PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4588, 17 February 1902, Page 6

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(By Our Special Reporter.) Saturday. The Palmerston North Rifles will parade at 6.30 p.m. on Monday instead or 7.30 p.m. The High School Commissioners consist of the Rev C. C. Harper and Messrs F. Piraui, M.H.R., IV. T. Wood, Barnicott, W. Rutherford, G. J. Scott'and G. Hirsch. Tho last draft of tho horses bought in Palmerston for the Ninth Contingent, forty in number, loft to-day for tilt) South. Thcro were an even lot, of a hardy and useful description. Tho officers and men of the Palmerston section are on Monday evening to say farewell to Lieutenant Bruce Beale, prior to his departure to take up his commission in tho Ninth Contingent. Some friends of Mr Beale’s also intend to make him a presentation at the same time. Among tho additions which are to bo made to tho show grounds of tho A. and P., Association aro two very necessary cattle-judging rings. They will bo erected at tho rear of the bull .stalls. No doubt the ground will bo levelled before tho rings aro erected. Tho absence of trees from the, show ground of tho local A. and P. Association has often been remarked upon. Their value both for shade and ornamental purposes is undoubted, and they would form at tho same time an excellent background for tho animated scene presented on a show day. Mr Stuckey (of Opaki, Wairarapa) has donated £5 to the association in order to provide some suitable trees. Tho rather delicate question of town v. country members of committees was briefly emphasised by a committeeman at the A. and P. Association’s meeting to-day. A leading country member was suggested as one to form a special committee, but that gentleman declined, on tho ground that ho could not spare tho time, whereat a country member living much nearer Palmerston, remarked, “If members outside Palmerston cannot attend sub-committee meetings they cannot blamo people for making tho statement that tho association is becoming a Palmerston concern.” Supporting his proposal, that the A. and P. Association should seek tho cooperation of the City of Wellington, Mr Hodder, at to-day’s meeting, referred to the effect of the special articles which appeared in tho “New Zealand Times” after tho last show of tho association. It was in speaking of the sympathy which the people of Wellington had lately shown in tho work of the association that Mr Hodder made his complimentary statement, as he attributed this to tho special articles in question. Ho thought that this syspathy would be extended if Wellington citizens were approached in a right and proper spirit. As business men they were fully aware that tho interests of Wellington City were identical with tho interests of tho West Coast. Tho association had a decided claim upon the City of Wellington, for it was really operating in the Wellington province, and this claim would bo strengthened if one or two influential Wellington citizens were elected to tho executive. The establishment of a citizens' of Wellington trophy, at something like 100 guineas, would bo tho means of creating great interest in the association among Wellington people. It ’Was not at all likely, Mr Hodder thought, that another association would bo started in Wellington. When supporting a suggestion to establish a £IOO prize for the best animal in a particular class, Mr M. Cohen supported Mr Hodder’s suggestion. Ho said that if sufficient inducement were forthcoming from Wellington people, they would have tho credit of founding a prize for bringing together all that was excellent in the live stock of tho colony. An important suggestion in connection with agricultural advancement has been made by Mr M. Cohen to tho A. and P. Association. It reads:—“As I think that it will bo necessary in tho future to maintain tho prestige of the association and also enlarge its functions as an exhibition of all that is excellent in live stock, I suggest that a special exhibition be founded every year alternatively of the several classes of stock of the greatest interest to this district, and that a prize of not less than £IOO be allocated for tho best animal in such class. For instance, supposing the first allocation be made for draught horses, I think that such a prize would provide an inducement as would bring together tho finest collection of draught horses the colony affords, and so on in the succeeding years with the most important breeds in cattle and sheep. An entrance fee of, say, not less than two guineas would go far towards providing tho prize-money/’ Supporting tho suggestion at the meeting of tho executive to-day, Mr Cohen impressed upon members the necessity of aiming at quality, even if the number of eptries was sacrificed. Their business should be to bring together the best that could be provided for public entertainment and education. His objection to a points prize was that tho man with capital was the most successful, while the man with a little money but most judgment was out of it, Mr Cohen pointed out the great educational value of having the finest animals in tho colony brought together, which such a prize would be successful in doing. A suggestion had been made to him that the prize should bo confined to animals bred in the colony. That was a matter he left to members of the committee, who wero better able to express an opinion upon it. Mr Abraham pointed out, in stating that the suggestion was worthy of consideration, that tho association’s good entries dated from tho time tho points prizes were established. He believed however, that the prize which Mr Cohen suggested would be productive of a great deal of good in bringing together the best animals. Imported animals he maintained, should be included in’ the competition. This latter remark evidently expressed the opinion of the committee.

