OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 11

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAIi MEETING

The annual meeting of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held in the board room, Agricultuarl Hall Buildings, on Wednesday evening, when tho President (Mr A. Douglas) presided, and about 60 members were present.

The President, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, already published, regretted having to remind the members of the loss the society had sustained in the death of the late Sir John M'Kenzie. H© had taken a great interest in all matters pertaining to agricultural and pastoral societies. Also, he (the president) had to remind them of the untimely death of Mr John Wright, a member of the society. While deploring these losses, it was the duty of the members to carry on the work of th© society _and to promote its interests. Immediately after the Winter show the 'secretary of the society, Mr Duthie, had resigned, and the resignation had been re-■oe-ived "with general regret, as the committee -knew it was greatly owing to Mr Duthie's ■tact, ©hergy, and perseverance that the society, was able to accomplish so much. The society, however, had been very fortunate in securing tho services of Mr Fulton, wlio had proved a good successor — (applause), — and if he was ably supported by the committee there was no reason to fear that the society would continue to hold its present prestige. — (Hear, hear.) Touching the financial aspect, there was very little alteration in the items. The principal alteration was the loss on tho annexes. There had been very little going into the stores this season, and this fact had caused a reduction in rent of £70, which, of course, was loss. On the 12 months' transactions there had tbeen a profit of over £500 over and above expense?. Taking the year's worfe into consideration, this was a very satisfactory result for both shows— the parade and ram fair, — and if the society could continue to do as well it would soon be in a good flourishing position. Speaking to the citizens of Dunedin specially, he would urge upon them to assist the society as far as possible. It might be said the country members should support the society, but the country members were nearly all members of their own local societies, and it was not right to expect the country member* to do so very much. The people of Dunedin contributed well to the society, and the heading firms and hotels especially; but there were a great many small business people who must benefit by the shows, ami it was to those people he appeale-d to come to the assistance of the society. Anlother reason v/as that the chow was an Otago show, and was held in the city. It was not a first-class }ite that the society posseeeed, and it had to be maintained at $reat expense. Tahuna Park was, unfortunately, much exposed to wind and rain, And the transit of people and stock thither liras somewhat awkward. In fact, the meaas jof transit — the railway — was likely to be cut off. The City Council held the railway line now, and it was not to the council's interest to keeo it repaired, because the tiHY9I}WWt &S&XS& the JCSfife Therefore,

he did not think the corporation would assist very mucli unless great pressure wi3 brought to bear upon it. The committee had decided upon erecting a new grand stand, which would cost nearly £1000, and he hoped the society would bo well supported in this step by tho people of Du,iedin. He hoped to see the> grunrl stand in existence by next show time. He desired also mention the lons thf^ society had sustained through the death of the late Mr John Deans, of Riccarton, who had been a strong supporter of the society, and his loss would be greatly felt. — (Hear, hear.)

Mr J. Buekland seconded the motion. He endorsed the remarks that tho chairman had made in regard to the loss sustaine 1 by tho society in the deaths of Sir John M'Kcnzie ami Messrs J. Wright and Deans. In regard to what the chairman had said concerning the City Council and the railway to Tahuna Park, he did not think such a narrow and party line would over be adopted by any corporation holding power in Dunedin. — (Applause.) It would be altogether foreign to what they had be>'.n led to expect from the chief municipal body of this city. In regard to the grand stand, he would express his feelings on .the suifjeot by saying that it might not be a wise thing to erect a grand stand, but if it was no 1 , there was certainly no other course ope*i. In regard to the support given to the society by the townspeople, while it was nreesta-y to have that support, still the success of the show did not lie within the city boundaries. There might be as many shows in the country as they liked, but there was only one Otago A. and P. show. — (Applause.) In conclusion, ho hoped that every opportunity would bo taken to further their provincial excellence.-— (Applau K e )

The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Mr William Souter proposed Mr John Roberts as a honorary life governor of the society. He said he had known Mr Roberts from the institution of the society, and Le was perfectly sure no one deserved the honour more than he did. It was quite uunecessary for him to say anything more than that. — (Applause.)

The motion on being put was carried, xiv\ Mr Roberts was declared a. honorary life governor of the society amid renewed applause.

