NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2348, 4 August 1871, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Society w:is held on Tuesday, August Ist, at the Criterion Hotel, at the usual hour—3.3o p.m. Mr. \V. T. Bussett, the Cice-President, occupied the chair. The minutes of last meoling were read and confirmed. The following report was read by the Secretary :— "Report of the commit teo appointor] by the Society to consider and report upon the draft Sheep Act, drawn by a committee of the Legislative Council. " The committee, having carefully considered tho Act, are of opinion that it is not at all adapted to the I'rovincj of Auekluid. All that is required in this province is one or two inspectors at most, as it is not worth whilo to bring into force taxing machinery for so small an object. The committee cannot see what is to be gained by paying the taxes—if tares are to be levied—to the Colonial Treasurer. Is the object of tho bill to raise revenue for the Government ? Surely, if taxes arc to bo levied at, all, it should be on the principle of ail insurance fund, and should be so that-, ill the event of disease breaking out, the funds could be instantly applied to stamping it out. As the Act stands, it looks like an Act for extirpating disease by ruining tho unfortunate owner of diseased sheep. Clause 16 providis that the Governor shall fix the rate to bo levied on all sheep in the colony. This must mean a uniform rate. Supposo the estimated expense to bo greater in some districts than in others, then the tax would be levied so as to cover the expenses of (lie most expensive districts, while in thoso districts where expenses were least tho Government would receive the ditFerence, because Clause 17 provides that the Colonial Treasurer shall in no case p:iy more than the estimated expenses. On the whole, therefore, your committee are of opinion that the proposed Act should be opposed iu toto, and request the secretary to supply the members for the province with a copy of this report.—(Signed) Wm. Goodfellow, Every Maclean, W. T. Bassett." An animated discussion arose on the possible intention of the promoters of tho bill. It win also remarked that, the Hon. C. Taylor could not possibly have assented to it on behalf of the province, as it is altogether inimical to the owners of sheep, and in 110 way showe i an acquaintance with the requirements of the case as existing in this province. It was unanimously resolved that tho report bo adopted.—lt was suggested by a member that the Cattle Show, which is to bo held in the month of November next, should be advertised immediately. The Treasurer delicately hinted thtt they ought to be ill possession of funds before venturing on advertising, so it was resolved to leave the matter iu the hands of the managing committee, with a request at the same time that they wculd devise some plixtl whereby funds could be raised conveniently to largely increase the grant of the Provincial Government. Tho meeting then separated.