OTAGO FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 7

OTAGO FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above association was held on Thursday night, Mr J. F. Mollison presiding over a fair attendance of members. The following annual report was_ read, and, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr H. Turner, was adopted:— The operations of the past year must be considered satisfactory, and the association has successfully carried out the object for which it was formed. Mr H. Bennetts was appointed the association's delegate to the annual conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, and the thanks of the association are due~to him for the comprehensive report of the business transacted at the conference. The Otago A. and P. Society decided to make a fruit display a prominent feature of their Winter Show last year, and the association lent every assistance towards making this portion of the Winter Show a success. The association had two entries for the association's display section, and received a second prize. It is hoped in the coming year that the association will be able to make a still more attractive exhibit.

Mr J. F. Mollison was re-elected president, Mr E. Aslin was appointed hon. treasurer, and the two retiring members of the committee (Messrs H. Turner and F. G. Duncan) were re-elected. Mr T. H. Thompson was appointed hon. auditor. The New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation wrote, in reply to the association's letter, stating that, as suggested by the Otago Fruitgrowers' Association, they had decided to make a donation of £lO 10s towards the Otago A. and P. Society. A further letter was recoived > from the federation stating that the Provincial Conference will be held in Dunedin on June 5.

The Otago A. and P. Society wrote enclosing advance copy of the schedule for the fruit section. It -was resolved to make an entry in Class 84 (in the association's fruit bay), and arrangements were made for collecting tfoa necessary fruit for making an adequate display, the matter of arranging the bay being left in the minds of Messrs Mollison and Turner.

Mr Reynolds brought up the matter of returned soldiers who were going in for orchards and applied for valuation that the Government had appointed the Crown lands ranger to value these orchards, and said in his opinion the orchard expert in each district should be appointed to value orchards. It was resolved that the secretary write the New Zealand Federation explaining this matter, and suggesting that it should be brought under the notice of the Government. It was also resolved that a deputation wait upon Mr Sadd and place the matter before him.