WAIRARAPA AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3292, 2 September 1871, Page 3

WAIRARAPA AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

[Fkom Oub Special Repobteb.] On Monday lasfc, August 28th, a general public meeting was hold at fche British Volunteer Hotel, Greytown, for the purpose of establishing a Pastoral, Agricultural, and Horticultural Association in the district, and for tho transaction of business connected witb that object. On tho motion of Major Smith, seconded by Mr Rokel, C. Pharazyn, Esq, J.P., was unanimously called to tho chair. The Chairman expressed his satisfaction afc the steps which had been fcaken to form an Agrioultural Association in the district, about the desirability of which there could be no doubt. He would cull upon Major Smith, who had taken great interest; in the Bubjoct, to movo fche firsfc resolution. Major Smith said that he was happy to inform the Chairman and the meoting that there wore others, particularly Mr Rokel, who had taken quito as great interest, in the movement ns himself. It had originated at Masterton, where ono or two pr.liminary meetings had been lield. Otlier associations of a kindred character had been communicated with, and a number of rules had been framed for fche government of fche association, and fov the do finition of its objects, which afc a fu. uro stage he would submit to the meeting. They had been printed in the " Mercury," in order that all settlers who took an interest in fche movement, and who attended the meeting, mighthave time lo consider thorn before-hand, and be prepared with any alterations or suggestions that they might wish to propose. No arguments were required to show the advantages which would result from fcho successful establishment of such an association. Societies of a similar character existed in almost every locality in Australia, and had beon found extremely useful. There were also flourishing agricultural associations in many parts of this colony, and others were from timo to time springing up, which was an indication thafc tho public of New Zoaland were becoming alivo to the advantages which associations were capablo of conferring. The subject had been mooted more than onco iv the Wairarapa, and the initiatory steps had been taken for the formation of au association, bufc owing to the want of proper organisation it had fallen to the ground. Ho felfc great hopes that tho present movement; would bo more successful, for though their present meoting was a small one, he was in a position to state with some degree of confidence, that gre.it interest; was taken in tho object they had in view, by influential settlers resident in the district and in other parts of tho proviuce. This would be seen, by the number of those who had already enrolled themselves as subscribers, as well as by the amounts of some of fcho subscriptions. Never before had the privilege of membership been pufc at so low a figure, bufc tho object waß to secure as largo a number of members as possible* and tliey could then tvust to other sources for increasing fcho value of tho prizes whicli it might; bo determined fco award afc their exhibitions. He thought that had such an association been establi.hed before, thoy would not havo witnessed lho strange anomaly of flour and oats boing brought infco the district, tho produce of ofcher portions of fcho colony. Such an association as fchafc now contemplated would soon put a stop to- such an evil, and would confer other benefits of still greater importance The district was nofc only in a backward slate as regarded its agriculture, but there was a great absence of anything liko system in tho breeding and management of stock. Such an association would bo tbo means of remedying this evil. - Another legitimate and perhaps mire important object of the association would bo tho development of the natuval and artificial roi sources of tho district. By increasing it._ population and its industrial resources, the objects ' of moat preserving companies would bo sooured, not by moat preservation, but by meat consumption, which of tho two would prove the most profitable to fche stock-owner. He did , nofc wish by thoso reinavka to throw cold i water on thab movement, but merely to indi- > cato thafc thero was anothor way of effecting i their object. Groat bonefits might result i from fche establishment of meat export com l panics, but it was a moro important object to

adopt means which would introduce and settle in tho district a large working population, when all tho meat which was now waiting exportation would probably be required for home consumption. He would conoludo by moving the adoption of bhe following resolution : — _ That ifc is desirable to form in this disfcriefc a Bocioty to be called " The Wairarapa and Easfc Coast Pastoral, Agricultual, and Horfcitural Association." ' „__,,. This resolution was seconded by Mr Rokel, and, after, some discussion, was adopted. Major Smith then moved tho adoption of the rules, which had been already printed. Ifc would be seen that ifc was proposed to hold quarterly meetings of the oommittee alternately at Greytown and Masterton, and that fche exhibitions ofthe association should also be held alternately afc tho two places. The Chairman said thafc it was the first fcimo he had seen the rules, and regretted thafc fchey had nofc been more widely circulated. Mr Barton said that he had never seeu fchem beforo, and suggested that they should be read to tho meeting. This was accordingly done, and, after a few slight amendments had been made, they were unanimously adopted. j Major Smith proposed, and Mr Rokel seconded the propo -ition, thafc tho Hon. G. M. Waterhouse be elected President of the Association. Carried. After some discussion, Major Smith, Mr John Russell, Mr C Pharazyn, Mr R. Barton, and, on this gentleman declining to stand, Mr C. 11. Bidwell, were successively proposed as Vice Presidents. Ultimately a ballot was taken, which resulted in tho election of J. V. Smith, Esq., J.P., and 0. R. Bidwell, Esq., J. P., as Vice Presidents. Major Smith returned thanks, and said that no effort should bo wanting on his parfc to make the Association a success. Mr Rokel proposed that R. Collins, Esq , be appointed Treasurer. He stated that several subscription lists had boen placed in the hands of parties, who had become members of the Provisional Committee, and ho was happy to say fchafc the oue he had, contained promised subscriptions to fche amount of upwards of £80. Moro than £100 had been already promised, and additional subscriptions would be forthcoming from Wellington as soon as the Association had been stnrted. Mr Collins had been Secretary and Treasurer of a similar Association in Wellington. Tho proposition was seconded by Major Smith, and carried ncm. con. The following gontlomen were unanimously elected on the Committee :•— Messrs W. H. Donald, Rokel, J. -C. Andrew, C. Pharazyn, W. H. Beetham, C. Gundy, H. Bunny, H. H. Jackson, T. Kempton, W. L. Lucena, F. Maunsell, J. Bennett, H. Bannister, J. Russell, and H. S. Wardell. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.