THE OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3596, 13 February 1923, Page 14

THE OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

APPEAL FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT. We are in receipt of the following subscriptions to a fund for the purpose of assisting the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society to raise a sum of £IO,(XX) inorder to relieve the committee of the society of its financial obligations and to enable it to make the improvements at Tahuna Park that are regarded as urgently necessary : Otago Daily Times and Witness Company ... £SOO 0 0 Drapery Importing Company ... 250 0 0 A. and T. Burt, Ltd 250 0 0 New Zealand Drug Company ... 250 0 0 Anonymous 250 0 0 Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd 250 0 0 Ross and Glendining, Ltd. ... 250 0 0 Sir John Roberts 200 0 0 Milburn Lime and Cement Company, Ltd 200 0 0 Dalgety and Co., Ltd 200 0 0 Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company, Ltd 100 0 0 Edgar C. Hazlett ... 100 0 0 J. A. Johnstone ... 100 0 0 Murray, Roberts, and Co. (Ltd.) 100 0 0 PUBLIC APPEAL COMMITTEE. The first joint meeting of the Executive and Finance Committees of the Otago A. and P. Society, and the Advisory Committee that was appointed at the special meeting held on January 31, when it was decided to appeal to the business comnmuiiv and others to raise the sum of £IO.OOO to place the society’s finances in a satisfactory condition was held in the board room oil Wednesday afternoon, there being present—Sir John Roberts. Messrs David Andrew, Edgar C. Hazlett, George .Black, H. Turner, and R. A. Ewing (representing the society), Sir George F enwick, Messrs James Brown, W. C. Burt, C. W. Rattray, Crosby Morris, J. Sutherland Ross, Arthur Barnett, J. Lethbridge, H. F. Sincock, James A. Park, and D. E. Theomin (representing the Advisory Committee). Mr I>. Andrew, president of the society, stated that the first business was the election of a chairman, and as it was Sir George Fenwick who advocated the proposal to appeal lo the public for financial assistance and it was on his strong recommendation that the Otago Daily Times and Witness Company made the first contribution of £250, Air Andrew considered that no one was more entitled, or better qualified, to fill the position than Sir George, and ho had much pleasure in proposing Sir George Fenwick as chairman. The motion was seconded by Sir John Roberts, and carried by acclamation, t Sir George Fenwick, in accepting the position, stated that while he was quite prepared and willing to give his hearty support to the scheme, he considered that others more directly interested in carrying through (ho details of the society operations fftild have been appointed to the position.

The Secretary (Mr E. F. Duthie) submitted a list of the contributions received and promised to date, which amounted to £1665. The Chairman considered that not only was the result satisfactory, but it justified the decision of the meeting in making an appeal for financial assistance. It was gratifying to the committee to see .that the pro pcsal was receiving the approval and support of the business community. There was considerable discussion on the question as to whether the committee should accept money on a debenture issue without interest, which should be redeemed by bal lot when the society was in a position to meet such payments. r llie general opinion was that it would be more acceptable to the society, and of much greater advantage to it even if the amount given was less, to receive a direct cash con tribution. Mr J. Sutherland Ross did not agree with the proposal to issue debentures, but suggested that it would be a convenience if tile payments cf donations were extended over two or three years. He moved the following resolution: —"That in the meantime a straight-out appeal be made to the people of Otago for a cash donation, bat it will be optional for the contributor to extend his payments over two or three years; that the committee respectfully request present members to favourably consider increasing their present subscriptions and confidently appeal to the large number who receive a pecuniary benefit from the society's operations to fully recognise their obligation and become members.” The motion was seconded by Sir John Roberts and carried. A complete list of the various trades was submitted, and it was decided to appoint a sub-committee to meet and make the necessary allocation for a personal canvass, which was recognised as the only means of obtaining satisfactory results. Messrs J. A. Johnstone, J. B. Waters, H. F. Nees, R. Hudson, C. Speight. H. W. Jones, and George Crow were added to the Advisory Committee, and it was decided that the General Committee should meet every Tuesday, when weekly reports will be submitted as to the results of the appeal. On the motion of Mr Brown the secretary was requested to communicate v> • th the Lancaster Park Board, Christchurch, and ascertain full particulars of the metlnds adopted by the Commercial Travellers’ Association to raise sufficient money to pay off all liability and hand over that park free of debt. Mr Black moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr Ilazlett and carried: —"That this meeting- place on record its appreciation and thanks for the generous and prompt response that, is being accorded to the anneal instituted by the Daily Times and Witness to place the society on a sound financial basis, and also for the confidence of the business community which is shown by the support already received.” The meeting was most enthusiastic, and Mr Arthur Barnett expressed his opinion that with such a backing as was present there would be no difficulty in obtaining the entire amount in a matter of a few weeks. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. Mr E. C. Hazlett presided over a full meeting on Friday afternoon of the subcommittee appointed to submit a scheme to canvass the city in connection with the appeal which is now being made to place

