AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1476, 20 November 1872, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the committee and others interested in paying off the mortgage from the association's grounds was held at Coker's Hotel yesterday afternoon. Present — Mr E. B. Bishop, vice-president, in the chair ; It. Wilkin, W. Henderson, W. Norman, A. Duncan, the hon. E. Gray, M'llwraith, W. Miles, T. Bruce, H. Thomson, J. Miln, J. Gtebbie, Marcroft, and. l. T. Ford (hon. sec). The ordinary committee business was first proceeded with. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and several accounts connected with the late show were passed and ordered to be paid. Letters of apology for inability to attend the meeting were read from Messrs MurrayAynsley, and A. A. Fantham. The matter of protests was gone into. Messrs Duncan and Co.'s protest against the first prize being given, in class 14, for farm carts, to a dray shown by Mr Blyth, which, it was alleged, ought to have been entered in the extra class, as a dray, was considered. It appeared that the second prize in the same class was awarded to Messrs Duncan and Co.'s tip-cart. Mr Miln said that fh'e out of the six judges decided to give the prize to the dray as being more useful to a farmer than the other entry (Messrs Duncan and Co.'s tip-cart). The judges were agreed as to the workmanship of the two entries being equal, and would have given a first prize to the tip-cart also, but ho as class-steward could not allow them, without reference to the committee, to give two first prizes in one class. Mr Blyth's exhibit only got the prize because it was considered to be a more useful implement, and if its entry had been mado wrong, of course that was another matter. Mr Wilkin said, after the explanation gives by Mr Miln, and the fact that the description of cart was not very clearly defined in the catalogue, they could not but support the decision of the judges. Seeing, however, that Messrs Duncan and Co.'s cart had great merit, { he would move that a first prizo be awarded j to it also. Mr Miln seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. The Secretary referred to the protests against tho decision in the sheep-dog class, and said that, as so much ill feeling had been engendered by it outside, he did not know whether the committee would bo inclined to re-consider the decision they came to on the ground to disallow tho protests. Mr Wilkin said he thought the single judge who officiated would have done better had he waited for some one to be appointed to act with him, but an award having once been given, he thought tho Association should uphold it. He (Mr Wilkin) did not quite agree with the award of the first prize, but he did not think the Association could now go behind it. Tho Chairman thought the judge had no right to act alone, and more especially objected to passing over tho matter quietly bocause no second prize was awarded to any of tho dogs. After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of the hon. E. Gray, seconded by Mr Wilkin, that a letter should bo sent to each of the exhibitors in the Bhcep-dog class, exce2>t the one taking the first prize, express-' ing regret at tho action taken by the gentleman who judged tho dogs, and stating that the entrance money would be returned on application. A_ letter was read from Mr S. Garforth stating that a second prize ticket was affixed to' the bridle of his mare Gentle Annie on the

ground, yet at the dinner the Secretary said no second prize was awarded in the class. The Secretary, referring to the prize list, said there was no award marked, and he rememhered distinctly asking the class steward whether any mention was made hy the judges of Mr Garforth's Gentle Annie, and he said no. He (the secretary) must say, however, that at the late show several of the class stewards, particularly in some of the sheep classes, had been very remiss in the discharge of their duties, and it ought to he borne in mind for next show. On the motion of Mr WilMn,ifc was resolved that the Secret-ary and the member of the committee who attended upon the judges in Class 14 — horses — should inquire into the matter, and if they found that Mr Garforth's inai'e was entitled to a second prize, one should be awarded to it. Mr Wilkin called attention to the undesirability of the same animals being exhibited in the fat stock classes, more than one year. It appeared to him that the object of the association had in off ering the prizo3 for fufc stock, was to induce getting them into proper condition for the butchers, not to keep say a barren cow over from year to year to show, because she was well bred and likely to take the prize. He would move " that no animal should ba exhibited more than one year in any of the fat stock classes." Mr Miln endorsed Mr Wilkin's views, and seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. . The Secretary said the catalogue had hither- ! to been revised in August, but he would suggest that in future it should be revised immediately after the