AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4509, 6 October 1882, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION

« An ordinary meeting of the Committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held this afternoon ; present — Mr W. Henderson, President (in the chair), Messrs W. Kortnan, J. Ferguson, J. Deans, H. M'llraith, W. Boag T. Bruce, J. Anderson, junr., 8. Gar forth, B. Sutherland, J. Mann, 8. Manning. ArOLOGT. An apology was read from Mr P. Cunningham, who is absent in Auckland. FLOWKB SHOW. An application was read from the Horticultural Society, asking permission to hold their •how on the grounds on tho same terms as last year. The permission was granted. NEW ZEALAND HEED BOOZ. A letter was read from the Napier Agricultural and Pastoral Association, asking the Association to take in hand the compiling of a " Now Zealand Herd Book," and offering to assist with every information in their power. A letter from Mr Brewer was read, offering his interest in the Herd Book for £60 and a life membership in the Association. The matter was referred to the following sub-committee, with power to act : — The President and Messrs Deans, M'llraith, Norman, B. Wilkin, W. Boag, and S. Gbrforth. DOG SHOW. A letter waa read from the Canterbury Coursing Club, stating that they- could not see thoir way to amalgamate with the Papanui Club for the purpose of holding a Dog Show, but that they were prepared to carry it out on their own risk, as last year. They also aßked what terms the Association would ask for this year, and for the same privilege for three or four years. The matter was referred to the Ground Committee. BXDBNHAM CBICKBT C.TJB. An application from tho Bydenham Cricket Olub, for the use of the Association's ground every evening, and on Saturday afternoons, was read. They proposed to pay £25 a year for the privilege. Ihe application was r« fused. POBIBB. A letter was read from Mr F. N. Jones, of Nelson, suggesting that prizes should be given for the best pair of ponies, and promising to enter four pure-bred Timor ponies. The Committee appropriated Mr Weeton's private prize of three guineas for the best and second best pair of ponies under 13 hands high. MERINO BHSBF. Tho following wa3 read : — 11 Horsley Dowrs, " Waikari, Oct. 6, 1852. 11 Sir, — I would beg to call the attention of the Committed of tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association to the very peculiar position in which merino sheep are placed at your annual show. It is weil known that there are two distinct varieties of merino sheep which may be divided into strong and fine combing, and probably a greater difference exists between these two kinds than any of the long-woolled breeds, oE which I think not less than five classes are made, while there is only one class for merinos. In Australia the strong combing is represented by Murray, 0. B. Fisher, Pitt, Angus, Oanowie, Bell, and others of less repute. Fine combing is represented by nearly all New South Wales, the greater part of Victoria, to whioh may be added Tasmania. There is an equally steady demand for both classes of wool in the market, and consequently for both classes of sbeep ; and at the annual sales we find both these varieties of merino fetching exceedingly high prices. At the annual shows these varieties are shown in separate classes. In Sydney they have added a olothing class, but that would not be necessary in New Zealand, and the judges are appointed for tho class they are most conversant with. Climate seemß to be the principal thing which decides the bresdar of the merino sheep in the choics of the variety he means to breed. So far as can be ascertained one class is bb profitable as the other, provided that tho conditions under which each are grown are favourable to itself. In New Zealand wo find merino fheep reared under very different circumstances, and in very different climates. A sheep that would be profitable in the ono would not be profitable in tho other, and, therefore, we find that the two varioties exist in Now Zealand, and, what is more, both varieties have been brought to a very high state of perfection by tho skill nnd judgment of their owners, combined with a very large expenditure. It is very discouraging to breeders who have at a great cost established a good flock of either variety to find that at your annual show they havo to compete with an entirely different animal from that on which their care has been bestowed, their chances of success being governod entirely by the accident in the choice of prizes a 9 to whether they or the majority of. them prefer one variety to the other, for with animals co different there exist no means of fair comparison. All this may be obviated by dividing merinos into two classes — strong and fine combing. The utility of your Show, so far m merinos is concornod, would bo greatly increased, and I believe also tho number of classes. Within bounds, I might suggest that a less number of classes in each variety might be miide. I am aware lhat no change can be mado in your programme for this year, but I would respectfully recommend your Committee to consider the effect end working of tho present, system, with a view to making the reasonable alterations that arc demanded by ull breeders of merino sheep. — I remain, &c, J. D. Lanck." The Committee resolved to acknowledge tho letter, and referred it to the Catalogue Committee. JOINT TICKETS. Mr liitt on bohalt of the Horticultural Society waited on the Committee with the gUKgoeti'jn that tickets at a tlightly reduced price should be issued to admit visitors to ull the Shows. The Committee after hearing Mr hitt, explain his BcheniOj said they would take it into consideration. Mr Isitt thanked them and withdrew. Tho Committoe discu3sed the proposition, and finally rejected it. FINANCR. Accounts to the amount of £192 14j wero phased for payment. Aftor disposing tf a quantity of executive businoEß ia connection with tho coming Show, the mooting closed.