TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2482, 28 March 1893, Page 3

TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday afternoon. Mr C. N. Orbell, the presideut, occupied the chair, and there was a quorum of 20 members present. The following is the report of the president, Mr C. N. Orbell, and committee :

"In handing you this report for the past year we regret to say that there was a considerable falling off of entries as compared with the previous years, especially iu the pig and sheep classes. The annual horse parade was represented by 20 entries—the same number as last year — and held on Ist October. Owing to the day being very wet, a poor attendance was the result, and consequently small takings at the gate. Sheep: The entries in sheep were short by 74 compared with last year. With the exception of fine combing merinos, there was little or no competition. In English Leicester, Messrs Mawson Bros, and Kelland were the only exhibitors ; Border Leicester, Messrs Little Bros.; Lincoln and Romney Marsh, the N.Z. and A.L. Co. In fat sheep Messrs Orr & Co. took the honors, and the National Mortg igo and Agency Co.'s prize. Cattle were represented by 24 entries, chiefly Ayrshires, all owned locally. Draught horses were fairly well represented, and with good competition. Some first-class stallions were in attendance, and the first place was given to a Waimate horse, Hard Times (colonial bred) ; Mr Jas. Austin, of Temuka, taking most points in classes. Other horses were well represented, and fair competition ; the jumpiug of the hunters, as usual, being a feature, and great success. Pigs : No competition. Dogs : Both classes were well represented. Dairy produce and cured meats : This class was not so well represented as last year, but the quality of the exhibits left nothing to be desired, the whole being first rate—several exhibitors coming from Otago. Agricultural produce : This class, though never well represented, is, we think, on the whole improving. If timely notice could be given say after the annual meeting what prizes will be given in excess of each class prize, no doubt more agriculturists would be prepared to show. It is a class that requires encouragement. Implements, as usual, were well represented by large firms, who to all appearances did a good business taking orders. Seed and manure drill: This drill (prize given by the Association and the Canterbury Farmers' Association) only had two entries made for competition—Messrs Reid & Gray and P. & D. Duucan. The latter withdrew from the competition, having noticed that unless all the conditions of the specifications were complied with no prize would be awarded, thus leaving only Reid & Gray's exhibit. Judges were appointed, aud on the 28th of May met to judge the drill, with the following result : —' That in the opinion of the judges, the drill shown by Messrs Reid & Gray for the Association and Canterbury Farmers' prize of £42 does not comply with the conditions, being imperfect in mechanijm with regard to the delivery of manure. In other respects we consider it the best we have seen, and fulfilling all the required conditions,' At the next meeting of the committee it was decided, with the consent of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Assoriation, to again offer the prize to be competed for, prior to holding the show in 1893, the prize to be supplemented by a further sum to make it £6O. The conditions have been printed, and forwarded to English and American manufacturers, and should, we thiuk, result in a good drill being obtained. Conference of Agricultural Societies : This association was represented at the conference by Messrs C. N. Orbell, D. McLaren, and E. T. Rhodes. The result and work of the conference was supplied by pamphlet to each member of the association. Your committee for the past year reduced the prize-list by expunging the prizes for points, so that cups for points were given as private prizes, or out of the donations and funds collected, by which means we have made a considerable saving. Financially the show has proved a success, although the entries and gates were not so good, both showing a falling off. The year ppnimenped with a credit balance of 10s sd, and we have ended with a credit balance of £ll6 lis lOd, thus leaving us in a fairly prosperous position, with some few amounts still outstanding. Your committee have to thank the public generally of Timaru and surrounding districts for their liberal patronage at the show, and to those firms and gentlemen who so liberally contributed private prizes, viz. :—The N.Z. Insurance Co. (pro C. A. Jeffersou), N.Z.L. & M.A. Co. (pro F. LeCwa), N.Z. Mortgage & Agency Co. (pro W. R. McLaren), Messrs C. N- Orbell, A. E. G. Rhodes, E. T. Rhodes J. King, F. Simmons, J. Price,G. E. Warbu*ton,and W. Waddell, and those who contributed to the funds. The committee again desire to record their best thanks to all those gentlemen who so kindly and ably acted as judges in the various classes, the ground committee and class stewards, to Messrs Gracie & Maclean for selling the privileges without charge, the auditor (Mr J. Granger), and to the Geraldine County Council for their kindness in giving them the use of

a meeting room." The balance-sheet for the year ended February 28th, was as follows : Receipts : Credit balance, 10s sd; subscriptions, £137 Is ; entries, £153 10s ; privileges, £277 16s 5d ; donations and private prices,, £ 105 10s ; proceeds horse parade, £G 2s; judges' account, £1 8s ; total, £6Bl 18s 7d. Expenditure : Prize moneys paid 1893, £299 3s 6d ; printing ■end advertising, £G9 8s 10d; miscellaneous, £23 13s 2d ; judges' expenses, £29 4s Gd ; privileges, including printing of catalogues, £ll 7s; horse parade, £2 14s; labor account, £26 15s 9d; private prizes refunded, £3 ; rent ground £5.0; salary of secretary, v ~~ ..- ;?» r i • *V x'i i" • credit balance in bank, i ll r i •",,.,' , , , •t'f'Bl 18""' " r ° 10d; total, „.i_Oi Against the credit balance df £ll6 lis lOd there were only two items of debt, of £8 6s 8d each, ground rent and secretary's salary. A list of members gave the names of 24 life and 191 annual members. The report and balance-sheet wore taken as read.

in moving the adoption of the report the chairman referred to tho lack of adequate support given to the shows by gentlemen in the town who owned good c'tock, and suggested that the incoming committee should try and get a show grouud nearer the town andrailway, which he thought would increase the exhibits and improve the attendance. • Altai' some remarks by members, tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers for tlie current year was then taken. Mr James King was unanimously elected president; Mr A. 0. Pringla, vice-president: My \Y, I'.'jVmr was re-elected tve.'tjxnov; and Mr F, W. Stuhbs, secretary.

Mr I>. McLaren said, ho had now travelled all over New Zealand, and ho would say without fear of contradietjo.a

that the Timaru show ought to be the leading one of the colony, for nowhere else was there to bo seen a block of country equal to that between the Waitaki and Rangitata, aud if the settlers only took up tho matter warmly they could compel exhibitors from all parts of the colony to send stock to Timaru. He hoped the settlers would interest themselves in the show as it deserved. It was resolved to charge a guinea for every private carriage admitted on to the ground ; that the rule providing that no exhibits be removed from the ground without a written order be more rigidly enforced ; and that no member be allowed to alter the catalogue number of his exhibit. The meeting then terminated.