CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5514, 14 March 1896, Page 6

CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

- o ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held last evening, in the rooms of the Caledonian Society. The chair was occupied by the President, Mr E. G. Staveley, and there were about seventy members and several visitors from other parts present. The President, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that his term of office had been more than usually eventful. He was glad to place on record the permanent improvements that Had' been Sdded to the grounds, chief amongst which was the grand stand. • A good deal yet remained to be done, however, before they could reap the full benefit .'from" having 1 -a grand stand: ■■• Matters 'should lie so arranged that something of ■ interest took place in front of the standthroughout the day. Much of the judging could be carried through so as to afford its occupants a fair view of the proceedings, and parades of the various classes of stock could not fail to be a great attraction to all concerned. The Wellington Association had decided to offer a large sum of money, some .£350, for special champion prizes in the various classes, and efforts were being made to initiate a sort of peripatetic metropolitan show, so that it behoved them to-be up and doing to maintain the foremost position that their Association had hitherto held. Their own winter show was, as yet, in embryo, but from the hearty manner in which the project had been received he, for one, entertained no doubt of its success. It liad lately come within bis knowledge that sheep from this colony were prohibited (under some old statute) from landing in Tasmania, and he trusted that Government would take immediate steps to have the restriction removed. Though personally opposed to legislative interference wittr private enterprise, he' must admit that, in view of the , fierce competition existing between the colony and other producing countries to supply- food to the teeming masses of the Old World, a proper system of grading and inspection at the port of shipment might have most beneficial results.The frozen nieat trade contimyed to expand vigorously, and factories, liko cyclists, were undergoing a mania for record-breaking. It was satisfactory to learn from no less an authority than Mr John Cooke that Australian rivalry was not likely to destroy •their hold of the market, but in this, as in all our other productions, the motto for New Zealand should be "prime quality only." Owing to the severity of the winter it was estimated that in the Canterbury district alone the mortality of sheep was some 300,000, chiefly merinoes. The immediate effect upon the wool clip was considerable, while the revenue from pastoral properties would for some years to come be materially reduced. By the Pastoral Tenants Belief Act, the Government had given substantial assistance to those chiefly affected, and the present tone of the wool market afforded promise for better returns for the remaining portions of the clips. The harvest up to a certain point had promised to be one of the best seen in Canterbury, but the summer ended with a series of nor^ westers and dry weather which prematurely ripened the grain. The surplus of wheat for export from the colony had beenroughly estimated at over 1,000,000 bushels. In many respecte the past season had been satisfactory. Prices for live stock had been well maintained, and recent rains had given better promise of winter feed. He would draw attention to the fact that in South Canterbury there was evidence that the rabbit pest should at once be dealt with, as prevention was better (and cheaper) than cure. During the year certain newspaper correspondents had endeavoured to disparage the general utility of the Association, but he was convinced that they had but slight knowledge of the work that was carried on, or of the high aims and unselfish devo--1 tion of those' actively connected with it. When he addressed them last year the Association was- without a president, but they had remedied that defect by appointing himself, and it would give him some satisfaction to hand over the responsibility to Mr Heaton Rhodes, who, from his posi- '< tion and influence, would be able to advance ; the interests of the Association. It seemed probable that they would shortly lose the services of the honorary treasurer, Mr David Craig, who had served the Association for many, years. No one had devoted himself more to their interests, and it would be difficult to fill his place. For himself he could only affirm that he looked upon the presidency of the Association as the highest honour he was ever likely to receive. He had always had the interest of the Association at heart, and had endeavoured to make that the paramount consideration in all its dealings throughout the year, including the "battle of the stands." He thanked the members of the committee for the way in which they had supported him during Ms term of .office. Mr John Grigg seconded the motion; which was carried. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr R. H. Rhodes; vice-presi-dent, Mr P. Duncan; committee, Messrs F. A. Archer, John Anderson jun., H. P. Murray - Aynsley, W. Boag, P. Cunningham, John Deans, John Ferguson, J. T. Ford, S. Garforth, John Grigg, George Gotild, W. Henderson, J. J. Kinsey, Fred C. Murray, D. McMillan, R. M. Macdonald, H. Overton, George Rhodes, W. Recce, E. G. Staveley, Dr E. G. Levinge, . Hon J. T. Peacock, Sir GeorgeClifford ana Sirw John Hall, K.C.M.G.; auditors, Messrs T. B. Craig and C. G. Aikman (re-elected); treasurer, Mr D. Craig- (re-elected). ' -'•■"'- v '• The sum of .£4OOO was placedat the disposal of the committee for general expenses during the ensuing year. The Hon J. T. Peacock, who acted as one of the timekeepers at the ram fair, said there had been considerable dissatisfaction expressed at the time taken up with the stud rams. A suggestion had been made that the entrance fee in that class should be raised to prevent time being wasted over unworthy animals which shoxtld have been in the flock classes. Another remedy suggested was that the reserves on stud rams should be disclosed, and then less time would be. wasted in dealing with them. MrJ.GriggsuggesteAthatif nostudrams were allowed to be sold under five guineas, it would reduce the entry and expedite matters. In his opinion the flock rams should be sold first, as it was well known that whilst the stud rams were being offered a number of the flock sorts were being sold privately. He also suggested that it would be in the interests of both buyer and seller if the fair were held two or three weeks later. Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley moved— "That it be an instruction to the incoming committee to consider the advisability of. selling the flock rams on the first day and the stud rams on the second day, the minimum price of the latter as stud ranis to be fixed by the committee.Mr P. Pattullo, in seconding' the motion, said he thought" it would be a great con- ■ yeniehce ~tb buyers if they knew previously what class of vanis would be sold on each day, so that those who wanted certain breeds would be able to know when to go to the fair, and it would save time. Sir John Hall did- not see why three minutes should be allowed for selling stud rams and only two minutes for flock. A desultory discussion took place, and the motion was carried. Mr J. M. Furze suggested that a class for fat half-bred sheep should be included in the catalogue for the midwinter show. On the motion of Sir John Hall, a hearty vote of thanks was carried to the retiring ■ resident (Mr E. G. Staveley) fox* his services during the past year, and the meeting closed.