W. D. A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Western Star, Issue 1576, 4 July 1891, Page 2

W. D. A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

The Committee met at Foster’s Hotel, Thorn bury, yesterday afternoon, when Messrs Calder (President) Younger, S. G. Instonc, Haekworth, R. Foster, Fullarton and Jones were present. A letter was read from John Walker, resigning his appointment as member of the Committee. Regret was expressed that Mr Walker was compelled to relinquish his duties as

I committeeman on account of his bad health, and tbe resignation was acI cepted. . . From Mr R. Cupples, declining to ! act as collector for tbe grain show, as tbe amounts collected by tlie various collectors for the late cattle show were I not advertised. —The letter was received. From Mr K. Fraser returning the list sent to him for collecting subscriptions to grain show, and suggesting that country members should be appointed to canvass tbe town of Riverton. —Received. The judges for dairy produce at the late grain show wrote in reply to a letter from the secretary, asking them to give their reasons for not awarding prizes for ornamental butter. —Mr Meredith said, that apart from the quality of the butter (which was not taken into consideration), they did not think the exhibits were worthy of a prize. They would prefer to enter into further details regarding the matter, but if the Committee strongly desired, they were fully prepared to give their reasons for arriving at tho decision given.—Mr Stirling wrote to a similar effect. —Mr Fnflarton did not think that any good would result from inquiring further • into the matter.— The President thought that unless they knew the judges’ reasons for withholding tho prizes, their decision was likely to act prejndically against future competitions in ornamental butter. — Mr lustone moved, That the letter be received, and that the judges be asked to kindly state the reasons for their decision. The mover said it might be a guide to the Comm'fttee in future in making rules regarding ornamental butter exhibits.—Carried, Tho following letter from the Inspector of Stock was held over for consideration at next meeting : The Agricultural ami Pastorrl Societies of the colony have received a circular memo, from tho Hon. Minister of Agriculture, asking for an expression of any views tho Societies may have in regard of such subjects as m y be deemed to benefit either agricultural or pastoral industries. Accompanying this circular is one from the Oceanic Steamship Company re regulations concerning the importation into 'ho United States of live stock from New Zealand and tho Australian colonies. The complaint appears to be that there is no official stud nr herd book either in New Zealand or Australia, and thelaw of tho United States roads: “ Any animal imported specially for breeding purposes shal( be admitted free, provided that no such animal shall be admitted free unless pure bred of a recognised brood and duly registered in tbo hook of records established for that breed ; and, provided further, that certificate of such record au 1 of tho pedigree of such animal shall be produced and submitted to the customs officer, duly authenticated by the nroper custodian of such book of record.” In order, therefore, to claim exemption from duty, the importer must produce his certificate from the keeper of record, showing the proper pedigree of the animals imported, and certifying that such record is kept, and this cortificato should refer to tbe stud or herd hook of tbo particular breed in question. Tho importance of this to our breeders of pure bred stock is self evident. Tbe following special prizes were allocated as under : —Lady’s bonnet, value £l, presented by Messrs Thomson and Beattie, to Mrs A. Gilchrist for highest aggregate in butter. Six butter boxes by Messrs Gutbrie and Co., to Misses M. and F. Roskrugo and .Tanc Mclntyae for ornamental butter. Brush and edmb, value 12s, by Mr C. McAllister, to Messrs Stewart and Harper for highest aggregate in poultry. Pair vases, value ss, by Mr A. Blacke, to Mrs Fletcher for highest aggregate in oat cake and scones. The Treasurer (Mr Fullarfcon) reported that all tho subscription lists had not yet boon returned, bat he estimated there would be a surplus from the grain show of about £ls. A vote of thanks was accorded to all who subscribed to tho grain show and also to tho judges and stewards of same. Mr Instone moved, That the resolu--1 (don deciding that no ploughing match should bo held this year be rescinded. He did not think these competitions had been very expensive to the Association, and they should not be allowed to drop so long as they did not lose money over them. Mr Hack worth seconder); It was discovered at this stage that the Committee were without a quorum, Mr Foster having loft the room. The motion consequently fell to the ground, and the meeting were unable to transact any further business,