TE AROHA AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11202, 24 October 1899, Page 3

TE AROHA AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

A MEETING of the committee of the above society was held on Saturday night, when there were present: Messrs. Bowler (2), EdWards, Brown, Holhoringtoii, Eossons, Stanley, Bellamy, Borrie, Strange, Lavery, and Hill, Mr. Bowler, vice-president, occupied tho ciair. Tho secretary reported on tho I recenl work undertaken by the society, in the ' way of erecting pens on the newly-acquired showground. The labour had been supplied freo by members of the society, leaving only tho cost of material (estimated at £24) to be' provided for. This, as arranged at last meeting, would bo met by an issue of £1 debentures, which 'had since been placed for distribution among the members. From latest ascertained returns £29 had been raised by this means, which would no doubt be increased when all the returns wero sent in. This was considered sufficiently satisfactory to warrant the committeo asking Mr. Lavery to proceed with tho erection of a shed, in which to store tho society's property. A letter was received from Messrs. Jesse King and Co., suggesting the formation of a farmers' co-operative association, on lines similar to those which had proved so successful in tho South. The letter was read, but the society, as such, did not feel inclined to do more than recommend the idea to the favourable consideration of the members. Correspondence was also read from tho Auckland Agricultural Society: (1) Requesting the Te Aroha Society to send two delegates to tho annual conference of delegates, which will bo held in Auckland on November 20; (2) asking whether the farmers in (lie. various districts would be willing to support an auction specially devoted to the salo of butter and eggs, and, if so, to instruct their delegates accordingly; and (3) calling attention to the fact that the Singer Machine Company had offered a valuable sewing machine (worth £14) as a champion prize for dairy butter, bringing the total value of prizes in this class up to £50. Mr. Allan "Bowler, one of the vice-presidents, was appointed a delegate to represent the society at the Auckland conference. With reference to suggested auction, the committee cordially approved of the idea, and thought the scope of. the auction should bo extended to include all kinds of farm produce, and Mr. Bowler was directed to lay that opinion before the conference. Mr. John Borrie announced that he intended to • offer a sewing machine as a prize for a class in needlework. The offer was accepted with thanks. Votes of thanks were unanimously passed to Messrs. Roe and Co., for their gift of timber to the society used in the erection of pens,' and to Messrs. Smardon Bros, for free cartage of same. • Jf