ELLESMERE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 239, 16 March 1875, Page 4

ELLESMERE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A committee meeting of this association was held at Loe’s Leeston Hotel, on Friday, 12th March. Present—Messrs W. J. G. Bluett (in the chair), Frankish, Qillett, Acland, Rennie, and Osborne. The annual report submitted by the subcommittee was, with some slight modifications, adopted. The annual general meeting was then held, at which the members of the association mustered in good numbers. Mr W. J. G. Bluett, president of the association, in the chair. The minutes of the preceding committee meeting, as also those of the last annual general meeting, having been read and confirmed, the chairman called upon the secretary to read the annual report, which was as follows: — “ The committee of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association beg to submit the following report of their transactions for the past year — “ Owing to the alteration in the date of the Christchurch show, and wishing to afford increased facilities to exhibitors of having the merits of their stock judged in their respective districts prior to the parent show, it was deemed expedient by this as well as by the majority of up-country associations, to fix the date of show earlier than usual. It was therefore decided to hold the show on the 29 th October, in lieu of a later date as formerly. “ The following is an abstract of entries received in 1873 and 1874 respectively:—

In point of numbers the entries were fewer than those of last year, but as far as quality was concerned, a marked improvement was perceptible, “ The treasurer’s accounts have been dulj audited by Messrs Loe and Laurence, and are laid no the tabic for inspection.

“ You will find that there is a small overdraft to be met, owing to the large expenditure in improvements, such as enlarging the cattle yards and planting and fencing a belt round the grounds, the deeds of which have been legally transferred to the association during the past year ; and it is recommended that application should be made to the Government for a railway siding on to the grounds of the association, which will help to enable us to utilise the same in the course of time as a public market. “ The total failure in the seed already sown is much to be regretted, but immediate steps will have to be taken to insure a good growth of gums and other trees during the ensuing season. “ You will find that the £2OO advanced to the association by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, on the security of the names of ten of your members, falls due in October, and that the several sums set apart as the nucleus of a sinking fund for liquidating this debt have been appropriated to defray current expenses, and it will be the duty of the new committee to devise some means for liquidating the whole or part of this advance; although in answer to inquiries made by the president on the subject, a communication has been received from the manager, who offers to continue the present loan for two years longer at an interest rate of 8 per cent per annum, and subject to our paying off any portion within the prescribed time. In reference to this subject the retiring committee would recommend that in future suras of money, voted for that purpose, should be passed through a trust account, and further that life members’ tickets should be eligible upon payment of £5 5s a year for two years, as well as by one payment of £lO as heretofore. “ ,\s will be seen by the treasurer’s balance sheet, through the instrumentality of your president, £SO out of the Government grant has been received by the association. “ During the past year eight committee meetings have been held, and a vast amount of work has been got through by the officers of the association, assisted by Messrs Gillett, Osborne, and Sandrey as a ground committee, and Messrs Laurence and Acland as a yard committee. “It is the opinion of the retiring committee that immediate steps be taken to enable the association to derive the greatest possible advantage by the lease of their grounds, but whether it is desirable to let the same for a number of years or for short periods, will be for the incoming committee to judge. “ The offices of treasurer and secretary have been filled by Messrs Rennie and Lewis respectively, and it will now remain for you to proceed to the election of a president, treasurer, secretary, and a committee of twelve, which is the prescribed number according to clause 5 of the rules of the association. “ The present committee, however, deem it expedient, and beg to suggest, that the following alterations be made—viz, ‘ that four vice-presidents should be elected in lien of one, and that the working committee should be increased to the number of twenty, thereby enabling the association to avail itself of the assistance of a body of men representing increased experience and more varied opinions, results which, it is to be hoped, will tend to increase the interest taken in our efforts by the inhabitants of the district.’ ” The adoption of the report and balance sheet was tacitly acquiesced in. The election of officers was then proceeded with. Mr Marshall proposed, and Mr Stevens seconded, that Mr W. J. G. Bluett be reelected president. In answer to which, Mr Bluett stated that it had been his wish to retire from the presidency, which office he had held ever since the association had been started ; not that he was unwilling to act, but that the association might derive the benefit of new blood. Messrs Acland, Gillet, and Lawrence were then nominated, but furnishing the meeting with reasons for which they declined to act, and it being the unanimous wish of the members that Mr Bluett should reconsider his determination, that gentleman at length consented to act for another year. It wns resolved that four vice-presidents should be elected instead o one. The following gentlemen were then duly elected— Mr R. Gillett, proposed by Mr Frankish, seconded by Mr Acland. Mr A. Frankish, proposed by Mr Sandrey, seconded by Mr Marshall. Mr T, Acland, proposed by Mr Bishop, seconded by Mr Gillett. Mr W. D. Lawrence, proposed by Mr Stevens, seconded by Mr Frankish, Mr J. Rennie was re-elected treasurer, and Mr James Lewis secretary. Mr Acland, in proposing that “(The working committee should consist of twenty members,” recommended that judgment should be used in choosing gentlemen who not only had the well-being of the association at heart, but who were willing, by putting their shoulders to the wheel, to assist in advancing the common interests, Mr Lawrence seconded the proposition. Mr Sandrey proposed the following amendment—“ That the original number should be adhered to, After some considerable discussion had taken place on the subject, the chairman proceeded to put the amendment to the meeting, which was, however, lost on the voices, only three being in favor of its adoption ; he therefore declared the original resolution carried. The following gentlemen were then elected as a working committee; Messrs W. Bishop, G. B. Woodman. D. Moorhead, J. Osborne, R. Lockhead, G. Sandrey, D, Marshall, Smithson, Barnett, G. Stevens, J. Boag, W. G. Lunn, H. P. Hill, J. Cunningham, M. S. Campbell, John Dilloway, W. Graham, C. Bourn, C. J, Bridge, and J. J. Loe. It was resolved that the grounds of the Association be definitely let for a period of three years, and that a sub-committee be appointed to draw up a draft of agreement for lease of same, and that the secretary be instructed to post up advertisements requesting tenders for lease of the paddock. The committee to consist of the president, vice-president, and treasurer. It was resolved—“ That a committee meeting be held next sale day, to take in consideration matters of detail in connection with the Association.” A vote of thanks to the retiring officers was carried, and the meeting adjourned.

1873. 1874 Sheep ... ... 54 ... 71 Cattle ... 63 ... 41 Horses ... 83 ... 66 Pigs ... 14 ... 10 Implements ... ... 3 7 Dairy Produce ... 23 ... 20 Total ... 240 ... 215