23 

 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



A Meeting of the Board of Agriculture was held at Head Quarter 

 Flouse on Tuesday, 15th December, at 9 o'clock am. Present: the 

 Flon. Colonial 8ecretaryin the chair, His Grace the Archbishop, the 

 lion. Director of Public Gardens, the Island Chemist, Mes^srs C. A 

 T. Fursdon, 0. E. de Mercado and John Barclay, the Secretary. 



The Secretary read the Minutes of the last Meeting which were 

 confirmed. 



The Chairman read a Minute regarding the position and emolu- 

 ments of the Chemist, a letter from Mr. Cousins on the subject, and a 

 memorandum from the Colonial Secretary to the Governor. It was 

 resolved to recommend that the Chemist be offered £600 a year, be 

 placed on the fixed establishment and given a personal allowance of 

 £'250 per annum in lieu of pensionable interest. 



After considerable discussion on ihe subject it was resolved by the 

 Board to express the opinion that it was necessary to have a Director 

 of Agriculture, as soon as possible, as a general head of all agricultu- 

 ral work. 



With reference to the Imperial grant of J6 10,000 it was acknow- 

 ledged that this could only be used for the benefit of the Sugar In- 

 dustry but a decision as to the exact manner in which it was to be 

 utilized was postponed for further consideration. 



The following Committee was appointed: Mr. 0. A. T. Fursdon, 

 the Island Chemist. Hon. J. V. Calder, and Hon. Sydney Olivier, the 

 chairman, to lepoiton a site for an Experiment Station and Stock Farm. 



The state of the Parade Gardens having been brought before the 

 Board, it was agreed to recommend a special vote ( f £33 for improving 

 the water supply, and for reforming the paths. 



The Director of Public Gardens having represented that it would be 

 necf ssary to give up that portion of Castleton Gardens lying between 

 the Main Road and the Wag Water and devote the whole of the 

 funds to the remainder, the reduced grant allowed being found in- 

 sufficient for the whole, it vvas resolved to recommend an addition to 

 the annual grant of £25. 



Mr. C. A. T. Fursdon a!<ked if some representaion fron the Board 

 could not be sent to the Director of the Railway to provide a better 

 system for the landing of cattle from the Cattle Docks, as at present 

 owing to the inconvenience and danger of the landing, cattle owners 

 preferred to send their stock round by the road It was agreed to do 

 this. 



A letter from Mr. C L. A. Rennalls, teacher. Mavis Bank, ask- 

 ing the Board for a grant towards the better fencing of the School 

 Garden there, was submitted and the Secretarv was instructed to re- 

 ply that there were no funds available for the purpose. 



A Minute from the Director (f Public Gardens suggesting the re- 

 appointment of the former (. ommittee of the Experiment Station which 

 had been circulated for the comments of the Board was submitted. 

 It was resolved to let the matter remain as at present. 



It was agreed that in consideration of the use of grass and 



