OTAGO AGRICULTURTL, AND PASTOBAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 7

OTAGO AGRICULTURTL, AND PASTOBAL SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held at the secretary's office on Saturday morning, and attended by Messrs Jam9S Smith (vice-president, in the chair), W. D. Stewart, W. H. Taggart, J. A. Stewart, W. Patrick, A. C. Stronach, M. Sinclair, A. IM'Farlane, O. "S. Reid, J. Shiel, J. W.ighfc, R Charters, A. Todd, and J. Duthie. Apologies were received fcona Messrs Thomas Bsjdone, J. Gow, R. Gawd, and W. Souter.

A considerable amount of correspondence v?aa received, including a letter from the Wellington Agricultural Association, forwarding a copy of resolutions passed by their C3mraittee in reference to only allowing exhibits pronounced free from hereditary disease by a veterinary surgeon to be placed before the judges, and that the association give a certificate that such entries i have passed examination. — After discussion, it was decided that the committee could not support the proposal, as at present a veterinarysurgeon is always in attendance to give infor- , mafcion and assist the judges if necessary, and that there would be a considerable amount'of delay if all animals entered were required to be examined before entering the ring. The Southland Association asked for a scale of points for judging butter and cheese. — The secretary was instructed to supply the information, and suggest that ifc would be advisable that each association fhould adopt the same standard in dairy produce. Mr W. Dr'Sutherland notified that he had distributed sugar beet seed throughout Otago, «nd asked the cosuoittoa to arrange to h&vegie

different roots analysed and exhibited at the forthcoming winter show. — It was decided to comply with Mr Sutherland's request, and to make arrangements to collect the roots from the different growers The Secretary reported that the Garrison Hall had been engaged for holding their annual winter show, and he read several applications applying for space — The Chairman regretted that owing to the limited space they could not accept all,the applications received, and moved— "That all the applications for space and not for competition be* referred to s'nb-'commilstee to deal with." — The motion was seconded by Mr A. M'Farlanb and carried. , On the motion of Mr M Sinclair a special vote of thanks wa<? accorded to Messrs D. M'Laren and P Pattullo for their trouble in judging tbe vavious 'farms entared for competitiou The secretary was instructed to have Sir John Bennet Laws's shield and Mes«ra John M 'Nairn and Son's aud Ninituo aud Blair's cups eugraved, and to procure all the gold and silver medals and mike the necessary arrangements to have them presented on the last day of the show. Mr James Shiel proposed that application be made 'to the Secretary of Agriculture at Wellington to arrange to have the fruit shown at the present conference exhibited at tbe winter show. — Seconded by Mr J. Wright and carried. In connection with the publication of the society's annual journal it was decided to appoint Mr Scoullar as editor, on terms suggested by the secretary. A sub-committee was appointed to arrange for short lectures on agricultural and dairying matters during show week, and it was resolved that the Geueral Committee should meet during the evenings to enable them to give more time to matters affecting the show arrangements. The nomination of judges for the different classes was then proceeded with.