OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 17

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held in the Agricultural Hall -v Board Room on Saturday, and .attended by Mr H. V. Fulton (president, in the chair), Messrs H. Buckland, A. S. Orbell, James Gow, W. Souter, A. C. Begg, John Angus, James Hazlett, W. Charters, J. C. Gow, James Ross, J. W. Blair, A. Johnson, W. Blackie, D. Andrews, A. Todd, H. M. Driver, R. Charters, Geo. ''Roberts, A. Douglas, R. Campbell, R. Charters, and James Duthie. Apologies were received from Messrs P. Pattullo, 'C. S. Reid, and John Elliott. On the motion of Mr Angus, accounts amounting to £1437 0s Id were passed for payment. A considerable amount of correspondence was received and dealt with by the committee. *

Mr "Robert Logan, Kokonga, wrote notifying the results of the 21b of swede turnips forwarded for test purposes. He advised that the turnips grown from the seed supplied, though small, were of splendid shape. — The letter was received and results noted.

Mr James Ross, Kartigi, wrote' making several suggestions in connection with the forthcoming show. It was decided to refer the letter to the Programme Committee for their consideration. Mr Campbell, Otekaike, wrote offering a prize of five guineas for the best pen of five merino ewes, to be competed for at the forthcoming show. On the motion of Mr Douglas, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Campbell for his generosity, and the letter Avas referred to the Programme Committee. The Secretary of the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club wrote asking for a copy of the rules and regulations of the society. The secretary was instructed to supply the necessary information. Mr A. Bathgate, hon. secretary Dunedin and Suburban Reserve Society, wrote thanking the committee for their cheque of 10 guineas, to be expended in planting trees at Tahuna Park. Mr Bathgate made several suggestions in reference to the spending of this money to the best advantage, and it was decided that the Grounds Committee should confer with Mr Bathgate on the subject. Mr J. A. Millar, M.H.R., and the Han. D. Pinkerton wired in reference to the society's bill now under consideration in the House, and advising that they anticipated there will be no difficulty in getting it passed- this session. It was decided to record a vote of thanks to Messrs Millar and Pinkerton and other members for their generous assistance in connection with getting this bill passed this session. Mr J. Bayne, director of Lincoln College, wrote forwarding report of experiments on last season's grain crops, etc., which was laid on the table for information of the members. It was decided that the summer show be fixed for the 29th and 30th November.

Mr Robert Gawn, of Mosgiel, wrote tendering his resignation as a member of the committee, and stating that owing to illhealth he was unable to give the necessary attention to the society's business. — It was ■unanimously decided to accept Mr Gawn's resignation, and, in recognition of the valuable assistance rendered by Mr Gawn in the past as a member of the committee and a large exhibitor, that he be recommended for appointment as an honorary life member. — On the motion of Mr George Roberts, it was decided that Mr John Angus, honorary treasurer, be nominated for the same position as a slight recompense for the valuable services rendered by him during the many years he has been connected with the ooniefcyv

After some discussion, it was decided to hold the annual monthly meetings of committee on the fourth Thursday of the month at 11 a.m., Mr Andrew Todd and Mr James Hazlett, on behalf of the Dunedin members, agreeing to fall in with any date which would be most convenient to the country members. - -^ The appointment of a Programme Committee was left in the hands of the executive to deal with. On the motion of Mr Andrew Todd, the following resolution was unanimously passed, and the secretai-y instructed to convey a copy of same to the Hon. John M'Kenzie . " That this committee deeply regret that the Hon. John M'Kenzie, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, has been compelled through ill-health to resign his position, and they desire to tender their sincere sympathy with him in his severe illness. That the keen interest Mr M'Kenzie has always displayed in all matters affecting agricultural associations, and the valuable assistance rendered by him to the agricultural, pastoral, and dairying industries in this colony during his term of office be also recorded on the minutes." The President stated that Mr Duthie had agreed to withdraw his resignation as secretary on the understanding that an assistant secretary be appointed, who would attend to the ordinary office details of the society's work, and that arrangements be made whereby he might be relieved from attending all committee meetings held throughout the year. — It was unanimously decided to agree to the secretary's proposal.

The Grounds Committee visited Tahuna Park during the afternoon, and decided on erecting extra stalls for stock, and making several alterations for the convenience of both exhibitors and the general public.