17 



fully persuaded that it is because these "regulations" are not 



understood, that any imagine they have not received a just 



compensation. The regulations, clause first, read thus : 



** No member of the committee shall decide respecting a 

 premium for which he may be a competitor; but his place shall 

 be temporarily filled by the other members." 



This does not mean that the other two can decide upon 

 the article. The disinterested committee shall appoint another 

 person to take the place for the time being of the committee 

 unable to act ; the committee being then full by the addition of 

 the one chosen, these three shall decide upon such articles as 

 may have been contributed by the committee whose place is 

 temporarily filled. Many may think I mistake. If such will 

 turn to page- eighteen of the report for 1883, they can easily 

 convince themselves. One more important point, as it so inti- 

 mately concerns the "contributor," as well as the committee, is 

 the second clause, same page, which reads thus : 



" All articles, products, flowers, fruit and vegetables offered 

 for premium must have been manufactured or produced by the 

 person in whose name they are exhibited." 



If the latter clause had been understood, it would have saved 

 the committee much trouble this year. If the " contributor " 

 informs the committee at the time of entrance that a portion 

 only is their work, of course for the amount done by themselves, 

 they are entitled to such an award as the article or work merits. 



If an article contributed is entered by any one who did not 

 do the whole work, and no statement to that effect is made, 

 then the person is not entitled to any award, even though the 

 greater part may have been done by the contributor ; according 

 to the rules of the Society. 



It will be safe to say that all the committees would be 

 heartily glad to bestow three times the amount they do, were 

 they not limited. When one considers the number of contribu- 

 tors worthy of so much more than is possible to bestow, we 

 only say : dear friends, wait until our Society is free from debt. 



a 