annual general meeting in January for move time would then be allowed to get it intoproper order, and it would give the general public moro time to prepare their exhibits, lie would move a resolution reeomineudiug the new committee to revise the catalogue within one month after the annual genoral meeting in January. Mr Wilkin seconded the motion, which was unanimously earned. Mr Wilkin said, before proceeding to the special business of the day, he would call attention to the great improvements effected on the ground previous to the late bliow, and the fact that for them they were very greatly indebted to the ground committee, Messrs W. Norman and W. Henderson. Their . labours had been very groat, as also, ,11c should 'say, had those of the secretary, Mr Ford, and he had very great pleasure in moving that a hearty vote of thanks bo given to those gentlemen. Mr M'llwraith seconded the motion, which was adopted nem. con. On the motion of the Hon. E. Gray, a vote of thanks was accorded to the judges ; and on the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr Miln, a similar acknowledgment was made to Messrs T. Bruce, H. E. Alport, and G. Gordon, for their labours in taking money at the gates. The Chairman said the next business was to consider the letter received from the president, Mr George Gould, with respect to paj-ing off the mortgage on the grounds, and which had already been fully published. He need not say that it was a most liberal offer, and that they were not likely to have such an offer made again. (Hear, hear.) Personalty he thought that every possible exertion should be made to take advantage of Mr Gould's liberality, which, without doubt, would be the best way of showing their appreciation of it, and the most acceptable one to Mr Gould. (Hear, hear.) The continuance aud gradual improvement of the exhibitive competitions under the association was of vital importance, and this could only be secured by freeirg themselves from incumbrances, which prevented them from increasing their inducements to peoplo to bring their stock forward for exhibition. (Hear, hear.) The hon. E. Gray asked what wa3 tho amount of the mortgage ? The Chairman said about £1700. Mr Wilkiu said that, including interest due, tho liability would amount iv all to about £1800. Mr Milu -would like to hear a statement of tho financial position of the association ; whether or not there were any funds in hand. The Secretary said he was not ready just then to supply this information, as it would require a great deal of work to prepare. If, however, the meeting was adjourned for a fortnight, he had no doubt himself and the treasurer, Mr Craig, would be able to make it up. He might say, however, that Mr Gould's offer was made expressly with a view to inducing the association to sco how much they could raiso outsido the ordinary funds, for paving off the debt. (Hear, hear.) He might say that, at the annual dinner, directly after tho letter from Mr Gould had been read he received promises of subscriptions from a few gentlemen around him, to the amount of £50. Since then Mr S. Bealey had promised £10, and he (the secretary) would also give £10. (Hear, hear.) The association was paying its way, and even more than that ; for, last year, they paid off £200 from the mortgage, and, this year, aftor paying all expenses of the show, they would be able to pay off, at least, another £100. Mr Wilkin said ho would like to make one remark. The letter from Mr Gould to him was written in Otago, and was no doubt suggested by Mr Gould comparing the prize list of our association with that of tho Otago society, which ho need not inform members was very superior. There could be no doubt that the Canterbury Association had done a great deal of good, but after all their prize list was, to say the least, beggarly. (Hear, hear.) Now he thought it absolutely necessary to improve their list (hear, hear), and the best way to do this was to get rid of their mortgage. (Hear, hear.) The Secretary read tho following let-tor : — j " Cashmere, Canterbury, N.Z., " Nov. 18, 1872. " Sir, — As I am prevented by another engagement from attending the meeting advertised for to-morrow afternoon, I request that you will oblige me by reading at the meeting this my apology for my absence. I am of

opinion that the Society should at once avai itself of Mr George Gould's noble offer ; and, it strikes me that, if we lose the present golden opportunity of getting the societv out of debt, the whole of the peoplo of Canterbury will commit a grievous error. To get the society out of debt, it is necessary that we should raise £1200. This, supplemented by Mr G. Gould's offer, will place at the disposal of the committee £1800. " I shall be told that £1200 is a large sum, but I think it might be raised in the following manner :— £4oo by 40 subscribers at £10 each ; JS2OO by 40 at £5 ; £200 by 100 at £2£200 by 200 at £1 ; £100 by 200 at 10s ; £100 by 400 at ss. But, then, no persons would put down their names unless an assurance was given that the whole of the society's