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Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9478, 31 July 1879, Page 3

having decided to strike off the names of all doubtful members accounts for the Blight deorease. It is to be regretted that in a pastoral district like Wanganui a Society of this kind does not receive greater support, as the number of members (180) bears no proportion to the capabilities of the district. An Agricultural Society in a district like Wanganui would be expected to receive greater sup* port than we at present receive. . During the year the Society held its annual show on the Bth November, the day before the Spring Meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club. The show passed off most successfully, and may be considered as the best the Society has ever . had, both on account of the number and quality of the .exhibits and the attendance of the public. In the Cattle Class the exhibits numbered 64, as against 66 in 1877. Of horses the entries were 88, as againat 94 in 1877, and of sheep the entries were 99, as against 66 in 1877. The other entries numbered 207, against 182 of the previous year, .In one case only did the exhibits of the past year show a decrease, via., in, that of horses, and the . principal class showing a falling off has been that of ladies' hacks and roadsters, of which there is certainly no want in the district. , The decision of the judges appeared to give the greatest satisfaction in all classes, and this could, have been foreseen, as the gentlemen who acted are some, of the very best that the Colony possesses. The judges were Messrs Bishop, Heslop, Twigg, and McHardie, of Napier ; Messrs Hastwell, Drummond, and JWcMasters, Wairarapa j and Messrs Vavasour and Hately, of Taranaki.

Your . Committee have again to express regret that the medals have not come to hand, and much disappointment has been felt, though the fault has not been with the committee or the manufacturer. Mr Tuetenberg, of Auckland, agreed to make the medals, and had a die made for the purpose, but after two impressions the die cracked, and became useless. A second one was made and shared the same fate, and after much delay the Secretary informed Mr Tuetenberg that he would proceed- elsewhere for the medals. In the meantime Mr Tuetenberg made another die, and sent samples of the medals in bronze, at the same time begging the Committee not to throw the order out of his hands, as the loss already incurred was about £38. As the medals were really good, the Committee decided to give him another chance, and the order is now nearly completed, including the engraving. Your , Committee beg to suggest to their successors in office that active steps should be taken, previous to the next show, to amalgamate the Rangitikei and Waverley districts with Wanganui, and have one show for the whofe district! With the facility afforded by the railway there can be no difficulty in exhibits being brought to one common centre, and it is to-be hoped that some arrangements can be made by which the district can not only exhibit stock against local competition, bat against stock from a greater district.

In conclusion, your Committee trust that members will do their utmost to forward the interests of the Society by inducing their friends to become members, and that Btockowners will assist by sending in their stock to compete at the annual show." The Chairman said that the report was very satisfactory, and the suggestion .of incorporation a good one. A small area was not condueire to competition, and it would be a great gain if the country districts would amalgamate. Mr Russell stated that at the previous Marton meeting Mr Watt had said that the local body would be glad to join Wanganui, and hand to the Society the balance of their funds. On the motion «of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Peat, the report was adopted. ' TBEASUREB 8 EEPORT. Mr Sommervill© then stated that the receipts for the past year were £349 13s 3d, and the expenditure £419 12s 6d. He reminded the meeting that £196 of the expenditure was for liabilities connected ■with the previous year's work, The amount paid to the judges, £154, was a heavy item, but the money was well spent, because good judges were the foundation of success. The total liabilities at present were^£2B9 13a 6d, and the assets amounted to £86, represented by subscriptions due in August last. They W.ere all good, and certain to be paid, but everyone knew the difficulty of collecting these small amounts. There were also the ahow yards, but these had not been estimated. Some remarks were made on the large anm for printing, but the Treasurer explained the printer's bills included books which had been given away 8B psizes. It was considered, too, that those membera who had not paid th«ir subscriptions were not acting fairlj by those who had. The report on being put to the meeting by the Chairman, was adopted. ELECTION OP PRESIDENT, &C. Mr Harrison thought that it would be for the interests of the Society that some one should be eleoted who could give more time to the business than himself. Mr Heslop regretted that Mr Harrison did not wish to be re-nominated, and proposed that as he had taken so great an interest in the work, Mr Harrison Should be elected a patron of the Society. He thought that Mr Pharazyn would make a good President as he waa near town and could easily attend meetings. With regard to Committee, there had been a considerable difficulty in getting together a quorum during the past year, and he hoped that the new committee would be able to give more time to the Society. Mr Owen supported the last speaker, and added that if Rangitikei and Waverley would join Wanganui the Society would become in a few years one of the most important .in the colony. Mr H. S. Harrison was then eleoted a patron of the Society, and Mr John Cameron was simirlarly honored. The election of officers for the coming year resulted as follows : — President, Mr Pharazyn; Vice-President, Mrjttobertson; Committee, Messrs Craig, Heslop, Owen, E. A. Campbell, Jno. Morgan, Jas. Baker, H. A. Harrison, F. R. Jackson, and Jno. Duthie. Mr Sommerville tendered Jiia resig« nation as Secretary owing to his numerous other duties and the demands of his own business. ,'.,__ j. The Committee decided to meet on Wednesday, the Xl3thX 13th August, at 2.30 p.m. The meeting then broke up.

We understand the ratepayers of Sfc Hill - Street are going to .claim a remission of rates during the time their property is* being lessened in, value lay the tramway passing down the street. There can be no doubt bnt that the constant passing o£ ballast trains through the street will damage it as a business thoroughfare; and those whose premises are affected will sofler loss by the trains passing by., . •;