AGRICULUTURAL AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1922, Page 7

AGRICULUTURAL AFFAIRS.

THE TARANAKI SOCIETY. GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING. The first meeting of the new general committee of the Taranaki Agricultural Society was held at New Plymouth yesterday. Present: Messrs. W. B. Grant (chairman), H. C. Sampson, F. W. Cornwall, W. Hall, N. W. Hill, H. Baglev, 5. Hill, J. S. Connett, A. J. Luxton, J. H, Hamilton, A. R. Gudopp, W. K. Morris, A. T. Moore, A. Turnbull, J. Allen, H. Stonex and G. H. Bell. Mr. Grant welcomed new members of the committee. He was certain they would work together as well as in the past. He trusted that a better balance sheet would be the result at the end of the year. Last year the society had suffered from the financial depression, but their balance sheet had been better than that of most similar societies. The chairman, in reporting upon the recent conference of A. and P. Societies at Palmerston North, at which he had attended as the society’s delegate, said the result had been to bring societies into a more uniform method of working. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. Committees for the ensuing year were set up as follows: Executive: Messrs. W. B. Grant, J.*H. Bagley, J. T. Griffin, L. Jackson, F. Dodunski, Washer, Lister, Davis, Eva, J. G. Short, Dobson, Browne, Moore, Ward, Sampson. Hall, Smellie, Hamilton and C. W. Reube. Messrs. Jackson and Dodunski were added to the general committee. Finance: Messrs. Grant, Sampson, Hall. Connett, Browne, Dobson and Washer. Grounds: Messrs. Grant, Sampson, Washer. Walker, Bagley and Giddy. Schedule revision (cattle, sheep and pigs): Messrs. Grant, Sampson, Hall, Turnbull, Walker, Cornwall, Jones and Luxton. Light horses: Messrs. L. A. Nolan, Pigott. McKenzie, Jury, Lister, Sheen. Draught horses: Messrs. Turnbull, J. Sampson and Geo. Colson. Judges selection (cattle, sheep, pigs and draught horses): Messrs. Grant, Turnbull. Hall. G. Hamilton. Cornwall, J. H. Allen, Gudopp and Smeilie. Light horses: Messrs. L. A. Nolan, Pigott and McKenzie. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES. With the object of fostering the interest in the society, the following district representatives were appointed:—Tataraimaka, Mr. W. Honevfield; Oakura, Mr. G. H. Bell; Omata. Mr. A. J. Luxton; Rahotu. Messrs. W. C. Green and -J. A. Colmer; Tikorangi. Mr. J. H. Allen: Urenui, Mr. R. H. Pigott; Tariki and Inglewood, Messrs. A. R. Gamlin and W. Langman; Warea. Mr. Chas. Wells; Lepperton, Mr. W. Hall: Huirangi, Mr. A. Turnbull: Waitara Road. Mr. W. McKenzie; North Taranaki. Messrs. Geo. McKenzie and H. M. Purdie; Okato, Mr. W. Gray; Pußearuhe, Mr. W. J. Freeth; Hurford Road. Mr. S. Vickers: Bell Block. Messrs. J. S. Jones and F. W. Cornwall. SHOW DATES. The dates i chosen for the autumn show, viz., Wednesday and Thursday. March 7 and 8, were confirmed. The winter show dates were fixed for June 6. 7. 8 and 9. PROPOSED ROYAL SHOW. Several letters were received from the New Zealand Council of Agriculture. The first matter referred to was the- establishment of a royal agricultural show in New Zealand. There were 6000 or 7000 stud breeders in New Zealand who would be vitally interested in such a show, and should be readily induced to become members. It was considered <hat if the first show was held in November. 1923, the subscription would not require to be collected till the end of this year. It was thought that a sum of not less than £lOOO per annum should be raised for the purpose, and it had been decided to ask: (1) The various A. and P. Associations to contribute on basis of 2 per cent, of members’ subscriptions; (2) breed societies to contribute special amounts; and (3) to enrol individuals as members. The executive of the council had therefore decided to proceed with the formation of a royal agricultural society, this being necessary in order to obtain a charter; otherwise the show would only have the status of a championship show. After a discussion, it was resolved to ask for more information as to the management of a royal show. Members feared that some of the big societies might endeavor to run their ordinary show under the title of a royal show, for the expenses of which smaller societies would have to pay.

Mr. Connett thought the three Taranaki Societies should confer with the idea of seeing what accommodation was available in the case of a royal show being held in Taranaki. He certainly thought such a show should be held in the province at some time in the near future. 1 The chairman, Messrs. Sampson and Hall were appointed a sub-committee to draft a letter to the Council of Agriculture, asking for information on various points in connection with the proposed show. CLOAK ROOMS. The liability incurred in connection with cloak rooms formed the subject of another letter from the Council of Agriculture. Quoting from the experience of the Wellington Racing Club the letter stated that the club simply provided a certain room with necessary lavatory accommodation and two attendants, whose duties were simply to keep their eyes open to prevent deliberate thieving. Responsibility attached at once to the receiver of a cloak, and the onus of showing reasonable care rested upon the receiver whether he charged a fee or simply acted as a gratuitous guardian. This was the only course which could with safety be followed.—Referred to the grounds committee. STATE FOREST EXHIBIT. The State Forest Service suggested that their forest extension officer attend the society’s show to assist settlers and advise on*forestry matters-, also to inspect properties ‘of intending planters and advise as to the best methods to adopt and the species of trees most suitable for the district. As a means of carrying this scheme out it was proposed to arrange an exhibit, as had been done at the Waikato Winter Show and the Auckland Winter Exhibition this year.—Members spoke appreciatively of the work of the service, and it was resolved to grant space at the autumn show for the exhibit. Mr. Uren (of the State Forest Service, Kohnratahi) was invited to attend

the next meeting of the committee in order to give information in connection with the planting season. SHOWGROUNDS FOR FOOTBALL. A renewal of the lease of the Waiwakaiho grounds for the 1923 football season was applied for by the secretary of the New Plymouth Soccer Club. The letter added:* “My committee desire me on their behalf to tender our sincere gratitude to the society for the past kindness shown, especially to Mr. Giddy for the extremely obliging manner in which he has complied with our requests.” Another application for the ground was made on behalf of the recently formed Taranaki Rugby Football League centre. It was decided to invite representatives from each of the clubs to confer with the chairman and the secretary on the matter. DAY OF MEETING. The meeting of the general committee was fixed for the first Friday in each month.