Count nj Meeting of 1891. 
xlv 
Vgricnltural Society had not been 
idd in their town since the year 1861 . 
That occasion was a great success, 
ind they thought that, as the popu- 
ation since that time had nearly 
doubled, and everything had suc- 
ceeded most prosperously with them, 
they should next year— at all events 
with regard to the attendance — have 
overtopped any Show which the 
Society bad held up to that time, and 
there was not the slightest doubt that 
they would have done so. A Local 
Committee and a surveyor were ap- 
pointed to look out for sites, and on 
February 1 the members of the Com- 
mittee of Inspection accompanied the 
Local Committee over the whole of the 
sites which up to that time they could 
recommend. They went firstly to a 
site which was satisfactory so far as 
regarded the situation, but which, in 
the general opinion of the Committee, 
appeared almost to be despaired of 
in consequence of the unevenness of 
the land, and because of its having a 
ditch of great breadth running right 
through it. The other site inspected 
was at Haigh Park, on the Leeds and 
Pontefract road, about three miles 
from the town. The great objection 
to that site was that, being three miles 
out of the town, and being outside the 
borough, the}' could not expect that 
attendance of the public which there 
would be in a site nearer the town. 
Besides this, there was but one road 
to it, and the only railway near was 
the Midland. 
It appeared that the owner had 
now an offer for this estate, and had 
not been able up to the present time 
to give them a promise that they 
could have the land, even if the 
Society would take it. After the 
visit of the Committee, they had to 
see if they could obtain another site. 
The place where the Show was held 
in 1801 was Cardigan Fields, about a 
mile from the town, admirably situ- 
ated ; but, unfortunately, owing to 
the expansion of Leeds, it had now 
dwindled down to 29 acres, which 
evidently was insufficient for the 
Society"s requirements. It had been 
bought for building purposes, and he 
was asked a rent for the 29 acres of 
2,000/. In view of their getting 
Cardigan Fields upon these terms, 
they hail gone across the river Aire, 
and had asked for permission to use 
land on the other side for the pur- 
pose. As to the question of cost, it 
was found that, with the 2,000/. they 
would have to pay the owner of the 
land for the Cardigan Fields, and 
with the cost of putting a bridge 
over the river, a total minimum ex- 
pense of 9,000/. would be incurred. 
They considered this a very largo 
sum, and the General Committee had 
passed a resolution, which they had 
asked him (the Mayor) and Mr. 
YVigraru to come personally to ex- 
plain to-day. The resolution was to 
the effect that, the Cardigan Fields 
being only obtainable at a very con- 
siderable cost for the purpose of the 
Royal Agricultural Society's Meeting 
of 1S91, the Committee did not feel 
justified in recommending it, and 
that being the only site likely to 
meet with the approbation of the 
Society, the Committee abandoned the 
hope of receiving the Society as ori- 
ginally proposed. They trusted that 
Doncaster would have a good meet- 
ing, and they would do all they could 
to assist them. (Hear, hear.) 
Sir Jacob Wilsox said he was 
sure it would be the pleasure of the 
Council that the Mayor of Leeds and- 
Mr. Wigram should not leave that 
room without a vote of thanks being 
accorded to them for their courtesy 
and kindness in receiving the Com- 
mittee at Leeds, and in coming per- 
sonally to explain the decision at 
which the Local Committee had 
arrived. He had very vivid recollec- 
tions, as Lord Powis would have, of 
their successful visit at Leeds thirty 
years ago, and he had looked forward 
for very many years to a repetition of 
that visit. However, ascircumst.ir.o 9 
stood, he was perfectly sure that the 
best course had been taken, though it 
was a source of deep regret to many 
of them in that room. He had great 
pleasure in moving a vote of thanks 
to the Mayor of Leeds for his efforts 
on behalf of the Society, and for his 
attendance that day. 
The Earl of Powis said that, as 
President of the Society for the year 
1861, when the Society first visited 
the town of Leeds, he might perhaps 
be allowed to second the motion of 
Sir Jacob AVilson. He had no better 
wish for the Meeting of Hie Society 
