PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL HALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2157, 27 June 1895, Page 8

PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL HALL.

The Committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society have recently had under consideration a project for the erection of an agricultural h»H, to be used for their winter show and for other shows, exhibition*, meeting*, &c, and have now get their scheme into defli ito shape. Believing it -tall prove of benefit to important industries, they have addressed the following letter bo the Premier, ■ in the hope of obfcaiuiug a Government "subsidy towards tho erect iod of the building :— Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, Dunedin, VOth June 1895. Hon Richard J. Seildon," Premier, Wellington. • Sir,— We have the honour, on behalf of the executive and m<m\bera of the Otago Agricultural ana Pastoral Society, to apply to you for a subsidy to watch the erection of an agricultural hall. • ' We regret vary much that the ecrioug illness of youi colleagup, tho Hon. J. M'Kcnzie, Minister for Agriculture, prevented in fiom personally interviewing him and explaining and discussing the matter. The hill would be about 148 ft square, and would cost clo.w oa £1009, and would be used for holding our annual winter show, dog and poultry ihows, horticultural shows, industrial exhibitions, public meetings, lejtii'cs, farmers' market and exchange, and provision will also be made for a drill shed for the Ot»go Hussars. The eocie'.y have during the last few year 3 largely ex ten del their operations, and now hold an annual summer and winter show, hocae parities, ram aud ewe fairs, and also conduct manure t^sts, farm competitions, and several other matters cf intorest to our farmers ; and it is also iatended to obtain tho services of a qualified analyst to woik under then- auspices, an.i should you &rant us the desired assistance to erect the hall, the society would be able to have their owa ofii-.ps and committee rooms en the premises, apd room* would be required for giving lectures, <fee., and thes'j would be further utilised by members and farmers as a readiujj room and library where they would obtain any particulars on agricultural aud dairying matters or reference that they may require. During our laat winter show, extending over three days, it cojt the society £69 lls GM for rent and lighting, nni it is absolutely ucrcssaiy that provision be made for larger and better arconiraoi dation, as the Cirrison Hall is not at xll suitable for holding each a large chow, De'tis much too small to ■pioprrly display all exhibits, and the arrangements for receiving and delivering are v6ry unsuitable and inconvenient to both the society aud exhibitors, without taking into consideration the exeeufive renl3 that wo are asked tj pay, and the limited time we arc allowtd to remove tho exhibits. Since the society received possession of the piece of land at Ocaan Beach, grauted by the GoveJ^ ment 11 year.) ago, £&% has been expended on buildings, shods, fences, and improvements, "and during the present year £190 has been speut on top-drc-ssing, plantiug trees and marram grass on the paudh'lla adjoining, and sundry necessary improvement*, and if you take into consideration tlut ovjr £700 i«r year is paid in piizcs to encourage competition and improve the breeding of stock, iil-so the dairying expansion, we think you will admit that wo have been well sujjporfced by our ra.mbjra aud tho business people generally. Arrangements have been made (subject to your, assistanct) with the Ofcjigo Harbour Bjard, who recjgntss the objects of our tociely, fo grant us a lease for a term of 14 or 21 yeaw, of six sections f/onsiderably over half an acre) on exceptionably reasonable terms. ' We would respectfully urge your compliance with our request to grant us a pound for pound sub'idy up to jCUOO, which amount the society guarantee Trusting y;u will give the whole matter your favourable consideration, believing it to be i national benefit, aud that the position of our 3ociety as benefactors to the agricultural and pastoral and dairying interests ontitles us to the misUnce we now ank.— We have, &c, Pat. Pattuixo, President. James Smith, Vice-president. Joux Angus, Treasurer. E». F i'truii:, Seeictary. ,