A. AND P. SOCIETIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 15

A. AND P. SOCIETIES.

SOUTH ISLAND CONFERENCE. A conference of delegates from the various agricultural associations in the South Island was held on Thursday in the Otago A. and P. Society's board room, and was attended by Messrs D. Andrews, James Begg, and E. C. Hazlett (representing the Otago A. and P. Association), W. Hayman (\\ aitnate), R. Mackenzie (Mackenzie County), T. Isogan (Gore), D. Murray (Clutha), 1). Cuthberlson (Southland), L. W. Storey and G. G. Denniston (Canterbury), R. B. Meek (North Otago), George Ross (Palmerston). T. Scott and W. Allison (Tokornairiro), T. Maginnes (Owaka , P. Bleach and Jas Black (Maniototo), Robert H timer (Wvndham), and Young (Taieri). Mr E. ('. Hazlett. who was appointed to the chair, expressed his pleasure at the largo attendance, and stated that these conferences every year enabled the various societies to deal with many matters affecting the interest of them ajs a whole. After the whole matter was fully discussed it was recommended that the shows from Canterbury South should be fixed for the following dates Christchurch, November 8. 9; Timaru, Octob r 24, 25; Ashburton, November 1,2; Waimate, November 15; Wititon, November 14; Taieri, November 17; Milton. November 20 ; North Otago, November 21, 22; Balclulha, November 22, 23; Dunedin, November 28, 29; Otautau, November 28: Wvndham, November 39; Gore, December 4,5; Maniototo, December 6; Blacks, December 5; Southland. December 11, 12; Owaka, December 21; Waikouaiti, January 19; Blupskin, December 22; Palmerston, January 25; Mackenzie, Easter Monday. The second remit was that the various breeders’ associations te asked to revise the list of judges. This question was discussed at some length, and it was ultimately decided that the deegates attending the Agricultural Conference in Wellington should press the question and insist that all lists of judges submitted either by breeders or by separate associations should be revised.

The question of the Government being requested to supply sheep-owners with particulars of the earmarks and brands was fully explained by Mr James Begg. who pointed out that in the meantime such a proposal was not practicable because, unfortunately, in many instances, similar oar marks were now used by several different sheepowners. After consideration it was decided that the matter remain in abeyance until the department had issued the new regulations. The third remit was that the Railway Department be urged to give tetter despatch in handling show stock, and that more care be exercised in shunting. The meeting recognised that the Railway Department, so far as the despatch of show stock was concerned, were endeavouring to meet Ihe requirements of most exhibitors, but the question of injury done to animals bv shunting still existed. It was decided that the General Manager be written to and asked that special instructions be issued to shunters and assistant, guards that more care te exercised in shunting show stock. The fourth remit —the question of control of side-shows—was fully discussed, and il was recognised that, it was difficult to make definite regulations in dealing with them. As a protection to ihe public and to those who carry on their operations in an equitable manner it, was recommended that, in all cases where there was any doubt, ajiplicalion should be made to the police for a full report. The next point was the question of providing accommodation for judges and the difficulty that at present exists in arranging for accommodation for two days. It was recognised that the problem was a difficult one in the meantime, and that hotelkeepers eouhl not reasonably be expected to reserve rooms for two davs when at tho same time they bail applications for accommodation for the whole week. After the whole question bad been fully discussed it was recognised that no definite decision could te come to, and that 1 lie question would have to te deait with by the individual associations. One of the delegates present brought no the question of obtaining railway trucks for loading grain, and especially chaff. Ho pointed out that in one instance at Ranfurlv an application was made for empty trucks which were then in the railway yard. These were refined. and the delegate stated that the empty trucks were actually conveyed back to Dunedin where application was made for trucks, and those were returned to Ranfurlv. The general opinion expressed by the delegates was that surely this was an isolated case, and should at once be rectified. It was recognised that the department had to keep control of tho empty trucks, but surely the regulations could not extend to such ridiculous waste of time and money. The Chairman expressed his pleasure at the manner in which the whole business was conducted, and stated that ihe Otago Society was only too pleased and willing to carry through these conferences every year in the best interests of all cocncemed. The meeting closed with a special vote of thanks to the chairman and the Otago Society for arranging and carrying through these meetings.