NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1495, 9 September 1868, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

A special general meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Society was held in the Criterion Hotel yesterday afternoon, at three o'clock, to make arrangements for the ensuing cattle show.

Mr. P. C. Lewis, Vice-President, in tho absence of the President, took the chair, and in opening the meeting, read the advertisement convening it, and said he had no remarks to offer further than he thought it unadvisable to hold a show.

Mr. H. S. Andrews said it was on his recommendation that the meeting wa3 summoned. A deputation from the Society had waited on Mr. Buckland, asking him if he would hold his sheep fair on the same day as tho Society wished to hold their show. He acceded to this. It was now for this meeting to say whether tho committee should be appointed today, or whether there was sufficient spirit shown to warrant a show being held. He believed a show was necessary. There was no use in putting it off from year to year. But when there was such a small attendance it would prove whether there was any interest taken in the matter, or perhaps tho members, thinking there was sure to be'a show, did not think it necessary to attend. A cattle show ought to be hold, for, unless it were, the Society would rather appear to be retrograding instead of progressing. It was, however, for the meeting to say whether it was desirable to hold a show before proceeding to elect a committee.

Mr. W. T. Bassett said they were in honor bound to hold a show. Subsequent to the last show there was some dissatisfaction expressed at the prizes, and it was resolved then in a full meeting that there should be a show very speedily—tliat the expenses should be cut down, as low as possible. A deputation had waited on Mr. Buckland, nnd ho had, in deference to the Society, agreed to give up his yards to the purposes of a cattle show. In honor to him and to the public they were bound to have a show. The argument that the times were not good did not hold so well now as it did some time ago. Things were looking better, and there was some chance of the show being a succcss. He would move that a show be held on the 21st October, the day advertised, and that the appointment of the committee be left to the next general meetin"'. Mr. Auckland seconded the motion. The prizes should not be an inducement so much as the ionor of the thing. In Otago they had had five or six shows, and that province, if as large as Auckland, was not in as good a

position. For the sake of the prestige of tho province the}' should have the show. Mr. IT. S. Andrews wished to know if the next monthly meeting would give sulliciont time to malco all preliminary arrangements. It was suggested to call a special meeting next Tuesday, the market day, when a committee could be definitely appointed and the preliminaries at once arranged. Mr. j'/.sSKTr then moved tho following resolution, " That tho Anuual.Cattlo Show be held on the 20th October next, in accordance with a previous advertisement, and that a special general meeting bo held on Tuesday next, for the purpose of appointing a committee to carry out the above object." The motion was put and carried. A voto of thanks to tho Chairman concluded the meeting.