W.D.A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Western Star, Issue 988, 7 October 1885, Page 2

W.D.A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

The Committee of the Association met at Foster's Hall, Tbornbury, yesterday afteruoou, when there were present: Messrs *L Mclntyre, (President), in the chairflHamilton, Sutton, Calder, Baird, .T. Walker, Hazlett, Officer, Poster, Hudson, and Fullarton.

A letter was read from Mr Gr. Featherstone,. tendering his resignation as Secretary, on account of his removal to Invercargill precluding him fulfilling the duties satisfactorily. Tne Chairman said he had tried to persuade Mr Featherstone to continue in office until after the show, but he could not see his way clear. .The Association had had a great deal of faithful service from Mr Featherstone, hnd it was unfortunate that his resignation had come mat so in opportune a time.

Mr Hamilton moved that the resignation be accepted with regret Mr Featherstone had got thoroughly into the routine of the work, which he carried out well, and acted in a courteouo and obliging manner to all.

The motion was seconded by Mr Sutton and earned. Mr Fulhrfon consented to a"t as Secretary in the meantime, and it was decided that applications be called to fi'l the vacancy, to be sent in to Mr Fullarton on or before 14th inst. ; it wax also agreed that tenders be invited up to same date for the supply of 400 hurdles and 70 gates, and that a meeting of Committee bo held the day following to deal with same and other matters.

The next business was to consider whether or not a show should be held this year. The Chairman said the Assoeiati"ii had so far embarked on the scheme, and he thought they should eon'inue to carry it out. They had succeeded so far in making the grain show and ploughing matches as good as they could well be, ami when they got the stock in the district equally improved, they might rest on their oars; but although they had done a good deal in that direction there was good room for improvement. Mr Hamilton moved that a show be held as usual. Sprue; that ib had been so successful hitherto, it would be a pity to let it lapse. It was an institution of great importance,to the district and had proved a benefit. J) - ! fepitt* tbp eiialiug depression, he

thought the show would be a success. Mr Calder seconded the motion. Mr "Walter, while not opposed to holding the show, was afraid that on account of the dull times it would be h.u-d to get money this year, unless ihe entry money were raised and that would p'obably reduce tho number of entries. He thought it would be better to let the sh >w lapse this year. Mr Sutton did not think they could •jet th» s.lOll srnrmfc of 'subscriptii>n« as they got last year. Could the prizps be lowered and the entrance money raised ?.

The Chairman thought that was a matter for the Committee to decide.

To te>t the feeling of the meeting Mr Hazlett move I an amendment, That no show be held this year. Seconded by Mr Walker. Mr Hamilton admitted the depression, still he thought money was not the sole consideration with exhibitors, and the honor a man got by taking a prize carried weight. The A ssociation would not need to go to the same expense this year, and the prizes could be reduced. It would be a great pity to discontinue the show. With regard to tho Invercargill show th«» speaker thought the W. D. Association should sign a protest against the Invercargill show being continued for iwo days, seeing that it compelled people to keep their stock in town for two days. Mr "Walker thought that if the prizes were reduced the effect would bo to reduce the number of entries and the attendance. A great manv people looked to the dollars as well as tho honor of being a prize-taker. Still, if it were decided to have a show, he hoped they would all put their shoulto the wheel and try to make it a success.

The Chairmnn thought it was a bad thing to keep calling out "depression.' It was for the people to raise the colony out of its dull state, and not for the colony to raise the people. The question was then pnt, when there voted for the amendment, 2; against, 9. The motion was therefore dec'ared carried. The question of the date of the show wa<« thf n discussed, and it was decided to hold it on the Tuesday be'ore the Invercargill show. The following gentlemen were elected a Yard Committee : The President, Messrs M. Instone, Baird, Collie, Hazlett., Hopcroft, and Hamilton. Stewards.—Horses : Messrs Baird, Hudson, Hazlett, and Cullen. Sheep : Messrs Collie, E. 'Robertson, and J. Deacon. Cattle: Messrs Lindsay, J. Walker, W. Walker, and D. Younger. Bigs, Poultry, and Dairy .Produce: Messrs Turnbull, Eraser, and J. Officer. The judges in all the different departments were also appointed. A committee was appointed to revise the programme, to report at next meeting. Mr Hamilton suggested that the Committee should ask the Southland Association to hold one day's show only, but the members present thought the matter was one in which they shou'd not officially interfere, the Chairman suggesting that those who were members thereof could bring the matter before the Southland Society in the usual course. Mr Walker suggested that the Committee should communicate with the Minister for Justice with respect to the appointment of a justice of peace for the district". The removal of Dr Hodgkinson and Mr Instone left the district without a J.P., which was at times tho caus-e of very great inconvenience to settler*. Consideration of the matter was left over till a future meeting. This eoucluded the business, and the Committee adjourned tillloth inst.