NORTH-EAST AGRICULTURAL ASSOCLATION. 201 



wliich manufacturers at a distance laboured in competing with those located 

 in Belfast or the neighbourhood. 



In 1 87 1 a most influential deputation, representing the railway, banking, 

 and commercial interests of Belfast, waited upon the Committee, requesting 

 them to invite the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland to hold their exhi- 

 bition in conjunction with that of the Association's in Belfast in the follow- 

 ing year. The Committee, fully sensible of the benefits likely to result not 

 only to the commerce of Belfast, but also to the agriculture of Ulster, by the 

 holding of such an exhibition, gave the subject their earnest consideration, 

 and unanimously passed a resolution deciding to invite the Royal Society 

 to Belfast, and to give the usual guarantee, provided there was a reasonable 

 prospect of the necessar}^ funds being raised by the town of Belfast and the 

 province of Ulster generally. Acting upon that resolution, a requisition 

 from the merchants of Belfast, and High Sheriffs and Members of Par- 

 liament of adjoining counties and boroughs, were presented to the 

 Mayor of Belfast, who accordingly convened a public meeting in the Town 

 Hall, at which the feeling was unanimous in favour of the united exhibitions. 

 The Committee of this Association accordingly transmitted the invitation, 

 and gave the usual preliminary guarantee to the Council of the Royal Agri- 

 cultural Society, by wdiom the invitation was accepted in the most compli- 

 mentary manner, under the personal presidency of His Royal Highness the 

 Prince of Wales. The show was held in Ormeau Park, Belfast, on the 7th, 

 8th, and 9th August, 1 872. The display in the live stock classes was credit- 

 able, but in the whole fell short of what might have been expected. This, 

 however, was accounted for by the fact that Foot and Mouth Disease 

 existed among stock at that period to such an extent that the Government 

 Veterinary Department deemed it incumbent upon them to appoint an 

 officer specially to attend the show. 



In 1 89 1 a circular was issued to the members of the Association, as well 

 as to the general public of Belfast and the North of Ireland, with the view of 

 raising a fund sufficient for the acquisition and fitting up of new premises in 

 the neighbourhood of Belfast, which would afford more ample space for the 

 Association's shows, and more particularly for the development of its horse 

 shows, which the markets of the Belfast Corporation, in which the shows 

 were always held, were not adapted for. The Committee were pleased to 

 find that the response to the first issue of that circular elicited subscriptions 

 to an amount which gave them every confidence that in a short time the 

 amount required would be subscribed. It was not, however, until 1894 that 

 a sum sufficient to justify them in proceeding with the undertaking was 

 forthcoming, and in 1895 thirty acres of ground were taken at Balmoral, 

 Belfast, from Mr. A. Hamill, D.L., a Vice-President of the Association. 

 These grounds are in every way suitable for the purpose and most con- 

 veniently situated as regards tramway and railway accommodation. A sum 

 of upwards of ;£"2 8,000 has since been expended in putting them into proper 

 order and erecting permanent buildings and stands. 



The annual show was held on the 17th, i8th, and 19th June, 1896, and 

 was a memorable one, on account of its being the first held in the new pre- 

 mises, and also by its being extended to three days. The value of the 

 prizes offered amounted to nearly ;^i,ooo, and the number of entries was a 

 very great advance on that of any show previously held by the Association. 