the Otago A. and P. Society in a sound financial position. The Chairman stated that it was verv encouraging to the committee to see how the appeal was being received by the business community and the hearty and prompt response that was being made. Mr C. W. Rattray supported the chairnan s remarks, and stated that it could not be expected that the total amount would be received from only some sections of the community, and that arrangements should be made to call on every profession, trade, and business, and that there should be no exceptions. He recognised that it would be a heavy tax to call on all classes, but with an enthusiastic committee of over 25 members the work could be equally distributed. JMv George Black said he considered that (lie ,Results so far attained were most gratifying. It c'.earlv showed tha£, the Dunedin people were prepared to respond to a genuine appeal, and no one could question that i lie present appeal was not absolutely necessary. '. Mr Arthur Barnett said he anticipated that there would be no difficulty in obtaining the desired amount. Every member of the Advisory Board was most enthusiastic and anxious to assist, and he would suggest that a recommendation should be made that all classes of the community should, if possible, be canvassed during the next fortnight. Mr Barnett also submitted a proposal which would enable the collectors to meet all classes. The scheme submitted provided for a cash donation, or for contributions extending over a period of years, and in addition an opportunity would be given to present members to increase their subscriptions. A complete and detailed programme was agreed on. and to enable the committee satisfactorily to give effect to the scheme it was decided to recommend several additional members for election to the AdvisoryBoa rd, the question of receiving assistance from country members was considered, and it was decided that an appeal should be made to all members for practical assistance either by obtaining new- members or by increasing their subscriptions. One member from the country had already notified the committee that he was prenared to contribute £lO 10s provided 50 other members were willing to subscribe an equal amount. The committee considered that this offer could not be allowed to go by default. The Chairman said he thought that a considerable amount, of money might be obtained from the country if it was properly canvassed, and he was satisfied that the arrangements made that afternoon would ensure the city being thoroughly canvassed, and every profession, trade, or business would have an opportunity to subscri be.

CANTERBURY CRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. (Lyttelton Times, February 9.) The most notable feature of the grain and praduce market this week has been the comparatively large quantity of new season's wheat- sold. In view of the request made to the Government by fanners to fix wheat prices it was thought that the majority of farmers would abstain from selling their wheat until the Government’s decision was known. This decision has not been announced, but nevertheless a good many farmers sold wheat this week. One mer-