A. AXE) P. ASSOCIATIOX. Tho monthly meeting of the executive of the Manawatu Lid West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association mas held to-day. The president, Mr ,T. O. Batchclar, presided, and there was a good attendance. The report of the hrr.ra.l Committee contained suggestions as to improved accommodation for stock, additions to nearly all pens, together with the erection of several fences and stands. The estimated cost of the improvements is £72 13s.

Mr Buchanan reported on behalf of the committee appointed to consider tho protest lodged by Nelson Broa. "i-i regard to tho sheep block tost at the last show. Tho committee found that a mistake had boon made through loose wording in tho catalogue, and recommended that special, first and second prizes should be awarded ,to Messrs Nelson Bros., as their exhibits warranted. Tho quality of the lambs was undoubted, and they should have been awarded first and second prizes on tho ground. Tho recommendations wero adopted, and special prizes, equal in value to the original, will be paid. Tho judging on tho ground, however, is not to bo interfered with, as tho mistake arose solely from tho ambiguity of tho conditions.

Tho question of assisting the National Dairy Association in tho holding of a winter show was referred to by the chairman, who stated that the subcommittee appointed to consider the matter had decided to postpone consideration of it till next Thursday, in order to see what tho Borough Council would do in the matter, it having been intimated by tho Mayor that he would urge upon the Council on Tuesday cvei»» ing the desirability of supporting tha proposal. Mr Pirani thought a resolution should bo passed affirming tho advisability of tho show being held at Palmerston. Personally, he did' not think they should incur any liability in tho matter, but they should offer to render all tho assistance they possibly could, as it would strengthen tho hands of those who were trying to organise tho show. Mr R. Stevens seconded the motion. Mr A. H. Russell considered that such a show was not within their province. It was, however, to the interest of tho association that it should be fostered. All assistance should bn given in furthering the dairying industry. Ho thought tho matter was one of indifference whether the show was held in Palmerston or not. It was, of course, to the interest of the citizens of Palmerston that it should be held in their town. The chairman' said that he was informed by several leading citizens that an energetic canvass would bo made in the town and everything done to prevent the show from passing Palmerston. Tho resolution, which appeared to fully express the feelings of the committee, was passed. Suggestions which had been made by members of tho association with tho object of improving the society’s annual show wero then taken. Consideration of the question of reverting to a two days’ show, suggested by Mr Stuckey, was left to tho incoming committee. It was decided that in the event of a ‘tie in points, the winner of the most first prizes should take the prize. Mr Hodder suggested : “That prior to next show a deputation from this association wait upon the citizens of Wellington and point out to them the advantages to bo gained by becoming members of tho association; also to ascertain what financial support would bo given towards instituting a trophy, to bo called the citizens of Wellington trophy, and tube given to whatever the committee may think fit.” The idea met with general favour and the president and Messrs Hodder and Cohen were appointed a deputation, with power to add to their number. It was decided to carry out tho idea at once. A second suggestion of Mr Hoddor’s, that one or two citizens of M ellington should be appointed to the committee, was 'dropped in favour of a proposition that a vice-president be appointed from Wellington. . With the object of securing better entries in tho produce and homojnc m- ■ try classes, Mr Barraud suggested that a sub-committee be appointed .0 sec that tho press wero with notices m regard to the .aiions classes and competitions found general favour and its adoption "or. So, oonoicteaturn of . number of them was adjourned to the next committee meeting.