PEOCEEDIXGS AT GEXEEAL MEETINGS. 25 



and they had recently conceived the idea that their school might be brought within 

 the category of those -which were encouraged by the Education Department, to the 

 extent of giving scholarships to encourage attendance. One condition of those 

 scholarships of £25 each was that from other sources a similar sum should be raised. 

 An application had been made to the Directors to the effect that the Education 

 Department offered scholarships of £25 each provided an equal sum was raised ; and 

 he thought it was not too much to ask the Highland Society to contribute towards two 

 such scholarships. In due course he received a reply informing him that the Board 

 regretted that it was impossible for them to recommend a grant to be made to the 

 Agricultural School in Aberdeen, as there were no funds. Now, he did not ■v\-ish to 

 appear as putting himself in as aspect of hostility, or complaint even, regarding the 

 resolution of the Directors. He felt that unless he could place himself in this posi- 

 tion — that they had not only the theoretical but the practical assent of the general 

 l)odj' of the Society — he could not carry with him the agricultural opinion, as it were, 

 in favour of the principles which he had stated in the resolution now before the 

 meeting. He could not exj^ect that the Directors should divert funds which had been 

 applied by resolution towards other objects. Tlie Board of Directors, he was con- 

 fident, was always a reflex of the agricultural opinion of the Society, and it was only 

 by obtaining an assent to his proposal, not only theoretically and abstractly, but 

 because it was a thing that was worthy of attention, and could be energetically set 

 about, that he could expect any sujiport from the Directors. 



After some further arguments in favour of the establisliment of such schools, Colonel. 

 Tnnes concluded by venturing to anticipate that if the Society would agi-ee to affirm, 

 the proposals he had made, it would not be without its intiuence in attaining the 

 object he aimed at. 



Mr Ferguson of Kinmundy said that but for the lateness of the hour and the small- 

 ness of the meeting he would have entered into the question. He must say, however, 

 that the two principles contained in the motion must commend themselves to all who 

 had given their attention to agriculture. He seconded the motion. 



It Avas suggested that the proposal might be left for the consideration of the Directors. 



Mr Melvin said he thought there could be no objection to the hrst part of the motion ; 

 but, as to the second, and with such a small meeting, he thought it would be very 

 injudicious to pronounce any opinion upon it. 



Colonel Innes said he was quite willing to take out of the second branch of the 

 resolution anything that would involve the necessity for the Directors considering the 

 question of contribution unless they saw the propriety of it. 



Mr FEKGUSoy said he understood that they were not committing the Directors to any- 

 direct contribution or responsibility whatever, but only asking them to look at the 

 present state of things, and do what they could to promote the scheme. 



Colonel Innes said that to carry the consent of the meeting he would withdraw the 

 word "maintenance." 



Mr Forbes Irvine appealed to Colonel Innes whether, when so few members (only 

 13) were present, he would press the Society to give an opinion on the second part of. 

 the question. 



Colonel Innes felt that when a motion of this kind was printed and circulated 

 throughout the countrv, it was the dutv of those who Ijrought it forward, unless some 

 very sufficient reason presented itself, to persevere with it. He was soiry that the 

 general body of those who were present had not thought it of sufficient interest to wait 

 until the matter was discussed ; but he presumed that if they had any very active 

 hostility or objection to the motion they would have remained to oppose it. 



Tlie motion was unanimously adoptetl in the following form:— •' (1) Tliat there is 

 urgent need for the establishment of central technical schools of agriculture in the 

 several agricultural districts of Scotland ; and (2) that it is the duty of the Highland 

 and Agricultural Society to encourage the establishment of such schools." 



Agricultural Bursaries.— Mr Menzies, in the al>sence of Professor Wilson, re- 

 ]>orte<l that the examination of candidates for the Society's bursaries took place on the 

 '20th of Octoljer, when Daniel Bain, Pulteneytown, Wick ; James Craig, Urquhart, 

 Dunfermline ; William Henderson, East Elrington, Haydon Bridge ; E. H. Smith, 

 Whittiiighume,Prestoukirk ; Marcus Sandison, Hemprigg, Wick ; H. P. Wright, Dow- 

 nan, lialhmtrae- -jiassed for bursaries of 120 eacli ; and Andrew Brown, Nether 

 Auchroddie, New Deer ; and Donald Finlayson, Pulteneytown, Wick — for bureanes 

 of -flO each, 



Dlstrict Compktitiojcs — Mr Menzies, in the absence of Mr Campbell Swinton of 

 Kimmerghame, also reported the i>reniiunis awarded in 1880 and those offered in 1881. 



Cottage Comi'etitions. — Mr Menzies, in the absence of Mr Maxwell Inglis of 

 Loganliank, rejiorted the premiums awardeil in 1880 and those offereil in 1881. 



Frk.miu.ms for Reports Awarded in 1880 and Offered in 1881. -Transactions 

 For 1881. — Mr Irvine of Drum reimrted the ])reniiunis awarded for reports in 1880, 

 those offered for competition in I88l, and the contents ot tin- furthcoming volume of 

 the "Transactions.*' 



