ASHBURTON AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 986, 4 July 1883, Page 3

ASHBURTON AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The sixth annual meeting of the above Association was held this afternoon, in the Arcade Chambers. There was not a very large attendance, and Mr T. Bullock was /Voted to the chair. The Secretary (Mt G, Jameson), read the minutes of the previous meeting which were confirmed. ANNUAL REPORT. The following report was read : In presenting the fifth annual repoit and statement of accounts, your Committee have pleasure in stating that the Association has mado considerable progress during the period under review : the liabilities which were at the beginning of the year L3OO have been reduced to Ll6O and the affairs of the Association placed on a permanent and satisfactory footing. It will be in the recollection of members that when they were last called together the Association had the entire responsibility of working the Ashburton Saleyards on its hands. This was found to he most inconvenient. The Yards have now been taken over by the Sa'eyards Company, and arrangements have been made whereby the Association has the use of the Yards and Grounds for Show purposes ' for a period of 21 ye-jrs free of cost. The receipts 'have exceeded those for any former period, and the expenditure has been carefully watched and kept within the strictest limits of economy consistent , with the general efficient working of the Association. The horse parade in September and the show in November last 1 were in advance of any previous exhibitions, both in the number of entries and the quality of the exhibits. Having regard to*the heavy liabilities, y-mr Committee during the early part of the year, spent considerable time in revising the catalogue of prizes, in consequence of the small number of entries that had been received in previous years for some of the classes, it was decided to eliminate them from the catalogue altogether. In some instances this was done reluctantly, because the prizes < flared ware such as should have produced numerous entries. It will be necessary during the coming year to again revise the prize list, so as to make it suitable to the growing requirements and , altered circumstances of the (district. This is a matter deserving the greatest care and attention of members, because on this depends in a great measure the success or otherwise of the Association’s Shows. Your Committee in relinquishing office take the opportunity of urging farmers and others to take a more extended and active interest in the affairs, of the Association by obtaining. new members, by forwarding exhibits to the annual Shows, and by a more general, attendance at the Association’s meetingsThe balance-sheet gave the debit ba-" lance at the commencement of the financial year at L 174 3a 611, while the total liabilities on May 31. 1883, amounted to L6s4 10s 44, the sum of L 145 14s for prize money being the chief item. The principal assets were—Subscriptions, Lll9 13s 6d ; annual hoise parade, L 9 18a ; annual show, entrance fees, LlO7 3s ; sale of privileges, L 56 ; gate money, LB6 14s ; private prizes, L 35 Is fid. The]Association started the . current year with a debit balance of Lll9 lls 7d. Chairman proposed the adoption of the reportyand, in doing so, said that he quite agreed with the Committee's remarks about the heed of further interest being taken by the farmers. The action that had been taken in connection with the Saleyards Company would do good to the Assbciatioh. He also referred to the gradual increase that there had been in the number of entries, which were 366 in 1879, 395 in 1880,438 in 1881, and 524 in 1882. This was a proof that, the Society’s shows were apprecia' ed. Mr Purnell seconded, and in doing so he endorsed what had been said by the Chairman. Unless the farmers showed more spirit, the Association would collapse, and he said that if every member would get another subscriber the membership would be doubled. The report and balance-sheet wore adopted unanimously. COMPLIMENTARY. On the motion of Mr H. T. Winter, a vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing Committee, which the Chairman . acknowledged.

£ LECTION OF OFFICERS. . iW following officers were then elected: —President, Mr 0. J. Hawdon; VicePresidents, Mr H. T. Winter and Mr J. Hunt ; Committee, Means A. Leatham, ' F. T. Mayo, D. Thomas, R. Millar, 0, T. ■; Dudley, C. W. Purnell, S. Chapman, D. Oliver, J. Bilcoz, M. Stitt, J. Carter, '/ J. Btraohan, O. Digby, H. Friedlander, ■' J. Tucker, J, Mann, E. S, Coster, C. P. , Harper, T. Bullock, B. G. M.H.R., J. Ivess, M.H.R , J. J. C. Wason, | 'SBd pr Trevor. Treaisurer,Mr A. Harri- - jion." Secretary, Mr G.. Jameson. AudiI . • tors, Messrs Shury and Curtis. , The meeting then adjourned.