TAIERI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20318, 28 January 1928, Page 17

TAIERI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SOCIAL GATHERING. What has now become a recognised annual event with the Taieri Agricultural Society is the social at which the cups and trophies won at the summer show are presented Surrounding this presentation on Th .rsday evening was an excellent programme of songs, music, and appropriate toasts. The attendance was very good, Mr Gordon Duthie (president) was in the chair, and welcomed the large audience. The 1927 show had been very successful financially. This happy state ot affairs was due to the efforts of the committee and especially of the secretary. He specially thanked the exhibitors, and referred to the visit of the Ganterbuij farmers. The society was grateful to those who had brought forward their stock on that occasion for exhibition to the visitors. Mr and Mrs Blair had shown commendable hospitality, and on behalf of the committee he thanked them. He counselled the incoming committee to conserve its credit as much as possible and not take up too extensive a programme of improvements to buildings, etc. It would, in his opinion, be advisable to separate trophies for most points in each class, instead of the aggregate in classes as at present. The loyal toast was the first on the programme, and then followed the toast of “ The Taieri Agricultural Society,' which was in the capable bauds of Mr J. W. Blair who traced the progress of agriculture from early times to the present day. It was only during the last two centuries that the crudest methods had been abandoned, and since the seventeenth century mechanical devices and the special manuring of the soil had been employed. The formation of agricultural societies, which had their foundation in Great Britain, had been the means ot great improvement in stock —cattle, sheep, and horses. The men who started the Taieri Agricultural Society almost 70 years ago had laid the foundation in such a way that the society was sure to prosper. Ups and downs had been experienced, but at present the society was in a flourishing state, thanks to the men—the sons of worthy fathers—who now carried out the duties of the office-bearers of the society, and to the ladies who supported their efforts. The Taieri was about the oldest society in New Zealand, and Taieri stock —improved through competition at the earlier shows and since—had now spread all over the Dominion. The presentation of prizes followed, this duty being carried out by the chairman as follows: — Cup, for most in cattle, horses, and sheep—Mr John Young. Cup, for best draught female —Mr John Young. Cup, for best yearling filly, bred by exhibitor—Mr A. Bathgate. Cup, for most points in light horse sections —Miss E. Greenslade and J. and R. Patrick (equal). Cup, for most points in dairy cattle— Mr George T. Bathgate. Cup, for best crossbred cow or heifer showing best milking qualities—Mr George T. Bathgate. Case of spoons, for most points in Jersey cattle —Mr A. Walker. Cup, for most points in sheep—Mr John Miller. Case of stainless cutlery, for most points m open class cookery—Mrs M. Brown. Vase, for most points in amateur cookery—Mrs D. Gray. The remaining toasts were: —“The Prize-winners,” proposed by Mr Charles Findlay and responded to by Messrs John Young, George Bathgate, A. Walker, and A. Bathgate; “ The Exhibitors,” by Mr J. P. Walls, and replied to by Mr John Campbell; “The President, Vice-presi-dent, and Committee,” by Mr Arthur Johnson, and replied to by Mr Duthie and Mr R. T. Kirk; “The Ladies,” by Mr Logan, and responded to by Mr Eric Black; “The Press,” by Mr A. Walker, and replied to by Mr J, P. Walls; and “The Secretary,” replied to by Mr John Williamson. The proposer of the lastmentioned toast gave the bulk of the credit of the success of the society to that officer and his wife. The gathering gave hearty cheers for both Mr and Mrs Williamson. Mr R. Kirk created some amusement by the recitation of a poem which chronicled the proceedings of the committee at business meetings prior to the show, especially the meeting at which it was decided to exclude “ refreshments ” from the luncheon room. Those contributing to the programme of the evening were the Logan Family Orchestra, Mrs Fowler, Mrs Evans, and Misses A. Blair and Findlay, Messrs Miller, Gordon Gibson, C. F. Evans, and J. P. Walls. These ladies and gentlemen were honuored by a toast, “ The Performers.” in acknowledgment of their services. A verse of “Auld Lang Syne ” closed a most enjoyable social.