chant, who deals largely in wheat, stated yesterday: that during the week he had bought a large quantity at 4s 6d per bushel on trucks at country stations. He had been quite surprised that so many farmers were willing to sell at this price after the decision reached at the conference in Ashburton to ask the Government to fix the mice at 5s txl per bushel f.o.b. South Island ports. Personally, he did not think the Government, would fix prices, but nevertheless he would not have been surprised if farmers had refrained from selling until a pronouncement was made by the Government. However, the farmers he had bought from seemed to recognise that on present world s prices 4s 6d was a very fair offer and. although naturally they would have liked more, they were, quite prepared to accept this price. Most cf these farmers, too, stated that they intended to plant wheat for next season as prices might then be better. The general opinion in business circles seems to be that, quite apart from the question as to whether Mr Massey will be able to carrv on, the Government will not fix wheat prices, for this would mean control, and the Government has definitely announced that the control of wheat would cease at the end of this month. It is reported that most of the samples cf wheat that have come forward so far are of good quality and very few of them show any evidence of sprouting.. For new season s fowl wheat merchants are offering from <ts 3d to 4s 4d per bushel on trucks at country stations. . . . - , , The market for cats is not very bright at present. There was a bit of a “flutter in oats a week or two ago. and prices rose rather sharply. This "flutter was due largely- to forward buying by Australian merchants. It- now seems doubtful whether *the Australian buyers ever intended to take delivery of the oats for once prices rose thev began to offer the oats for resale m New Zealand, and some of them were successful in disposing of their purchases. it looks as if the whole business was merely speculation oil the part of some merchants on the other side. Of course, the reporter, damage to the oat crons cv ttiu >requent rains in January bad something to do with the rise m prices, and no doubt helped the Australian buyers to force up the market in the " As' far aVchr ff is concerned good bright is the only quality in active demand, and during the week it advanced in price, some merchants now being prepared to pay up to £4 5s per ton on trucks at country station.. There is likely to bo a lot of weatherdamaged chaff about this season. A few odd lines of cocksfoot came forward to the market this week. Merchants are offering up to sJ>d per lb o n trucks at country stations for ready g°°h -,’ ~ ’ owing to the recent unfavourable weather not much of this quality has come forward so fur Farmers may considei that mer chants’ offers are low, but it has to be remembered that good Danish machinedressed teed can be landed in this country at 7d per lb. A few lines of white clover made their appearance on the market this week. Merchants are offering farmers from lOd to Is per lb. It is still too early fo. red clover. Ryegrass remains brni at hue rates. An odd line or two of partridge peas have been marketed. According to merchants the price on trucks at country "tuions for No 1 quality is 6s. per bushei. and for f.a.q. 5s 6d. These prices are for early delivery. Forward sales are hkely to at somewhat lower values, because at present the London market has an easin b tendency. . New ' malting barley is still worth from 4s to 4s 6d per bushel on trucks at country stations There is still some old seasmi’s barley about, and on trucks prices for this range from 3s to 4s a «oi d in b to quality The area ’under barle-. Lns season l much less than last, but it must be remembered that last year s acreage w oO pe? cent, in excess of the average, whilst n the previous year the excess amounted to 10? per cent- Cape barley is worth up to bushel on trucks at country stations compared with up to 2s 9d last year. There is no change to report with regard to potatoes. It is stated that the onion c-rcos in the Marshland district have been badly affected with blight, and so there are not likely to be so many about this year as last. However, unless considerable quantities are exported from Auckland to V ancouver prices are not likely to be too good this season. Latest Auckland reports indicate that so far there has been practically no demand from Vancouver for onions It is difficult to say whether theie will be much export business m onions this J ea( - Freight and duty are heavy items, ana besides, onions are being quoted cbuuiply n Melbourne to-day. At present fe .ee chants are offering for .onions £4 per ton on trucks at country- stations, prompt de.neiy, and £3 10s forward delivery. . Millers are endeavouring to push the sale of lorn at present in order to avoid being left with stocks made from last seasons wheat when the Government control ceases at the end of this month. Millers are bkeiy to lose on any of this flour they have on hand after February- 28 because, with the end of the control, the Government subsidyends also. . , The following are quotations for produce to be paid to "farmers at country stations free of commission, sacks extra, except where otherwise stated: Milling Wheat.—4s 6d per bushel (apP FowT Wheat. —New- seasons, 4s 3d to 4s 4d “.-Cartons 2s 6d to 2s 8d per bushel; Algerians (new season's), 2s 6d to 3s; Duns, 2s 6d to 3s. Chaff—£3 10s to £4 5s per ton. Potatoes.—£3 5s to £3 10s (forward). Onions —£6 per ton (autumn-sown;. White Clover—lod to Is per lb. Red Clover. —9cl to lOd per lbPerennial Ryegrass.--4s 3d to 4s 9d per bushel (new season's). Italian Ryegrass.—4s 3d to 4s 9d per bushel {new season’s). , U 1 Partridge Peas. —5s 6d to 6s per bushel. Cocksfoot.— sd to s£d per lb. Barley. —New season s, 4s to 4s 6d pel bU Cape Barley—Up to 3s per bushel. Linseed.—£l4 per ton (forward). . Flour. —According to Government P r *c®s: 2001 b sacks, £ls 10s; 1001 b bags £l6 10s; 501 b bags, £l7; 251 b bags, £l7 10s, all per ton, f.0.b., Lyttelton; Timaru, and Oamaru.

Bran.—According to Government prices: £5 to £5 10s per ton, according to packing, f.0.b., southern ports. Pollard.—According to Government prices: £8 to £8 10s per ton, according to packing, f.0.b., southern ports.