AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 100, 8 September 1868, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

— ■♦ — A meeting of the Council of this Association was held at Messrs Wilson and Alport's Rooms, at 2.30 yesterday afternoon. Present : Messrs H. E. Alport (iv the chair), A. Duncan, W. Norman, E. B. Bishop, J. Milne, E. Mitchell, P. Tisch, D. Graham, J, Washbourne, J. Page, aud J. Walls. MiBishop said that at the last meeting, the Council had granted the sum of £10 towards the Champion Ploughing Match. This amount had been paid, as the committee desired to settle their accounts, and he produced Mr Brunsden's receipt for the money. The payment was passed. It was also agreed that the vote of £5, which Mr Bishop reported had not yet been applied for, should be paid to the Poultry Show committee, iv accordance with the resolution passed nt the previous meeting*. The Chairman said that the next business was to proceed to the appointment of a sub-committee to revise the catalogue of prizes for the forthcoming show. It woulel be o eof the duties of this committee to consider the letter addressed to the Association by Mr J. Evans Brown, recommending a reduction in the number of sheep forming a pen from five to'three. The sub-committee would also be required to consider and report at next meeting whether or not it shall be an absolute rule that the date of shearing shall be noted ; also, to- consider and report at next meeting the manner in which the height of ponies shall be determined on the show-ground. Mr Mitchell saiel it was most important that the exact date of shearing should be stated at the time of entry ; it should be made compulsory. On the motion of Mr Mitchell, seconded by Mr Duncan, the following gentlemen were appointee! as a sub-committee to take the foregoing matters into consideration, and report upon them :— Messrs George Gould, lliggins, Washbourn, J. Grigg, and the mover. The Chairman said that the next business was to appoint a sub-committee to consider and report at the next meeting the couditions on which each article of local manufacture shall be allowed to be entered for a prize, so that competitors may clearly understand the rules to be complied with, and the judges may know the duties they have to perform. Mr Bishop considered that the sub-committee should consist of commercial men. On the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr Milne, the following gentlemen were appointed as the sub-committee : — Messrs G. Gould, Wilson, Bishop, Stace, Alport, aud the mover.^Prizes will be offered for the following articles, manufactured in the province from materials which, with the exceptions named, have not been imported ; in each case the price is to be affixed at which the manufacturer can supply the trade in wholesale cjuantities, which shall be taken into cousieleration by the judges in their comparisons and awards : — Ale (imported hops allowed), baskets, boots, candles, leather, malt, pickles, preserved meats, rope, woolpacks, cornsacks, gunny bags, sad Uery, soap (imported alkalies allowed), sugar (made from beetroot), tw.Qjlcloths, aud wines (imported sugar allowed)^ Mr Tisch moved, Mr Graham seconded, mimt was carried, " That the hon. sec. be requested to forward circulars and catalogues to gentlemen who are likely to obtain subscriptions and donations for the association, and to procure the services of a suitable collector for the Christchurch district." Mr Mitchell moved — " hat the thanks of the Association be given to the committee, and especially to Mr Brunsden, the honorary secretary, for the active aucl efficient manner in which they carried out the arrangements in the late Champion Ploughing Match." Mr Milne secondeel the motion, and it was unanimously agreed to. Mr Bishop reported that no reply had yet been received from Mr Deighton, of Alelbourne, through Messrs Matson and Co. He had to report a balance in hand of £25. A letter was read from Mr A. A. Fantham, Lower Lincoln Road, making various suggestions relative to the arrangements of the show. The communication was referred to the sub-committee, appointed to arrange the catalogue of prizes to be offered. The Chairman said that the next subject for consideration was, whether prizes should be offered fur poultry at the next exhibition. Mr Mitchell considered that prizes should still he offered. At the same time, the association would have to afford greater facilities than hitherto for the exhibition of stock. A proper place was needed, both for poultry, local manufactures, and farm produce. Mr Duncan considered that every inducement should be offered to those visiting tho show -ground, and that visitors should be allowed to see as much as possible for their money. If they withdrew poultry from the schedule, the result would be that fewer persons would attend, and that the revenue would decrease, which at this time would be very undesirable. He would move, therefore, *■ That it is desirable to have a show of poultry, pigeons, rabbits, &c, as hitherto, at the next exhibition of the association." Mr Walls seconded the motion which was carried. It was moved by Mr Tisch, seconded by Mr Milne, and agreed

to, " That a letter be written to the secretary of the Acclimatization Society requesting him to call attention to the desirability of importing the following insectivorous birds, required on agricultural lands, namely, rooks and starlings." The meeting then separated.