A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13899, 10 May 1909, Page 2

A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

THE MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Timaru Agricultural and I'astoral Association was field on Saturday. Present: —Messrs It. H. Rhodes (.in the chair), H. El worthy, it. Parry, J. M. Barker, E. Kelland, A. S. Eiworthy, (j. Lyall, T.. Teschemaker, C. ■N. 'Orbell, "\\ . Cartwriglit, it. Davie, AY. Harper, R. Irving, D. Shaw, J. Withell, J. Armstrong, W. J. Bassett, O. vScott Thomson, H. Lowry, and the secretary, Mr R. L. Orbell. Mr Rutherford sent an apology for absence. Mr C. N. Orbell said he .thought they had made the appointments of representatives to the conference, at last meeting, rather hurriedly They had not apiwinted their president as one of the representatives and lie thought they should have done so. He moved that instead of himself, the president should be one of the representatives. If possible, the president, and vice-pre-sident' should both attend the conference, and Mr Teschemaker should go with them. The President ruled that notice of motion must be given, and Mr Orbell gave this accordingly.

On the motion of the President, the name of Mr J. S. Rutherford was added to the Light Horse Committee. Mr P. Davidson wrote resigning his membership with the Association, but the resignation was' not accepted, it being decided to ask Mr Davidson to reconsider his decision.

The President proposed that in future the meetings of the-committee be held at 2 o'clock instead of 1.30. Mr Lowry seconded, and after discussion a vote was taken, eight for, and eight against the change. This being so, the President- ruled that the hour of meeting should remain as at present. The Finance Committee made the following recommendations: —That about £260 be spent in-building 50 additional horse stalls, new fences, and providing better seating accommodation, etc. That from £175 to £2OO worth of debentures be redeemed. That in the event of the Education Board and Technical School engaging an instructor in agriculture this association will contribute £25 per annum towards his salary. The Ground Committee m their' report endorsed these recommendations.

The President said that in connection with the appointment of an agricultural instructor, some members of the Education Board had waited on the committee and asked that in the event of their engaging a highly qualified man (whom they named), would the Association contribute towards his salary. He understood, however, that since" then this expert had secured another appointment. The secretary said he had obtained nrices for the erection of more horse stalls, and the lowest price was £4 5s per stall, for stalls which would be slightly smaller than those previously erected. Subject to ,the approval of the committee, the new stalls would be 12t't deep, 10ft high in front, and Bft at the back, while their width would be oft.

The matter was left to the ground committee, with power to act. Mr "\Vithell said he would like to see a sufficient number of stalls erected to

accommodate all the horses attending the show. -

The secretary said that to do this they would require, to erect aboutanother 50 stalls after those now contemplated. ■ :

Mr Withell said he would sooner see all the stalls erected than the debentures paid "'off,. as proposed. The President said, and members agreed, that the proposed seats round the ring would be a great boon to women and children. Mr Rhodes added that all these improvements were proposed because they were required, and not from any desire to spend money. If they were carried out the Association would only have £4O or £SO left with which to face next show. They wanted all the members they could get, and all the subscriptions. The recommendations of the ground and finance committees were, ou the motion of Messrs Teschemaker and Cartwriglit, unanimously adopted. On the motion of the President, seconded Ijy Mr "Withell, and supported by Mr C. N. Orbell, a hearty vote of thanks was proposed to the Hon. .7. Anstey and to Mr 'I. Scott, for the highly instructive and interesting day they provided on Tuesday last, when farmers'and others were given an opportunity 1 of inspecting their experimental plots of turnips. 'lt was said that if there were more of such gatherLings they would be a great benefit to I the country. The meeting then closed.