ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 3

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

SOUTHERN DISTRICT COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Southern District Council of the Royal Agricultural Society was held in the Otago Fanners' Union's board room yesterday afternoon, Mr J. Preston presiding over the following delegates:—Messrs A. L. Adamson, A. S. Holms, D. Marshall (Southland), H. A. Tamblyn, H. Armitage (Mount Benger), E. Matheson (Strath Taieri), A. J. Blaikie (Winton), G. Ross, D. J. Ireland (Palmerston), J. E. Brunton (Otago Peninsula), J. Wither (Taieri), R. T. Kirk (Otago and Taieri), J. C. King, H. Holtate (Clutha and Matau), and J. A. Idwards (Gore). Annual Report The annual report stated that during the year the Southern District Council held two meetings, one at Dunedin on June 9, 1938, and one at Gore on May 19, 1939. To both these meetings representatives of all A. and P. Associations in the Southern District were invited. Both meetings were very representative, as in addition to the majority of members of the Southern District Council, the following A. and P. Associations, were represented:— Southland, Gore, Wyndham. Winton, Kelso, Clutha and Matau, Middlemarch, Mount Benger, Lake County, Otago Peninsula, Otago, Palmerston and Waihemo and North Otago. A number of matters of interest were brought forward by the various A. and P. Associations, and the opportunity was taken of explaining the reasons for various decisions arrived at by the Dominion Conference or Council. . " .. ■ Only minor clashing occurred in the apportionment of show dates, and the dates were approved of without any friction arising. It was agreed to make a special drive with a view to securing the affiliation of all associations in the southern district, and as a result of this drive five other associations had agreed to affiliate, namely Clutha, Kelso, Peninsula, Mount Benger, Taieri and StrathTaieri. The only associations in the southern district which had not yet affiliated were:—Clutha Valley, Maniototo, Omakau. Owaka. Tokomalriro and Upper Clutha. There was every possibility of some of these affiliating in the near future. Side-show regulations were still the subject of discussion between the Dominion Executive and the Police Department, but a statement of the position will be forthcoming at the next Dominion conference. It was agreed that the judging of sheep in rings or in line should be tried out at several of the metropolitan shows in the southern district with a view to its general adoption. In the meantime, it was felt impracticable to put this into effect at smaller shows. Arrangements were in train for a successful Royal Show at Invercargill on December 12, 13 and 14 next. Most of the associations in the southern district had promised to co-operate with Southland with a view to ensuring the maximum support. There was a suggestion on foot that a special Centennial Royal Show be held at Palmerston North during February or March, 1940. Delegates expressed concern at this as it was felt that it would seriously affect northern entries for the Southland Royal Show. The accounts for the year ended April 30, 1939. show a credit balance of £SB 14s 2d.

The adoption of the report was moved by the chairman who said that the society had been successful in building up its funds, and it would probably consider giving some assistance to the Southland A. and P. Society in the matter of the forthcoming Royal Show. The society was doing good work in encouraging more uniform methods of showing, stock, and it also encouraged a healthy spirit of competition! ' *.' The adoption of the report was seconded by Mr Adamson and carried, 'and Mr Kirk reported that the Taieri A. and P. Society was contemplating affiliating with the' society. Railage on Stud Sheep .--;. The secretary (Mr A. C. Cameron) stated that as the result of a complaint made recently by Mr Holms concerning the high cost of railage of stud sheep, he had investigated the position. The Railways Department reported that the railage rates were increased by 10 per cent, on December 10, 1938, but otherwise no change had been made. The rates were exactly the same as for ordinary flock sheep, except that in the case of stud sheep free return railage was given to any sheep returned within three months. The present rates were as follows:—In truck lots—so miles £2 5s 2d, 100 miles £3 15s 3d; in small lots (with half truck minimum) —50 miles £1 2s 7d. 100 miles £1 17s 8d: if crated (under 3cwt)—so miles 8s od, 100 miles 13s 2d; if crated (over 3cwt)—so miles 12s 4d, 100 miles 19s 4d; if not crated—l sheep, 50 miles 14s 7d, 100 miles £1 8s Ud; each additional sheep. 50 miles 2s o}d, 100 miles 4s ljd. These rates were all plus 10 per cent. He had not obtained the actual freight rates on cattle and brood mares, but except for the additional 10 per cent, no alteration had been made, and in the case of these, free railage was given if they were returned within five months. . Mr Holms said that in his opinion the charges for the carriage of stud stock were exorbitant, especially over long distances. The lower scale operated only up to certain distances, and increased distances meant a high scale of charges. He had sent seven rams from Southland to Rangiora, and the charge had been over £lO. A high-class industry was being penalised, and he contended that there should be a special cheap rate for the carriage of stud stock over long distances.

It was decided that the following remit should be forwarded to the Dominion' Executive:—" That the Government be approached to reduce the railage on stud stock, particularly over a distance." 1939-1940 Show Dates

The following show dates were approved:— Kelso.—November 15 (tentative). Taieri.—November 18. North Otago.—November 17 or 18 (tentative). Otago.—Not yet decided. Clutha and Matau.—November 24 or 25. Winton.—November 25. Gore.—December 5 and 6. , Wyndham.—December 9. Owaka Not yet decided. Southland.—December 12. 13 and 14. Otago Peninsula.—December 16. Waitati.—January 13 (tentative). Waikouaiti.—January 20 (tentative). Palmerston and Waihemo.—January 28 (tentative). Lake County.—March. Mount Benger.—March. Middlemarch.—Easter Monday. Upper Clutha.—March. Election of Members The retiring members of the council, Messrs James Begg (Dunedin), A. M. Weir (Menzies Ferry), R, T. Kirk (Mosgiel) and J. A. Edwards (Otike-l-ama), were re-elected, and Mr J. Hellyer, the acting president of the Otago A. and P. Association, was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr S. Bowman It was decided to write to Mr Bowman expressing appreciation of his work for the society, and expressing regret that ill-health had made it necessary for him to resign from the council. The following delegates to the Dominion Council were elected:— Messrs J. A. Edwards, G. Ross, A. S. Holms. A. L. Adamson and A. M. Weir. At a subsequent meeting of the council Mr J. A. Edwards (Otikerama) was appointed chairman for the ensuing year.