NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3973, 5 June 1885, Page 3

NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A special meeting of the above wm held yesterday in thn secretary's office. There were present — Mr Falconer (president, in the chair), Me«srs Borrie, Johnston, Morton, James Reid, J. B. Reid, J. S. Holmes, Gemmell, Dawson, Hedl«y, Connell, Thomson, and Maopherion. The minutes of last monthly meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved.

Tenders for the debentures of the association, issued for the purpose of making Improvements on the show ground, were considered. It was decided to accept amounts offered up to the sum of LIOSO, and to inform the tenderers that the money would not be required till the Ist of August next. The finance committee were instructed to attend to the details of preparing the debentures.

Mr J. S. Holmes submitted plans, at also models of the proposed improvements (prepared by himself) on the show ground. It was resolved that the plans as submitted be approved of, and that tenders be called for the work.

Mr James Reid thought the dairy produce building should be constructed so that it might be utilised as a grand stand, and if it could be placed on a suitable ■pot, both the association and the Caledonian society could use il. A higher rental could be obtained from the Caledonian society for the ground, if the stand were permanently fixed.

Tbe secretary suggested that the dairy produce building should be constructed so that it could be used as booths.

Mr Thomson did not think the association would luake anything out of a grand stand. Un no other show ground in the colony that he had visited were grand stands to be seen. In fact, visitors would sooner be moving amongst the stock than iitting on a grand stand.

Mr Morton said the association had no guarantee that the Caledonian society would use the ground for any period if the grand stand were built.

Mr Holmes thought the best guarantee the association could have would be to allow the Caledonian society to erect the grand stand. Mr Borrie could not see the advisability of allowing a foreign society to come in •nd erect permanent structures on their grounds. Tbe association should do that iisalf. He thought they could obtain a guarantee from the Caledonian society to rent the ground for a number of years. A deputation from the Caledonian so ciety, consisting of Messrs Bee, Sutherland, Milne, Ailkin, and Rule, waited upon the committee of the association with reference to the grand stand and the racing track.

Mr Bee explained that what the so. ciety required was a grand stand and improvements to the racing track.

Mr Hedley thought what the committee now had to consider was what rental would the Caledonian societj be prepared to pay if these improvements were carried out,

The president aaked if the deputation was prepared to make any offer as to rent.

The deputation explained that they had no power to make an offer. They had simply waited upon the committee at Iheir own request to learn what proposals they had to make to the Caledonian society.

Mr Connell thought; it would be a fair arrangement if the Caledonian society paid 10 per cent on the cost of the improvements, and the usual sum of Lls for tbe use of the ground.

Mr Milne suggested that the association should take into consideration the fact that it would receive direct benefit from tbe erection of a grand stand, &0. , itself. Mr Hedley thoughtLSOa-yearafairßum for the Caledonian society to pay, with an agreement to rent the ground for a certain number of years. Mr Burbury would like the deputation to atate what they thought they could pay.

Mr Sutherland thought LSO a fair rent. Mr Holmes said if the association allowed the society the use of the grounds at a rental of LSO they would lose by making the suggested improvement!. After diacuoßitiß the motion for sometime longer, the deputation withdrew. _ Mr Hedley said it would pay the association to let the society have the use of the ground and improvements for LSO a year. They could only reasonably charge interest on the amount the grand stand and track would cost above the estimate of the improvamenls the association would require for itself. Mr Thomson suggested that the rent be fixed at L 75 per annum. Mr Hedley : You will drive the society away if that sum is charged.

The president eaid they should make enquiries as to the cost, and calculate from that base.

Mr Holmes suggested LGO per annum as the rent.

Mr J. B. Reid moved, and Mr Borrie seconded, that the yard committee call for tenders for the work, and report at next meetiDg. Mr Connell moved, and Mr Dawson seconded, that L6O a year be charged, and that an agreement be obtained from th° Caledonian society to rent the ground for a period of 10 years. Mr Reid's motion was carried by a majority of one. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Borrie, and the suggestion of Mr Holmes, that the timber used in the carrying out of the improvement! be New Zealand timber. ' The meeting tben terminated.

The Orbatb&t Blessing.— A simple, pare, harmless remedy that cures every time and prevents disease by keeping the blood pure, itomach regular, kidneys and liver aotive, is the greatest Messing ever conferred upon man. Hop Bitter* is that remedy, and the Amerioan company the genuine manuhcturerp, are being bleated by theniwidß who have been cured by it. Try it. See.

Dcn't Dn in THi Houß«.—"Koußh on Bats ' oleara out rata, mice, beetles, roaches, bed.bngs, fliet, anu, inject*, molei, jaokrabbita, gophers.— Kemptborne, PrOBMt, and Co., Agaitf, Chrtitohurch.

SOUIH SEA ISLAND TRADE. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— We sue by your contemporary pßpers that the different chambers of commerce throughout New Zealand are ■ending representatives to ascertain the respective openings for trade that these islands present to their respective distriots. So far I am not aware that anything has been done to have this district represented, although we can claim the greatest share of the attributes which such representation can claim. We have the best flour which New Zealand can produoe ; we can supply potatoes which for quality cannot be surpassed in New Zealand, or the Australian colonies ; we have oatmeal, pollard, bran, etc., etc , and at such prices as no other port can compete with, We have alao a woollen factory capable of turning out all classes of goods and the only requirement is an outlet to induce the proprietors to adapt their Machinery (or some of it) to the South Sea Island trade. Under these conditions I cannot see why we should not be represented in the South Sea Island trade. Why, therefore, should we not send a representative on the island's excursion who will represent the interests of North Otago ? We cannot hope that our interests will be represented or looked after by Mr Wilson, of Dunedin, and hence my anxiety to see Oamaru represented. I would, therefore, respectfully suggest that a meeting of those interested in the export trade of this district be immediately called with the view of appointing a suitable representative to watch over and report on the interests of the Oamaru district in said trade.

I may add, sir, that I believe if this idea is adopted the business people of Oamaru are public-spirited enough to pay the expense of a representative ; but I must remind you, and tbe publio, that there is no time to lose if we want to have a say in the matter, as the latest chance of connecting with the Janet Nicoll will he by the express train leaving here at 12.30 on Saturday.

Interested.

[Our correspondent's suggestion is an admirable one, and we have no doubt that if the local exporters set to work in real earnest to-day they will be able to send away a trustworthy representative by to-morrow's train.]