OTAGO AGRICULTURAL END PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10900, 6 September 1897, Page 4

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL END PASTORAL SOCIETY.

A maeting of the Committee of the Otngo Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held in the board room on Saturday morning; present—Mr A. Todd (vice-president, in the chair), and Messrs J. Smith, J. Allan, F. Oldhara, C. S. Reid, A. M'Farlane, W. Charters, J. Dutbie, J. Gow, A. C. Stronsch, H. Driver, H. V. Fulton, W. H. Tagg&rt, J. Wright, J. A. Stewart, W. Patrick, R. Gawn, A. Douglas, and R. Charters. Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs J. Shiel (president), T. Brydone, John Angus, G.Roberts, A. C. Begg, and J. Elliott (Bdiddlemarch).

Messrs R. Campbell aud Sons wrote stating that they intended subscribing annually tbe sum of .five guineas to the »oci«ty.—The Secretary was iussructed to write Messrs Campbell and Sons and tiiank them for tueir support.

Mr R. M. Turiibull (Linnburn station) made a suggestion as to eneoutagieg tha exhibition of merino sheep at the summer show.—On the motion of Mr J. Gow, the letter was referred to the Programme Committee for consideration.

Tae copy of the Otago Central Railway League's petition to PArliasicnt was laid on the table.

Financs, Grounds, and Programme Committses were appointed for the ensuing year.

On a vote being taken it was decided to only have one judge for each class in the different sections with tbe exception of draughts, town carriers, carriage and hackney horses, for which it was agreed to have two. The nomination of judges for the different classes was then proceeded with.

Mr A. M'FAELAKi; considered that that was an opportune time to consider tha advisability of having the judging done by points, and moved —"That the committee take ißto.consideration the adoption, of standard p'ointe for each section." He pointed oat that the society, from Mr J. B. MacEwan's suggestion, had already adopted a standard of points for cheese and butter, which not only gave entire satisfaction but was also of great advantage to exhibitors from au educational point of view ; and if the system was so succe3sf al in one class of exhibits he saw no reason why it should jjot be adopted generally.—Several members spoke on the.subject and seated that iv many cases judges accepted a standard of tbeir own.—The Chairman expressed his opinion chat this question opened up a wide field for discussion, and considered th»t, in justice to the subject and in fairness to the committee, the mover should have given notice of auoh a motion, ao that all the committee could havo been notified.—Mr M'Farlane accepted the chairman's suggestion, and gave notice that he would propose th» following motion at next meeting :—" That the committee take iuto consideration the advisability of having ail judging oE stock at the society's show awarded by points, and that a special committee be appointed to obtain all the necessary information and adopt*-a standard for each section."

Mr James Smith also gave notice that he would movs at the ntsti' meeting—" Thai all dairy produce classes be deleted from the summer catalogue, and that these classes be specially encouraged in the winter show schedule."