KAIAPOI FARMERS' CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3487, 14 June 1879, Page 4

KAIAPOI FARMERS' CLUB.

The usual monthly meeting of thia Club was hold afc the Club Chambers, Cookson street, Kaiapoi, on Thursday 5 present — Messrs Parnham (in fche chair), M. Jones, J. Perrin, T. Pashby, 0. E. Dudley, Hay, Smith, O. Young, A. M'MiUan, J. G. Kidd, W. Robb, "W. M. 1(038, and J. Beharreil (Hon Seorotary and Treasurer.)

The Chairman said thafc the chiof business of the Ovening was fco arrange aboufc fcho annual ploughing matoh, and he would also like to bring bofore tho Club the utter want of accommodation at the Kaiapoi Railway Station for fcho transport of cattle, pigs, and sheep. Thero were no pons, and when farmers had sheep, &c., to bring to Kaiapoi thoy were obliged to land fchem on the passenger platform as beat thoy could. Another matter that they ought; to bring under the notioe of tho Railway authorities was the dangerous sfcate of the crossing near the Sneyd's Arms. There were no wing fencos to the crossing, whioh was a skew one, and ifc was almost impossible to prevent cattle straying up or down tho line when driving them ooross, unless afc least three men were driving them. The Olub might also express an opinion on fche aotion taken by the Ohristchuroh Corn Exchange Committee re tariff on grain. Mr M. Jones could quito bear out whafc fcho Chairman had Baid regarding both the want of accommodation at tho Kaiapoi railway station and the danger of driving oattle across the crossing at the Sneyd's Arms. It was next to impossible to drive cattle across by onesolf, .owing to the want of wing fencea He thought the railway authorities appeared to bim to treat the northern district with contempt. Every little wayside station on tho aouth line was provided with proper cattle and sheep pens, while stations like Kaiapoi and Rangiora were left without; anything of the kind. .

Mr Beharreil thought thafc fche beßt way to bring the matter before tho railway authorities would be to appoint a committee fco lay the whole matter beforo them.

Mir Pashby was of fcho samo opinion, and would propose fchafc a deputation, consisting of' Mesars ifi, Parnham and M. Jones, wait; on the General Manager and request fchat some means be provided for the convenience of fanners shifting cattle to and from Kaiapoi. Mr W. M. Ross seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Jones proposed, and Mr W. Robb seconded — "That the same deputation bring wider the notice of the Railway authorities the dangerous state of tho orossing near tho Sneyds' Arms." Oarried. ' The Seoretary was instructed to write to the Chairman of tho Christohurch Corn Exchange Committee, fully endorsing the action taken by them re reduction of tariff on corn.

The Chairman said tho nexfc businoss was to present Mr Walls' prizes to the winners, Messrs Young and Spiers. He would call on Mr Boas to make tno presentation in the absence of Mr Walls.

Mr Boss said he must apologise for fche absenoo of Mr Walls, who had beon kicked by a horse, and was thereforo unable fco attend. He had great pleasure ia presenting fche

prize (a handsome silver cup, supported by a female figure,'and having two medallions, on one of whioh was engraved, " Presented by J. Walls, Esq.; won by 0. Young," and on tho other, "Kaiapoi. F. and G. Show. Besfc foal by Pride of Scotland. April, 1879.") to Mr Young, and ho hoped that he would often be able to carry off similar prizes. (Cheers.) Mr Young having repliod, the Cup was filled and Mr Young's health drunk with three times three. : Mr Robs then asked Mr Robb, in the absence of Mr Spiers, to take the gold medal also given by Mr Walls, whioh he did. The medal is a handsome gold one, ornamented by a scroll in gold, and bears on ifc fche following inscription :— " Kaiapoi F. and G-. Show. Best foal by Sir Walter Scott j April, 1879. —Presented by J. Walls, Bsq. ; won by Hugh Spiers." Both Cup and Medal were from Mesars M'Callum and Co. Resolved — " That a very cordial vote of thanks be given to Mr Walls for his handsomo prizes."

The Chairman said the question now before tho meeting was whether there should be a ploughing match this jear or nofc. For his parfc he should be very sorry to see ifc fall through. .

Mr Pashby said ho was strongly in favour of the usual match being held. The Kaiipoi Ploughing match waa the oldest annual event of the kind in New Zoaland, and he considered it would ba a very great pifcy to allow ifc to fall through. He thought there would be no difficulty in raising the necessary funds, if the matter was taken in hand properly. Ten years ago the club was £10 in debt, and they then managed to carry oufc fche annual match ; and why could they not do so now, when fchey had a balance fco their credit, even if it was only a small one. (Hear, hear.) Mr Jones said he quite concurred in what Mr Pashby had said, and would propose — " That fche annual ploughing match take place as usual, on a date to be fixed afc a futuro meeting." Seconded by Mr Ross, and carried unanimously. A long discussion took place as to the terms on whioh the club had the uso of fche room. A greafc many members thought thafc the room was fco be open to mombera overy day, whereas when they came they could nofc get in unlesß Mr Wilson was in liis office.

The Chairman said they could do nothing in the mattor unless thoy had the agreement bofore them, and tlie matter had better stand over till nexfc meeting. The following wero then appointed as a .Ploughing Match Committee : — Messrs R. Coup, J. Beharreil, J. Reid, J. Stanton, T. Pashby, R. Belcher, J. Perrin, C. Young, J. L. Wilson, M. Duncan, W. Lorimer, D. O'Callaghan, W. M'Gregor, E. Mulcock, T. Stevenson, W. Birnie, H. Vale, J. Walls, Hay, Smith, A. M'MiUan, F. Denton, G. Edwards, G. Bailey, S. Clofchior, M. Jones, G. Weston, F. Bosustow, E. Revell, W. Judson, H. Elder, W. M. Rosb, J. Mcrrin, W. Robb, J. G. Kidd, D. Tibbot, J. Rich, T. Burgess, W. Pearson, J. Forrest, W. Mitchell, W. D. Humphries, J. Stevenson, K. M'lnlOßh, E. Butters, B. Hopkins, E. Parnham, R. Dailey, J. Wright, H. Smith, and W ; Patterson. The following Managing Committee was elected — Messrs Stevenson, Walls', Perrin, Young, Rcsb nnd Pashby, and officers ex officio. A subscription list toi oponed, and tho sum of £10 subscribed in the room. It was decided to invite offers of suitable pieces of land for fche match, to be sent in by June 19. The meeting then adjourned.