debt would bo paid off ; in other words, that the payment of the sum affixed to each subscriber's name was made contingent upon tlie whole sum of £1200 being subscribed. " I feel certain that there are many men in Christchurch who would endeavour to induce the people to subscribe ; and, believing this, I shalL be happy to join the first .forty in the above list, provided always that the whole sum of £1200 is raised. " I am, Sir, " Yours, obediently. " Craceofx Wilson. " Secretary of the Agricultural Society." Mr Wilkin considered Sir Cracroft Wilson's suggestions impracticable. It would never do to divide the matter in tlie way proposed, and Ihe further considered that the association j should not accept any offer of subscriptions which were only to be paid if a sufficient amount were raised to payoff the whole of the j mortgage. His idea was to clear off the I whole'of the mortgage if possible, but if not, j then let them clear off as much as thoy could. If they were to give the assurance that no promised subscriptions would be called in unless there was sufficient in the gross to pay all the mortgage they might have all their labour for nothing. They might canvass and work hard to got money in, and then find that being rather short of the amount of the mortgage they could not collect what was promised them. The Secretary was of the same opinion, and said Mr Gould also took a similar view of it. He (the secretary) thought that Mr Gould having made such a liberal offer, surely some of our leading settlers would follow his example, at least to such an extent aa to enable them to take advantage of the offer. (Hear, hear.) Mr Gould, after reading Sir Cracroft Wilson's letter, had seen that gentleman and sent him (tho secretary) the following memo : — " I have just seen Sir J. C. Wilson, and ho authorised mo to say that ho will make one of twenty to give £20 each, so you can read his letter so as to convey that sense to the meeting." The Secretary said he had also received promises- of subscriptions on condition that those giving £10 should be constituted life members of the Association. Mr Wilkin said if Mr Gould was seen he had no doubt that ho would agree to subi scribers of certain sums boing made life members. Tho hon E. Gray said ho also objected to the cutting up of the community into so many classes of subscribers, as proposed in Sir Oraeroft Wilson's letter, and thought it would be quite unworkable. Personally he would give £20 provided he were made a life member of tho association. (Hear, hear.) Mr Duncan said that Mr R. Sutherland had authorised him to offer a subscription of £10 if ho were also made a life member. Mr Wilkin, referring to this subscription, said Mr Sutherland's example should be largely followed by his brother-tradesmen in the city, for he could not help being struck at tho last show with how muoh the city tradesmen, cabmen, 'bus drivers, and carriers were benefited by tho influx of peoplo into the city on tho show day, and ho thought in. the present emergency they should liberally help the association. (Hear, hear.) Tlie Chairman suggested that in order to induce persons to contribute largely, subscriptions should bo spread overa period of five years. Mr Wilkin did not approvo of this, but considered that whatover effort was made it should bo in the direction of getting the money at onco. (Hear, hear.) He would recommend that steps should be taken for prosecuting a generareauvass throughout the pi'ovinco, and thereby making a determined effort to clear off the* whole of tho debt at once. (Hear, hear.) Several other members expressed strong objections to tho deferred payment of subscriptions. The Chairman said whether this or any other plan was followed ho would himself contribute £10 towards the object in view. Mr Wilkiu said ho would also give £10. Mr Duncan suggested that a gift auction and grand gala on the association's grounds should bo got up, when he had no doubt that they would be able to realise a large sum of money. Mr Bruce, with whom the idea had originated, had already had 40 bullocks offered towards a gift auction, and he (Mr Duncan) besides giving a money subscription, would give something towards the same project. Mr Norman said he would gladly second a motion for getting up a gift auction. The • Secretary said in his opinion it would be much better and more courteous to Mr Gould to appoint a committee to draw up a woll-digcsted scheme for raising funds, and then submit it to that gentleman for his approval. (Hear, heai\) He would move " That a committee be appointed to consider what means should bo taken to raise subscriptions for paying off the mortgage j such committee to consist of Messrs E. B. Bishop, R. Wilkin, T. Bruce, J. Miln, A. Duncan, W. Norman, W. Henderson, J. Gobble, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, — M'Hwraith, and the mover ; to report at the next meeting of the committee." Mr Wilkin seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The committee then adjourned until 3 p.m., December 3rd, at Coker's Hotel.