Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4981, 13 April 1889, Page 3

Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

The twenty-third annual meeting of the Timaru Agricultuaal and Pastoral Association was held in the offices oftbo secretary, F. W. Stubbs, this afternoon. Mr J. 8, Rutherford, the President, was at his post, and there was a moderate attendance of members.

The following report was presented to the meeting.— “ Gentlemen, —Your committee have great pleasure in presenting to you their twentythird annual report, which may bo considered in almost every respect eminently satisfactory. . '1 ho regular annual horse parade was this lime a success. There were 30 horses paraded on the old show ground, and owing to favourable weather, the attendance of visitors was considerable. The entries at the Show numbered 735, exceeding the previous year by 148 5 the increase is very gratifying,

The following is a comparative table of entries :

Sheep—Tho quality of sheep was flrsfc-cloas throughout, and the competition very good in all classes but Bomney Marsh and Down breeds. , ~ln Merino (class A, fine combing), there wore 48 entries ; and in class B, strong combing, 61 ; longwool fat sheep filled 117 pens. Cattle. —There wore this year no foreign cattle exhibited j but the entries, 41, showed an increase over last year. The exhibits wore mostly Ayrshires and fat cattle. Draught Horses. —The show of draught horses numbered 43, and were excellent ; but the competition was almost entirely confined to local breeders. Other horses, as usual, were strongly represented by 104 entries, and showed excellent quality. Pigs.—The Christchurch breeders, Messrs. James Rowe and D’Auvergne Bros , had very few local competitors to contend with, their exhibits being splendid. Dairy Produce.—The competition was m every class quite up to the average of former years, and tho quality all that could bo desired. Agricultural Produce.—There was a falling off in the number of exhibits in this section. It is a most noticeable fact that our local farmers seem to take very little interest in the exhibition of farm produce. As it is well known than grain, &c., of tho very finest quality is annually placed in our market., it seems a pity that the growers do not remember the Agricultural show, and compete with their neighbours for the honouis. Implements showed up in largo nembers, and occupied a large share of the attention of farmers and others interested. Notwithstanding that tho gate money taken at tho show was £2O short of last year, our financial position shows a decided improve- j ment; the cash balance which at the end of last year was £65 18s., is now £95 9s Id. The prize money paid was also £IOO more than the previous year. As regards exhibits, our show may be considered a decided success, though the visitors were hardly so numerous as tho previous year. This was evidently owing to the boisterous wind prevailing on tho Show day keeping many people from tho grounds. The hearty thanks of the Association are due to the donors of private prizes, also those who so liberally subscribed for cups in all classes of stock, and Robert Mackay, who kindly presented his prize money to the funds of tho Association. The committee wish to tender their thanks to the gentlemen who so kindly acted as judges in the various classes, and to the ground committee and class stewards; also to Messrs Grade, Maclean and Adam, who kindly sold the privileges free of charge, and to our auditor Mr J. Granger. We would again ask members not to forget i tho need of active canvass for now members to ensure success and stability to tho Association. , ,

The balance sheet showed a total of receipts £734 lls 2d, of which £65 18s was a balance from tho previous year, Tho chief items of receipts were—subscriptions £136 ; entries £193 16s 6d; gates, booths, and catalogues £265 8s Bd. The expenditure was £689 2s Id, leaving a balance of £95 5s Id. The chief disbursements were for prizes £4 r io, rent £SO, advertising and printing, £57 17s 9d ; secretary £SO. A list of members printed with the report showed that there are now 25 life members, and 182 annual members.

Sheep. 1888. 1887. Merino .>• * .. 103 109 Long Wool ... .. 104 117 Crossbred ... 3 3 fat .. 10 9 Cattle. 12 Shorthorn ... 7 Ayrshire Fat 20 6 18 11 Houses— 43 Draught ... .. 39 Other Horses ... .. 100 105 Pigs Dogs ... Dairy Produce ... 8 .. 11 .. 59 33 13 90 Agricultural Produce . 22 17 Wool ... .. 4 6 Agricultural Implements .. 92 114 9 Local Industries ... • .« — Shearing Competition . M — 12 5S7 735