SOUTHLAND SHOWS

Southland Times, Issue 21856, 5 November 1932, Page 3

SOUTHLAND SHOWS

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. MEETING OF DIRECTORS. At a meeting of directors of the Southland Metropolitan Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday there were present: Messrs W. R. Ronald (president, in the chair), D. Marshall, H. S. Irving, A. Gerrard, W. Kennedy, W. Clark, S. T. Evans, T. E. Paterson, John Macdonald and John Gilkison. Advice was received from Mr John Ewan that he intended to denote a medal for two-year-old and under Clydesdale colts and fillies. It was reported that the Clifden Lime Company had donated two trucks of carbonate of lime for prize distribution. The donors were thanked for their offers. The eligibility of imported stock for the MacKinnon bonus prize scheme was discussed, and it was agreed to amend the length of time prior to showing within which stock must have been imported into Southland from 12 months to 18 months. Freight On Live Stock. A lengthy letter was received from the late General-Manager of Railways (Mr P. G. Roussell) in reply to the association’s request for a reduction in freights on livestock. The matter had been carefully reviewed by the Railways Board which considered that having regard to the nature of the services performed the present rates for the transport of live stock were reasonable. The letter drew attention to the fact that the bulk of the traffic was seasonal and consideration had to be given to the fact that special trucks had to be provided for live stock and were idle during a considerable part of the year and the cost of upkeep was greater than for ordinary waggons. The

charges for the average journey over which stock was hauled in New Zealand compared very favourably with the rates enforced for similar traffic in Australian states. The board was in no better position to stand a reduction in revenue than the producers. The whole trend of goods traffic in late years had been to divert the heavily rated goods to lorries and leave the railways with only low freighted traffic. “We can’t sit down and leave this where it is,” said Mr Marshall. “In 50 years of farming I think sheep and lambs are lower to-day than at any time I can remember.” The meat and wool committee had done all it could in the matter, and he thought the association should join in the representations that were being made. The Meat Board was also very interested, and as a visit, to Southland of the chairman of the board and several members was forthcoming he considered that some effort should be made to press the matter. A committee consisting of the president, Messrs Marshall, Gilkison, A. S. Holms and the secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson) was set up to wait on the board members. Grounds and Buildings. The president reported that the grounds committee had inspected the Showgrounds and fairly extensive repairs were required to put the buildings in order. Mr Irving said that a great deal of work had to be done to the buildings and it would probably cost £2OOO to put the buildings and the grounds in proper order. He advocated that the association apply io the Minister of Internal Affairs for permission for an art union. The president said he considered that a number of trees should be planted in various parts of the grounds. He also thought the time had arrived when some better name should be given to the Showgrounds, which was a somewhat bald title.