TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3307, 4 May 1885, Page 3

TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A special meeting of the Committee of this Association was held on Saturday afternoon. Present — Mr D. McLaren (m the chair), and Messrs E. Elworthy, A. Wyllie, W. Hay, Thomas Teschemaker, H. Ford, G. Talbot, K. F. Gray, J. Talbot, W. Moody, R. Mackay, A. E. Cox, G. Rhodes, A. C. Pringle, W. Balfour, W. Stephenson, John Goldie, A. Grant. After the minutes of last meeting had been read and confirmed, a letter was read from Messrs Maclean and Stewart, m reply to one from the Association's Secretary giving notice of intention to quit the office, stating that they considered they should be given three months' notice. The Chairman then directed that the SubCommittee's report should be read, which was done as follows : — "The Sub-Committee appointed at the meeting on the 28th March to consider a resolution by Mr Moody re the desirability of making arrangements for show grounds at small cost, the prospects of continuing to hold the present grounds being beyond the present means of the Association to meet, report as follows : — " The hearty thanks of the Association are awarded to the Messrs Rhodes for their considerate treatment of the Association during its occupancy of the present grounds. "Your Sub-Committee beg to state that they have carefully gone into the matter, and have come to the conclusion that the Association could not possibly, m its present position, keep the Show Ground, much as they regret having to part with it. The rent, m the Bhape of interest, £180 per annum, being beyond our means. "The Trustees of the Messrs Rhodes estate have been communicated with, asking them to release us from the mortgage, which they have kindly consented to do. They have also kindly granted us permission to remove all the yards and fixtures, provided all rent and interest, &c , be paid upjto date. " We have further communicated with the South Canterbury Jockey Club respecting a site on the Timaru Racecourse, and m reply have the offer of the use of what will be required by the Association for show purposes at an annual rental of £25 per annum ; the "first year free, as a subscription to the Association. "We, therefore, recommend m the first place that the offer of Messrs Rhodes' trustees to release the Association be accepted, and alao that the thanks of the Association be tendered them for their kindness m allowing us to remove fixtures as desired ; and we further recommend that the offer of the Racecourse Committee be accepted, subject to the Committee of the Association being able to make satisfactory arrangements' with the Bank. "We advise this course owing to the financial position, which we have also considered, and after due consideration came to the conclusion that m order to pay off the present overdraft at the Bank a Committee should be formed to canvass the district for this purpose. " A number of gentlemen have been appointed throughout the district and have been notified to that effect, and a copy of subscriptions promised, amounting to £107, has been duly furnisned to each, as also the names of the gentlemen to act together m the various districts. " The above-mentioned course is the only one by which wo can see our way out of the present difficulties." After some discussion the report, on the motion of Mr K. F. Gray, seconded by Mr J. Talbot, was adopted. The subscription list was then handod round with the result that £60 was added to it. Resolutions were thon passed. as follows :— "That a vote of thanks be tendered by the Aeioct»tioq to the South Canterbury Jockey

Club for their kindness m meeting the AssoJ ciation m the matter of the Show Ground, and that the Secretary write accepting their offer with the conditions contained m the report." " That m reply to Messrs Maclean and Stewart's letter re office, they be informed that the Association, while recognising their past liberality m connection with the offices, regret that the financial position of the Association precludes their continuing to occupy it any longer, and, therefore, must now give them three months' notice of the Association's intention to quit the office as from the Slsfc March last." "That on tho subscription lists being returned a meeting of the Committee be called to consider the question of finance, and decide finally tho programme of the Association's further operations." Mr Elworthy intimated that he had received a letter from Mr H. J. LeCren, resigning his seat on the Committee. The resignation was accepted, and Mr T. E. Rhodes was elected to fill the vacancy. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.