CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5666, 10 September 1896, Page 3

CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

'■* ■' ■ • o • .. ■ ■ ( ; MEETING; OF COMMITTEE. ■ An ordinary' meeting of the committee of the "Canterbury A. and P. Association was 'held this afternoon; present — Messrs R. Heaton Rhodes (president), S. Garforth, E. G. Staveley, H. Overton, J. Andersen, ;jun., jD; M'Millan, J. ...T. Ford, E. M. Macdonald, G-. Gould, H. P. MurrayAynsley, W. Henderson, G. Rhodes,. Sir John ; Hall, Sir George Clifford and Dr Levinge. Apologies were received from Messrs Archer, Kinsey and -Duncan. CORRESPONDENCE. The following was read: — Prom Mrs P. Cunningham, thanking the committee for its resolution of sympathy with her and her family on the death of Mr Cunningham. From' the committee of the Otago Agricultural and PastoraL Association, forwarding a copy of resolutions passed by the committee, and requesting the support of the Canterbury Association. (1) Expressing the opinion that legislation in the direction of imposing an annual liceuse fee on stallions would benefit breeders and farmers, and tend to improve horse stock. (2) Recommending that an annual fee of .£ls should be imposed on all entires used for stud purposes, ancl that no stallion should be allowed to stanxl, travel or" parade unless it had been inspected by a qualified veterinary surgeon and a certificate obtained by the owner that the animal is free from hereditary unsoundness. (3) That the amount so raised, after deducting the cost of veterinary examination, should be appropriated for giving prizes to horses and their progeny at the Agricultural Shows. (4) That the Minister of Agriculture should be asked to give the matter careful consideration. Sir John Hall said ,that the matter had been before the committee on several occasions; on the . last time at the . instance, of the Hawke's Bay Association, and the conclusion come .to was that although a tax on stallions was desirable, public opinion was not ripe for its adoption. He thought that the tax was a very good thing, but there was no probability of its being imposed yet. After some discussion it was decided to refer the matter to the Horse Committee, to report at the next meeting. From Captain Snow, of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, asking for the use of the Show ground from Oct. 11 to 17 for a week's training of the corps. He offered a £5 5s cup as a prize from the corps for the best horse at the Metropolitan Show suitable for a troop horse. It was decided to grant the use of the ground on the same conditions as to the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. The prize offered by Captain Snow was accepted with thanks. From the Shropshire Sheep Breede-0' Association, England, forwarding a gold medal, to be awarded in the Shropshire classes at the forthcoming show. The Secretary stated that a letter of thanks had been sent to the Shropshire Association. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to .£22 93 6d were passed for payment. APPOINTMENT OP TREASURER. The sub-commifctee appointed to consider the subject of the appointment pf a treasurer presented a schedule of the duties of the office, and reported that applications had been advertised for, and nine applications received, 'i ha committee recommended that Mr A. A. M'Kellar, secretary of the Canterbury Saleyards Company, should be appointed. . On the motion of the President, seconded by Mr Henderson, Mr M'Kellar was appointed treasurer of the Association. The schedule of duties of the office was approved, with the addition of a clause that the engagement should be terminable at three months' notice. GROUND COMMITTEE. The Ground Committee presented a repoit to the effect that it had been decided to erect thirteen pens along the eastern fence Bft by 6ft, and a double row of thirteen pens running parallel to the fence with a space of ten feet between the rows of pens and a passage of 10ft outside the double row. The caretaker had been instructed to take up all the old pens in order to ascertain how much of the timber could again be used. The /committee had inspected the front entrance, when it was suggested that a footpath should be formed running along the wall and parallel to it, to be 20ft wide. The matter had not been fully decided upon. Mr Garforth stated that ifc had been found that more of [the timber of the old pens would be available than had been expected. It might be advisable, under the circumstances, to do the work by day labour. The question of whether the work of erecting the pens should be done by contract or day labour was left to the Ground Committee. j Mr R. M. Macdonald said that it would be much better to put a stone kerbing to delimitate the footpath at the entrance to the grounds, rather than to merely erect posts: The Riccar,ton Road Board would be more likely to contribute to the cost of a permanent work like a kerbing. Mr Murray-Aynsley moved — " That the matter be referred to the Grpund Committee with power to act." He thought that the committee were much the best judges of what was best to be done. After some discussion, the motion was seconded by Mr Ford, and carried unanimously. THE METROPOLITAN SHOW. The committee appointed a number of j gentlemen as judges at the Metropolitan Show. • It was decided to hold a parade of stock at the show.