Mr Roberts briefly acknowledged the compliment the members had paid him. He eaid that his active work in the societydated back to some ancient period, and thjs for two reasons. First, on account of his health, which, for the past two years had been such as to make it necessary for him to be careful not to overtax his strength ; and, secondly, that he felt that old members such ac he had done their work — had served their time. It became those who had come into the latter part of lifo to stand »side and make room for younger men, with plenty of vigour and life and go. As ho looked round he saw a large number of young men, from early manhood up to middle age, which assured him that the Society was not dependent on its old meu. He also saw in the room gentlemen who had served with him from the earliest days of the society, and he was glad to fceo them hale and well. Amongst them were Mr Souter and Mr Patjiok. They were men whose whole soui md lj£e &€*• gives to

the society, and who worked night and day for weeks and weeks to perfect the exhibitions. He thought it due that he should make some reference to the lafe Mr John Deans. He desired to contribute hit? quota of praise to the late gentleman's memory. From almost the earliest years of the society he was not only content to act as a judge, but he was al c o willing to eend in his stock if he could. He felt that in Mr Deans's death they had lost a good friend. A comparison between the past and the present would, no doubt, be interesting, but he would not take up their time except to say that it was interesting to note the enormous strides the society had made since the time when they had to go begging for a guinea here and half a guinea there, and had to etruggle to make ends meet. Now the society spent its thousands a year, and made use of its large surpluses in erecting handsome buildings. Not content with improving Tahuna Park, they were talking of converting the Agricultural Hall into a theatre. He hoped, if the project was carried out, their expectations would be fully realised, and that they would receive a handsome profit from the change. Ho again thanked them for the honour they had done him, and trusted that in his little way he would be of some further service to Mie society. — (Applause.)

fcl-EOTIOS OF OFFICERS

The election of officer™ for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows: — President, Mr George Roberts; vice-president, Hon. T. Furgus ; hou. treasurer, Mr John Angus ; General Committee — Messrs D. Andrew, W. Blackie, J. W. Blair, H. Buekland, Wra. Charters, E. F. Duthie, H. M. Driver, John Elliot, Hon. T. Fergus", James Gow, John C. Gow, James Hazlett. Arthur Johneon, J. Lethbridge, T. Muir, J. H. MacEwan, A. M'Farlane, J. Nimmo, A. S. Orbell, James Patrick, P. Pattullo, J. T. Ritchie, C. S. Reid, James Rosa, James Shiel, James Smith, jun., Win. Souter, A. C. Stronach, W. H. Taggart, Andrew Todd, J. Tough ; hon. veterinary surgeons — Me-^rs J. A (Jilruth, M.R.C.V.S., W. D. Snowball, M.R.C.V.H , H. C. Wilkie, and A. Hamilton, M.R.C'.V.S. ; hon. biologist, Mi Tho9. Kirk, F.L.S. ; auditors, Messrs Peter Barr and Thomas Cal lender, F.I.A.N.Z. ; secretary, Mr H. V. Fulton.

Mr G. W. Roberts briefly returned thanks for his election, and referred to the inclusion of 12 acres of sandhills, within the park limit, granted by the Domain Board, and which was now planted.

The Hon. T. Fergus returned thank? for his election, as vice-president, and referred to the success of the society in the pa^t, and its good prospects for tbo future. The society was doing well, and making towards placing tho show in the position of the premier show in the colony. Tho present was the best winter show ever held in Dunediu. The county exhibits were splendid features, and he would like to see more" coimty exhibits and a more adequate prizelist for this section.

The President tendered his thanks to the •committee and society for support accorded him during his term of office.

THANKS.

Votes of thanks were moved to the judges, president, committee, stewards, other officials, and exhibitors.

Mr fi. BsiUfii m returning ttagJu og fee-

half of the judges, referred to the excellence of the county exhibits and the general high standard of the show. He advocated a scheme of points for county exhibits whereby judging would be carried out on some definite basis. He aho referred to tho death of Mr John Deans.

Mr M. Murphy (editor of the Flock Book), in returning thanks on behalf of the visitors, eaid he was particularly struck by the excellence of the winter show as compared with th© one in Canterbury. He was ashamed of the Canterbury winter show, and sorry to say the farmers and Canterbury peopl© had not supported that show. He especially praised the dairy exhibits and the county exhibitione. He also referred to the late Mr John Deans as having been a man of sound worth and judgment. Referring to the discovery of phosphate rock, he thought it meant a great thing for Otago. In early days, when the soil wa» virgin, splendid crops could be raised without manure. That was not so now, and turnips could not be grewn without the use of some mineral manure. If the phosphate rock existed in quantity, as he believed it did, it was difficult to estimate the advantage to Otago, not to pay the colony as a whole. He thought, however, it would require to be treated with sulphuric acid. He knew the application of sulphuric acid in the case of coprolytes had been of great benefit, and produced double the ieaults. Even then the phosphate would be a cheap manuro, and available for export. In conclusion, he referred to the advantages of holding agricultural conferences such as was now proceeding. He hoped that a motion to be brought up fixing the meetings for ©very three years would not be carried. Two years was quite long enough. — (Applause ) This concluded the business.