26 PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS. 



Mr Hope said that he was sorry to appear a little tenacious on the point, Init his 

 motion was to secure that the chemist ot the Society should analyse for its members at 

 a low rate, as was done by other associations. He had not the slightest objection to 

 the directors so subsidising and using that subsidy as they thought fit, if they chose 

 to use it in such a way as the farmers could get the benefit. 



Mr Dudgeon, Longnewton, said he had been long connected with an agricultural 

 society such as that referred to by Mr Hope. He had no sympathy with the directors, 

 as he thought they conducted the Society in rather a hole-and-corner manner. But he 

 thought it would be very unfair that the Society should adopt a hasty motion of this 

 kind, making it compulsory, in a measure, on the directors to adopt a certain course. 

 It might take the wind altogether out of the sails of the local associations. He thought 

 these were doing an incalculable benefit to the agriculture of Scotland at present ; and 

 it would be important if this matter were referred to the directors or some other com- 

 mittee to draw up a defined motion, rather than that they should carry one of this sort 

 in a hasty kind of way. 



The noble Chairman — As there is a good deal of difference of opinion on the sub- 

 ject, the only way to decide it is to jjut the question before the meeting and di\ide 

 upon the motions. 



The motion of Mr Hope was carried by a majority of hands being held up in its 

 favour, although as many as ninety-six voted for the amendment of Mr Smith. 



ExcouRAGEMEXT TO IMPLEMENT MAKERS. — ^Mr CHRISTIE, Scotscraig Mains, next rose 

 to propose the following motion, of which he had given notice : — " That a committee be 

 appointed to fix what encouragement should be given to inventors, makers, and im- 

 provers of agricultural implements by their admission to the Society's shows free of 

 charge, at greatly reduced charges, or otherwise." Since coming to the yard tliat day 

 Mr Christie said he had been rejoiced to find that others were interesting themselves 

 in what he had in view — the encouragement to be given to agricultural implement 

 makers ; but as a motion was to be proposed by Mr Greig that virtually covered his 

 motion, he withdrew it. 



Motions by the Hon. George Waldegrave Leslie. — The following motions 

 given notice of by the Hon. George Waldegrave Leslie were respectively proposed and 

 withdrawn :—(l.) " That it is desirable at future shows of the Highland Society to 

 dispense with the exhibition of poultry, &c., and to make arrangements with the Edin- 

 burgh Christmas Club Show for the exhibition of poultry, &c., at their annual shows in 

 December, when the poultry are in full feather, &c., &c." (2.) " That the deputation 

 who went to the Royal) Agricultural Society's Show at Kilburn be reiiuested to draw 

 up a report, containing any suggestions which they may think proper to make regard- 

 ing the management of the Highland Society's Showyard, &c." 



The Society's Charter.— Mr Mollison, Dochgarroch Lodge, Inverness, moved— 

 " That a committee be appointed to re\ise the Society's charter, and consider any 

 changes which the altered state of matters now existing may render expedient." He 

 ■was not going to say that changes were needed in the charter, but, seeing that a very 

 large number of the members of the Society had an idea that tlie charter was too 

 restricted, and admitted of alterations, to promote the Society's usefulness, he had 

 thought fit to firing the motion forward. 



Colonel Williamson of Lawers said he had been requested to second the motion, 

 and he had much pleasure in doing so. He believed that their charter was perhaps 

 too restricted, and might prevent them doing all the good they might do as a society 

 to this country of ours — Scotland. He by no means seconded the motion with any 

 adverse feeling towards the directors of the Society. He believed that they did their 

 dutv well and with a feeling of uprightness, and wishing to work for the good of all. 

 They might make mistakes, and if in the charter mistakes existed, there was all the 

 greater excuse for any failings of the directors on that account. He expressed the 

 hope that the directors would go along with any committee that might be appointed 

 to investigate and probe to the bottom the features, the power, and the weakness, of 

 their charter. 



The Marquis of HuNTLY said that as he believed he was one of the first members of 

 this Society who, six years ago, suggested that the charter should be altered, he would, 

 like to say'a few words on this point. At that meetmg, which was held in Edinburgh, 

 he brougl'it forward a series of resolutions before the ilirectors, and urged them \er.v 

 strongly to carry out certain improvements. Every one of the improvements which 

 was denied himthen had since been carried out. One of them was, that they should 

 have an anniversary meeting on the occasion of the show. This was the first time that 

 the last of these proposals of his had been given efiect to. It was answered to him 

 then, and answered, he believed, very rightly, that the charter of the Society prevented 

 the doing of things which were thought forthe good of the country. He was of the 

 same opinion as he held then— tliat it was certainly expedient to alter the charter of 

 the Society, and lie sujiported tlie proposal now made for the appointment of a com- 

 mittee. He would only say to the directors of the Society that there was no feeling of 



