NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1269, 1 May 1880, Page 2

NORTH OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the of the North Qtago Agricultural and Pastora} Association was held this afternoon, at the Mechanics' Institute, Some delay

took place owing to the difficulty experienced in obtaining a quorum', bat eventually the required twenty members .were seen red, and the business was proceeded with. The attendance was afterwards largely increased. The chair was occupied' by Mr. T. Henderson, the Vice-President. The minutes of the last annua] meeting were read and confirmed.

The Secretary then read the following annual report:— Your Committee, in submitting the annual report of the proceedings of the Association for the past year, have pleasure in stating that, in so far as promoting its main objects, a considerable degree of success has been attained, but have to add with regret that the revenue of the Association shows a decrease from previous years. The annual parade of entire horses was held on the Show Ground on October 3, 1879. Although the number of horses exhibited was small, the general quality of the draught horses was superior to that of former exhibitions. There were 15 entries of draught, 3 of thoroughbred, and 2of carriage horses. Your Committee are of opinion that a larger and better show of stallions would be witnessed at the parade in October if a valuable bonus was offered for the best horse to travel in the district during the season. The subject is worthy of your consideration, and, if instructed, the succeeding Committee would give effect to your recommendation.

The annual show of the Association was held on November 20th and 21st, 1879, and, despite the general depression of business, was attended with success, the total number of entries (inclusive of those for private prizes) showing a decrease of only 44. The falling off in entries was mainly in the ©lasses of horses and dairy produce, while there was a marked increase in those of cattle and sheep. The entries were as follow :—Horses, 188 ; cattle, 173; sheep, 195 ; pigs, 1; poultry, 51; dairy produce, 18.1; cured meats, 15; implements, 60; buggies and harness, 17 ; flour and bread, 10 ; grain, 50 ; seeds, 46 ; dogs, 37 ; total, 1024. The show of grain both by growers and dealers was most excellent in quality, and excited the admiration of visitors from other parts of the Colony, The arrangements for the conduct of the show were generally good, but it is becoming more manifest every year that the area of the show ground is too small for an effective or satisfactory display of the exhibits. The attendance of visitors from the adjoining districts and other parts of the Colony was large, indicating that the show at Oamaru is considered of more than local importance. It is to be hoped that its management in future will be such as to promote a widely extended sphere of usefulness and attraction.

As was to be expected the demand for the privileges of the gates, booths, etc., was dull, and in consequence the gates were retained by your Committee. In the amount of subscriptions there is a decrease of L 37. The subscriptions received to 31st March being Lllß as against L 155 at the same period last year. There were at that time some outstanding subscriptions which are estimated at L3O, whereas last year at the same period there was about L6o—a sum actually realised. The actual total decrease may therefore be set down at L 67. The list of Members of the Association comprises therefore only about 148 names, a number which ought to be greatly increased, and your Committee desire to urge upon the farmers and others in the district the desirability of supporting the Association in its important work by becoming subscribers to its funds and exhibitors at its shows.

The trial of Reapers and Binders was held on the Bth February last to decide the comparative merits of the three machines entered for the show in November. There were only two competed, the first prize was awarded to the M'Cormick, and the second prize to the Gammon and Deering. On that occasion your Committee offered a Special Prize of L 5 5s to the best machine, whether using wire or string, when there were three competitors, the prize, depided by ballot, going to the Deering String Binder, The accounts of the Hon. Treasurer and the books of the Association have been duly audited by the Auditors, Messrs. F. Dunlop and D. S. Montagu. A credit balance of L 212 13s lid is shown at the end of the financial year, viz., 31st March, 1880. There is at present lodged in the Bank on deposit LIOO, bearing interest at (3 per cent. From the statement of assets and liabilities attached to the balance-sheet it will be observed that the total available balance is L 145 6s of the Association, including land and plant, is L 5545 6s 4-|d, The total value of the prizes awarded was L 549 8s 9d, the number of prizetakers being 81. The largest amount awarded to one exhibitor was L 65, and the lowest 12s 6d, the average being LG 8s 3d. Your Committee think it necessary to indicate to their successors that the utmost economy, consistent with maintaining the prestige of the Association, will be required in tfye futupe in thip disposal of its funds. In this direction a considerable saving may be effected by a thorough revision of the pri?e?list, both as regards the numbers and amount of prizes, and the present system of awarding cups to the largest prize-takers. Your Committee desire to record their thanks to the judges who acted at the show, some of whom came from considerable distances { and also to the (ionors °f private prizes. Thp thinks of the Association are also diie to the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Ronayne, and to the Auditors, Messrs. Dunlop .and Montagu, Your Committee have to recommend to their successors the expediency of considering the whole subject of private prizes, with regard to the charging of double entries, &c.

Ijfi fwrthef action has beep tyken with reference to tlie establishment of a National Association, but it is hoped that the object will receive the attention it merits when the circumstances of the Colony are more favorable for its successful inauguration. ¥our Oomptfttee, in ponpludjng ? dpsire to express a hope that the Nqrth Qtago Agricultural and Pastoral Association will not flag in its efforts to develop the prosperity and improvement of the agricultural and pastoral industries of the district, inasmuch as these are the main factors in promoting the welfare of the general community. For the Committee. J. Church, Secretary. On the motion of Mr. N. Fleming, | seconded by Mr. J. M|tchpll, tfye report was adopted. The Treasurer (Mr. Ronayne) then read the following

We have examined the books of the Association, consisting of cash-book, journal, and ledger, with the vouchers, and find the same to be correct. We also certify to the Bank balance, and to the deposit in the Bank.

