NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3950, 15 December 1880, Page 3

NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual dinner in connection with this Association was held last night in Mr J. Roberts' Junction Hotel, Rangiora, and the interest taken in the affair was evinced by the fact that the large dining-room of the new hotel was filled to overflowing, several gentlemen who arrived late being unable to obtain seats till later in the evening. Mr John M'Farlane, the respected President df the Aesociation, occupied the chair, and was supported on bis right by the patron (the Hon H. B. Gresson), and on his left by Mr W. Buss, the energetic Secretary and Treasurer of the Association. The Vice-Choirs were filled by Messrs C. Merton and P. C. Threlkeld. A most substantial dinner was placed on the table and partaken of by the company, and tho ÜBual loyal and patriotic toasts were then duly honoured. Mr Parnham proposed tho toast of the evening — "Success to the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association." During the course of his remarks he compared the last Bangiora Show very favourably with four or five other shows he had visited. The name of the Hon H. B. Gresson, the patron of the Society, being coupled with the toast, that gentlemen responded in a lengthy speech, in which ho dwelt on the difficulties of the farmer and stock-grower in New Zealand, and on the necessity of mutual assistance, by means of associations -and exhibitions, advocating the plan of members reading papers at their meetings for mutual benefit and discussion. He expressed regret at not Beeing some gentlemen present who were expected, and who could have imparted some useful information. An apology was received from Mr John Matson, but none were received from other gentlemen invited. The President then, on behalf of the Asso- 1 eiation, presented Mr Isaao Wilson, Chairman of Directors of tho Kaiapoi Woollen Factory, with a handsomely illuminated certificate of merit for excellence of exhibits shown on the ground, and the toast of " Suocess to Colonial Industries " being proposed, Mr Wilson responded, expressing the . pleasure it gave him to see the reciprocity of feeling between the Agricultural Association and their new industry, and saying that the fact of the encouragement of such industries was a good sign for the future of New Zealand. Mr Ohinnery also responded to the toast. The healths of the President, the Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Buss, and the various working members, were duly honoured by the company, special reference being made to the amount of time that Mr Buss had devoted to the work of the Association, and the successful position to which he had brought it., Several toasts followed, and a pleasant evening was terminated at a late hour.