better [ disperse. Mr 1?. A. Ibbotson decidedly considered it necessary. He thought a I public meeting had not the power to •" give any name to the Association. \ Mr Simson thought the discussion i was unnecessary, as it had already been decided what name the Associa* ' tion should hold. To test the feeling ofthe meeting he would propose — i That Mr R. Hamilton bo elected chair- ■ man for the ensuing twelve months. 1 This was seconded by Mr Dixon and ' carried, Mr John Hamilton was elected secretary (this gentleman, however, ■ was not present.) | Mr Simson suggested a rice-chair-. . man and proposed Mr 3_\ Tbbotson. Mr Gee thought that in the chairman's absence the committee could always appoint one for the evening ; he was of opinion that other officers were necessary, and he would therefore • propose that Mr R. M. Robertson be President and Messrs Donald and Ib- | botson Vice-Presidents, Seconded by Mr J. Hall and carried, i Mr Ibbotson said he was proud to 1 have his name connected with the AB- -' sociation. He would always try *to dc \ his best to advance their interests and ■ those of the district generally. The following twelve gentlemen. were then elected a committee by a, show of hands : — Messrs A.McCaldon, > J. Keown, Jas. Hamilton, John Hall, .T, Gee, Jas. Butter, I. S. Simson, Auld, ' Dixon, A. McKay, J, Green, and { John Johnson. A subscription list was passed round the room, when Mr 3. . Ibbotson head- ' ed the list with the handsome sum of £10. Altogether' L 32 16s was donated. The usual vote of thanks terminated ' the proceedings.