THE OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2326, 29 September 1898, Page 7

THE OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held in the Board Room- of the Agricultural Hall on Saturday morning 1 ; present — Messrs A. Todd (president, in the chair), A. C. Stronach, I G. Roberts, R,. Campbell, H. V. Fulton, A. S. I Orbell, H. M. Driver, John Wright/ A." W. , Robin, James Smith, J. Shiel, M. Sinclair, J. Hazlett, "W. Charters, J. Gow, J. Oughton, . G. S. Reid, John Angus, W. H. Taggart, F. Oldham, H. Buckland, J. Duthie, J. A. Stewart, W. Blackie, and A. C. Begg. Apologies J .were received from Messrs J. Elliot, W. Souter, and R. Gawn. j A considerable amount of correspondence ' |sras received and dealt with by the committee. The SecrataT of the Dunedin Chamber of

Commerce wrote, that the letter of /the society of the 29th ult. had been considered, and he was instructed to reply that the Chamber was i quite willing to call a meeting of farmers, i agents, and grain buyers, with others in- ] terested, to discuss the resolutions re sales of produce. — It was decided to ask the Chamber , of Commerce to call a meeting of those in- j terested to discuss this question on Friday, 1 October 14-, if that date was convenient to their j members. I The Maniototo A. and P. Association wrote J entirely concurring with the efforts of the so- ■ ciety in their endeavour to get the harbour j dues on frozen meat reduced, and notifying that they had conveyed a copy of a resolution unanimously passed at their annual meeting to the Otago Harbour Board. — The secretary was instructed to acknowledge and thank the f'Fsoeiation for their support. The Secretary of the Agricultural department wrote that the resolution passed by the society re the cutting of Califomian thistles would receive attention when the bill was next under the consideration of the House. Messrs William Brooks and Co., Sydney, j forwarded entry forms of the Stud Register j and Herd Book, which they intend bringing out at the end of the present year. — It was decided that the form be laid on the table for the information of any breeders who may intend , registering their herd in the Australasian Stud Register. THE PEOGEAMMB COMMITTEE. The Programme Committee recommended that the schedule for last year's show be approved, subject to the following alterations : — That the regulations as to the housing and clothing of sheep be deleted ; that special prizes of £10 be awarded to the exhibitors I gaining the largest number of points in sheep, cattle, Clydesdale horses, and light horses ; that a section for English Leicesters be added, and that Romneys and Lincolns be iudged by a standard of points. In draught horses the class " Entire horse and progeny " be deleted, ( and that an extra class be added for the best j team of four horses most suitable for a plough ; team. In liejht horses a class was added for the best three horses most suitable for a tram or 'bus service, and the prize in the -jumping contest was increased to £5 first and £3 second in all classes. The committee also reported that they had received from several of the , Dvnedin. firms valuable special piizes for j corrpetition at the November shov ; 1 but, aa these were not complete, or allotted, they, decided to hold ove»* ILeiv report of tho special prizes until next meeting. On the motion of Mr A. C Stronach, the Programme Committee's report \va« adopted. THE MANTJKE TESTS. The sub-committee appointed to undertake : the question cf having experimental tests rf J manure reported that they had made arrangements to nave five tests conducted in Waikoxiaiti, Taieri, Tokomairiro, Waiwern, and Tuapeka districts, and that all manures ured, including-the soil, should be analysed, and ihat one lot shoxild be grown without manure as a comparison. The names of reliable farmers had been selected in the different districts, and they had all advised that they would be pleased to assist the committee in carrying out their tests. Instructions had been drawn out, and each farmer conducting a test will be supplied with a copy when the seed and manure are forwarded to him, po that all these tests • may be conducted strictly in the same manner. NOMINATION OF JUDGES. _ j The Chairman suggested that only nomina- > tions of judges bo received at this meeting. I and that to give members an opportunity of considering and selecting whom they nipy con- , sider most qualified for the position, voting papers be forwarded to each member of the committee, giving a complete list of the names ' of t! c gentlemen nominated to sot, as iudgo? in j the different sections, these voting papers to 1 be returned to the secretary within 10 days, j and marked in the order in which each member j wishes the selection made. — Tho proposal was ' hct-itily approved of by the meeting. ,:nc\ n-fnv _ 50 gentlemen were nominated to act as judges , in the different sections. I