OAMARU NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3034, 8 May 1912, Page 19

OAMARU NOTES.

(Fbou Our Own Corkbspondent.l

OAMARU, May 4. At the annual meeting of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day Mr J. B. Taylor was elected as president and Mr W. Gardiner, sen., as vice-president. The proposer of the latter mentioned that that gentleman had been present at the first Oamaru Show 50 years ago, and had ever since been a consistent supporter of the association. It was determined to make a big effort to increase the membership in order, to mark the jubilee of the association. A resolution was passed asking the Government to set aside the unallotted land on the Elderslie No. 2 settlement —about 500 acres—for the purpose of the experimental farm which it is stated is in contemplation for the South Island. It was urged that not only was North Otago centrally situated so far as the island" was concerned, but that the laaid in question was admirably suited for the purpose, in that it was not first class, that it was liable to be affected by drought, and that it could be irrigated. These are deemed to be conditions that would give an experimental farm opportunities for testing the real value oi experimental operations. The quest ion was unofficially laid before the Prime Min-

ister when he was in Oamaru, and MiMackenzie promised to consider it. A meeting of potato-growers to-day decided to invite merchants to consider the question of payment for sacks and communicate their decision.