SPREYDON FAIR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 159, 14 November 1868, Page 3

SPREYDON FAIR.

4. A meeting of the committee deputed to arrange preliminaries for the intended cattle fair in the Spreydon district, was held at Mr Styche's hotel, on Thursday evening, Mr Miln occupying the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, and Messrs W. G. Brittan, junr., and W. D. Barnard were elected members of the committee. The Secretary read a letter from Mr G. Gould, apologising for his inability to attend the meeting, but expressing his sympathy with the movement, and stating that if it was decided to hold a fair during December, he w.ould offer a large lot of pure-bred cattle for sale, thereby serving his own as well as the interests of the promoters of the fair. The Chairman said the next business for the committee was to decide when the first fair should be held. Mr Bell considered the beginning of January would be a proper time. Mr Moorhouse did not quite agree with Mr Bell. He considered about the middle of December, would be preferable. They should always consider the state of their stock, and when they would meet with the most ready Bale. The district containing, as must be acknowledged, some of thebest grazing lands in the province, their cattle would be fat, and immediately before Christmas would be the best time for butchers to make their purchases so as to enable them to be in good time for the retail market. He was sure the district would produce, by its very fine and early pasture, some of the best fat stock to be found in the province; and he would therefore propose that the first fair be held on Tuesday, 22nd December. The motion was seconded by Mr Fantham, and carried unanimously. Mr Murray fully endorsed Mr Moorhouse's views. He was of opinion that Spreydon was the best grazing district in the province, and felt sure that such 9toek as could and ■would be produced would command the greatest attention of buyers. The Chairman quite agreed that the time fixed for holding the first fair would be the best, not only on account of the condition of the stock, but as the date would not clash with the fairs in other districts ; and he considered it the duty of all to arrange a time when their fairs shall not, if possible, interrupt those of their neighbours. (Hear, hear.) It was next proposed by Mr Bell, seconded by Mr Wilkinson, and carried, tliat the second fair be held in the seaond week in May. Mr Moorhouse moved, and it was seconded and carried, that the third or spring fair should be held on the 23rd September. In

i proposing this resolution he considered it '. would be the best time for farmers in the i district to buy lean stock, and if the public were made acquainted with the fact that the 1 committee would be prepared to purchase i such stock at that fair, he had no doubt but it would prove quite as advantageous to farmers as either of the summer fairs. : Mr Twigger and Mr Wilkinson spoke in favour of the resolution. The scale of charges was next proposed to be considered, when a discusssion took place as to whether the committee should provide the necessary pens and hurdles, and receive the entrance fees. MrFantham objected to the committee having anything to do with providing the accommodation. He thought that as Mr Styche had previously intimated his willingness to provide all the requisites, on his being allowed to retain the entrance fees, such would be the best plan for the committee to adopt. Several gentlemen spoke in favour of Mr Fantham's views. Mr Styche then stated what fees he proposed to levy, viz :— Cattle, per head, under six (6),9deach ; over 6, 6d each ; horses, is; sheep (per score) under 100, 9d per hundred • over 100, 6d per hundred ; pigs, 3d each ; implements and produce, free. Proposed by Mr Wilkinson, seconded byMr Fantham, and carried, that the scale of charges as read be adopted for the first fair on consideration that he (Mr Styche) should be responsible for the cost of carrying out the necessary arrangements, subject in all cases to the approval of the committee. It was then decided that the next meeting of the committee should be held on Tuesday, the Bth day of December, at seven o'clock ' Mr Styche stated that he had made arrangements with Mr Moorhouse, whereby he would be able, on the day preceding the fair, to place for the use of farmers bringing cfcttle, &c, from a distance, a large welliMßssed paddock free of charge. ligfr Miln said he would like to say a few wflrais before this meeting separated. He hatf heard it spoken of that these meetings to establish a fair were called by Mr Styche only, with a view of drawing a few persons to the house to sell his liquors. He must deny that such was the case, and he wished to state that the meeting was called at the request of many of the leading farmers in the district. There were several in the room, including himself, who had requested the meeting to be called, andhewas sure the committee would not *wish such a statement to go forth to the pubjk: without being contradicted. (Hear, hea*Jfc_ A unanimous vot*W? thankg to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.