OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10572, 20 January 1896, Page 3

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Otßgo Agricultural and Pastoral Society was hold at the sr-cretary's qfHOe on Saturday, aud attended by Messrs James Smith jun , vicepresident (in the chair), Thomas Brydone, CS. Reid, James Gow,'William Patrick, J. A. Stewart, W. H. Tnggrsrt, K-VCampbiH, A. C. Strouacb. John Angus, Andrew Todd. James Duthie, Robert Giirno, and the Hon. T. Fergus. Apologies were received for the abs.nce of Me3»rs M. Sinclair, W. D. Stewart, and John WrigLt. ' ■ ' ■■-•-.■ , Before proceeding wi .h the ordinary business tbe Chaiiiman wifhed to explain r.he alssnce of Mr John Roberts, the president. They wore all aware that Mr Roberts had returned from the old country last week, but, he (the chairman) regretted, in very bad health. However, it was fully c-rpt'ctfd that after a few weeks' rest Mr Roberts would be x-ble to ba about again to take his place as chairman.■•■ The. cbaii-mau also referred to the sudden death of Mr K. B. Fergncou, and spoke rat'si-nie' length on the valuable services rendered by tbo deceased gentleman in connection with the society. He moved that tbe foljowipg resolution ba recorded on the niihuUs, and that a copy of tha same be forwarded--to Mivi Ferguson : — "That this commi'tte-deplore the euriden death of Mr K. B. Ferguson, and respectfully tender their sincere sympathy with Mrs Ferguson and family in their sad bereavement; that thc-y also place on record their deep appreciation of the valuable services rendered by deceased in agricultural matters and to tbis society in particular, he being one of its largeit exhibitors and alsr> an energetic member of committee for years." Tbe motion was seconded by Mr Thomas BnvDONE and carried unanimously. COT-K-SPONDENCE. After disposing of a large amount of correspondence, A letter was read from Mr George Todd tendering his resignation as member of committee, as hs had scfcyt-ed a position which necessitated his removing from Duuedin.—Mr James (Sow -regretted very much that the society was lpting the services of Mr Todd, who was a most energetic member, and moved— " That Mr Todd's ivnigpation be received and accepted with regret, and that a record be m&de on the minutes of thi* valuable assistance rendered by him during tbe many years he has been associated with lho society, and congratulating him on hia present appointment, and wishing him every success in his new sphere."—The motion wa3 seconded' by Mr James Dutiiie, aud'tho secretary was instructed to forward a cop. of same to'Mr Todd. A letter was received from the Secretary of the" Royal Agricultural Society of England notifying the election of the society as a corporate member of their council, and forwarding a ocpy of their Agricultural Journal and also rules and regulations. Messrs Gow, Charters, and Gawn wero appointed a sub-committee to arraugfe for a paddock for holding the annual reaper and binder contest. It was pointed out that as this trial is open to farmers only, it is anticipated that a large number of eutri&u will be received, and it would bo necestary to procure a fairly siz.d field for the competition. Three judges were nominated, and the secretary was instructed to communicate with them asking their consent to act.

GKNEBAL. The date for holding the annual ram and ewe fair was discussed, and the secretary was instructed to ascertain the dates of the Christchurch and Oamaru fairs, and fix the Dunedin one immediately aftervrards— if possible, a week earlier than last year. It was decided that owipg to the wholesUo destruction of the marram grass planted on the Sandhills, a deputation wait on hie Worship the Mayor and suggest that a few residents who live in the vicinity of the park should be appointed honorary rangers and thus enable tbem to arrest anyone found destroying the gras3. ' Messrs W. Cuningham Smith and William Souter were unanimously elected on the committee to fill the vacapoies caused by the , resignation of Mr George Todd and the death of Mr K. B. Ferguson. THE PBOFOSEO AQRICULTUKAI, HALL. The Chaibman said the next business was the advisability of erecting a suitable ball for the purpose of holding their annual winter show. He would move—"That the Hon. T. Fergus now take tbe chair."—This was seconded by Mr Thomas Brtdone and carried. The following gentlemen were also present :— Messrs H. Gourley, J. H. Sowell, W. S. B»r----nard, and Allan Holmes. Hon. T. Fergus explained at sqme lerrg.h what bad been already done in the matter, and pointed out the absolute necessity of a suitable building being obtained to hold the exhibits at tbe winter: show. Ho would remind members that this matter had boen discussed for some months, and tho society had fully expected that tbe Government would have given them somo little assistance. However, nothing conld be done last pession, and a few gentlemen wbo were anxious that such a building ehould be erected had met a few weeks ago and decided that a deputation should wait on the Otago Harbour Board and obtain same information as regards the site. He was pleased to be able to inform those cresent that the

board, through the chairman (Mr H. Gourley), I had agreed to grant them a 14 years' lease of six stntions in Crawford street on most reason- ) able torms, and he had much pleasure in cpn- • veying to Mr Gourley the thanks of the society I for the trouble and assistance that he had given j in connection with tho matter. , j A preliminary prospectus which had been drawn up Was read by the secretary. This j showed that it is intended to raise tho necessary amount by issuing debentures of £10 eaoh, ! redeemablo .ou giving written notice to the! holder. '■ I Mr Holmes explained the position and i recommended that debentures ba issued in I preference to shares, as there would be less difficulty in inserting a clause in the article providing for the payment of debentures "on cluo notice beiug givon. Tho Chaihman (Mr Fergu.) said that an estimate hud been obtained as to the cost of the building, but nothing definite could be done until such time as the committee decided on the nature and size of the building. He had spoken to ;geveral gentlemen who were quite prepared to lend their assistance ahd take up the debentures, and be did uot consider thenwould be the slighteit difficulty in getting the necessary amount subscribed. He moved— " That an agricultural hah be erected on the site offered by tho Otago Harbour Board, and tbat the necessary amount be raised by issuing debentures as per terms contained in the prospectus and proposals now before tbe meeting." The motion was seconded by Mr T. Brtdonf, and carried unanimously. Mr Bevdone pointed out that if the building was going to be erected in time for the next winter show, it was necessary that it should be pushed on at once. He moved—" That the following gentlemen be appointed a committee to elect provisional directors, draw up a prospectus as suggested by the meeting, and report to a full meeting in the course of a week's time :—Hon. T. Fergus, Messrs J. H. Jowibt, James Smith jun., H. Gourley, A, M'Farlane, W. Patrick, and the mover." This wan seconded by Mr Jamks Smith and carried unanimously. The ccmiuittee appointed decided to meet again on Tuesday first, and we understand that a considerable portion.of the required sum was promised before the members left tbe room, one gentleman alone offering to take £500 worth of debentures.

" What a funny little man you are'! •* These were the now historic words used by Lord Alfred Douglas in reply to his father, the Marquis of Queensberry. Ss much was elicited by the recent sensational trial of Oicar Wilde. Tho i*ame remarkable words are found in that remarkable book, " The Green Carnation," and in this case are used by Lord Reggie Hastings. Now, it is rather an open question as to whether Lord Douglas quoted the words of tbo novelist, or whether the latter utilifed the reply made to the Marquis by his prodigal son. That the father folly de'orved such an epithet is,clearly shown by the fr»ct that hs cho*e to make his own cigarettes, whon lie could obtain Indian Chiefs at eiiperrce a packet.