F. W. DUNLOP ) Aur i itora D. S. Montagu \ Audltors - On the motion of Mr. J. Falconer, seconded by Mr. A. Kerr, the balance sheet was adopted as read. The mover in proposing the motion spoke of the necessity under the present depressed state of the Colony for practicing economy. Mr. Smytnies, before proceeding with the election of office-bearers, desired to have permission to move his series of resolutions, of which he had given notice. He said those resolutions were likely to affect in some measure the duties of members of Committee, and he thought it would be better they should know whal the duties would be before being eleptec^,

Some discussion took place $s tq whether or not the resolutions could be brought on before the election of office* bearers had been concluded, ft was eventually decided that the elections must be prooeeded with before any other busi* ness could be taken.

Mr. Connell proposed that Mr. Hedley be elected President.

Mr. Hedley deolined, and proposed Mr. James Holmes for election to the office, saying that that gentleman had formerly been an active member of the Society, and had just returned to the district. At a time when the society was in debt Mr Holmes had worked hard' to extricatq it from its difficulties, aqc| he ha 4 no doubt that hp would make a really good President, Mr, Aiken head seconded the motion, which was carried.

On the motion of Mr. N. Fleming, seconded by Mr. D. M'Gregor, Mr. W. Gardiner was elected Vice-President.

Mr. W. H. Ronayne was, on tha motion of Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr, Jl, Duncan, re-elected Hon. Treasurer, Messrs. F. Qutilop and B. S, Montagu were re-eleoted auditors. The election of Committee was then proceeded with, resulting in the election of the following :—Messrs. A. Hedley. P, Orr, N. Fleming, E. Menlove, R. M'Auley, T. Henderson, J. Qpmmell, 0- Bowie, M. Morton, T- ¥• Duncan, ,f. Donaldson, A. Aikenhead, C. Todd, H. Connell, W, Robertson, H. Little, D. M'Gregor, A. Thomson, D. Sutherland, J. M'Lean, T. Stevenson, J. Jack, J. Falconer, and J. Mitchell.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Auditors for the last year, to the Secre: tary, and the Hon. aftd meeting theft tpr^inatpfl.

Balance Sheet, Maech 31, 1S80. receipts. To balance op Jwnd, 31 1879 £134 15 l Subscriptions, 1878 64 10 0 Do. 1879 118 5 0 Entry money, 1879 289 17 a Gate money, 1879 260 0 0 Booth money, 1879 64 9 3 Entry private prizes 10 2 6 Private prizes 6 0 0 Rents from Ground, 1878.. 20 0 0 go. 187?.. 26 0 0 Prize money returned " 3 5 0 Derby entries, 1882 Interest on deposit 5 10 0 10 10 0 Walking show entries, catalogues, and sundries ... 23 10 2 Deposit withdrawn 200 0 0 Cheques outstanding 31 17 6 Deposit in bank ... ... *99 0 0 £1377 12 0

EXPENDITURE. £2 8 By outstanding cheque P. Orr 0 Express, caba, &c., 1879 ... 6 18 6 Postages, telegrams, &c, 1878 10 14 6 Do. 1879 15 0 Auditors, 1878 4 4 0 Jients, 1879 2 14 0 Rates, 1879 1 0 0 Stationery, &c., 1878 4 14 6 Do. 1S79_ ... 1 10 3 Nails, gas tar, &c., 1879 ... 2 15 8 Ribbon, &c., 1879 2 5 7 Band, 1879 30 0 0 Bellman, 1879 3 0 0 Interest, 1879 0 4 4 Donation to Widow M'Kenzie, 1879 20 0 0 Advertising and printing, 106 C 1879 ; 6 Luncheon account, 1879 ... 67 6 6 Prizes in cash, 1878 125 18 0 Do. 1879 182 5 O Private prizes, 187S 10 10 0 Timber account, 1879 19 8 9 Salaries, 1S78 45 0 O Do. 1879 63 15 O Judges' expenses, 1879 48 0 0 Do. 1875 ... 4 4 0 Engraving account, 1878 ... 21 19 11 Do. 1879 ... 0 5 1 Cups account, 1879 229 0 0 Labor Account, 1879 58 5 0 Deposit in bank Balance in bank 100 0 0 211 13 4 „ in hand Secretary... 1 0 7 £1377 12 0 Assets. By va'ue of 6 acres freehold land in Wharf and Arun streets, say 3000 0 O Sheds and plant, say 400 0 O Deposit fixed 12 months 100 0 bank O Balance in bank and in hand of Secretary 212 13 11 Subscriptions to receive, say 30 0 0 40 silver medals at 26s 52 O 0 35 bronze medals at 8s 6d... 14 17 6 Cups in hand 28 7 0 Catalogues money, and en10 2 6 try money to receive ... £3848 0 11 Liabilities. To outstanding cheques £31 17 6 Unpaid prizes, 1878 34 5 0 Do. 1879 65 0 0 Medal account, Hardware Company 90 15 0 Engraving of cups and 44 11 14 medals ... Salaries 20 0 0 Sundry accounts 16 5 11 Balance available 145 6 4* Do. on property and 3400 0 plant 0 Total to credit of Association ... ... ...£3848 0 11