METHVEN A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3558, 19 September 1916, Page 7

METHVEN A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

The annual general meeting of the Methven Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held yesterday at'ternoou. Mr Jj. McDonald presiding over a lar^e attendance of members. ' (Before commencing the business of the meeting, the chairman said he thought it an appropriate duty tnat, they should express their loyalty and continued determination to help our country and Empire to prosecute tko war until the aims for which we toon up arms were accomplished. Since the war had commenced many of the greatest and noblest of our race,had laid down their Injes in the interests 'of the Empire. "We deplore* the^ great loss our country has sustained in the death of. Lord Kitchener," said xhe chairman. "The man whom we all looked up to to guide and lead as to victory is dead, but his great work lives a.ncl spr>a.ks. In two short years he. organised, raised, trained, equipped, and put into the field, an army of 5,000,000 men. We also deplore the loss of the many great and noble oncers and men who fought and won thu great sea victory off Jutland. I trust that wo all are doing our, part, and that we may prove worthy of-the sujfi. fices that arc now boing macjie iov us." The annual report read as follows:— "In presenting the fifth annual leport, the Executive congratulates >no members on the continued success ol the Association. The Annual s>bow, which was held as usual on the eecon.i Thursday in April, in fine weathur, was very successful. The entries showed a slight increase on the previous year—numbering 1282 against 1269 in 1916;, which must be considered highly satisfactory, considering the period of stress through which we are passing. The committee congratulates it's members on the Lfine effort made in the interests of the Ashburton County War Relief Fund at the Mount Hutt 'Queen" Carnival, held on Anniversary Day, December 16, whereby the Fund benefited to the extent of £6000; also for the effort made by which the Naval Heroes' Fund was augmented to the extent of £200, of which the Association contributed £25. Since the outbreak of war the Association has contributed £100 to Patriotic Funds, and granted honorary membership to jts members oii active service. The committee decided to abandon the! ploughing, match for the pjvst year. During the early part of the Association's, year the paste presidents, president, and vice-presidents, donated a Silver Cup, valued at 30 guineas, and Mr Alexander Drummond also gave a valuable Silver Cup, being the second one donated by him. With the termination of the period of the Association's j fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand, the Finance Committee decided to make the amount up to £400, and invest the same in New Zealand Governments Wais ; Loan Bonds,, for 14 years, at 4£ per cent. The nett balance of receipts over expenditure was £45 18s, and this, together with the amount expended on permanent hurdles, mußt be considered very satisfactory. The thanks of the association are due to all who donated special prizes; also to the judges, supervisors, class stewards, and other officials who carried out their respective duties in a highly eificient manner. In conclusion, at the end of this, the fifth year of the association, it is with the greatest pleasure we have to record the progress made, and in inviting the continued co-' operation of all the members the maintenance of this progress is assured." The balance-sheet showed a credit balace of £677 12s 2d. ;

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr McDonald said that it was just a little over four years ago since the association had its first annual meeting, and he desired to show the progress that had been mado since then. At the first show 422 entries were received and £17,3 paid in pnzo monoy in addition to trophies-. The figures for the subsequent snows are:—l9l3: entries 750, prize money £238 11s; 1914: entries 1351 (record) prize money £323 14s; 1915: 1289 entries. pri7,e money £337 7s; 1916----entries 1282, prize money £343 2s. Continuing', Mr McDonald said'that during the year 10 nwrabors had gone to the front and seven had loft'tho district. Commenting on the ( past shrw^ Mr MplVipM paid +1-0+ r^_ petition was excellent, and the ■quality of tne stoofc exnibiteii wa« nlso vor'r superior and ahowod a marked >'m-

provcment on previous shows. Siviro the outbreak of war the association had

given considerably over £100 out of the ordinary income to the patriotic i'uiid: 5; and it was principally owing to the energy and influence of the committee that Methven occupied such a high position at the Ashburton Queen Carnival, to which the district contributed a considerable sum. The district - had also done its duty in producing large areas of grain, which, on the whole, had probably paid well, but which was pat in because farmers were asked by the Government to do so as patriotic citizens. But last year, with increased cost of production and the importation of cheap flour from other countries, tho man who made .wheat growing pay as well as sheep was a lucky man. Last year's experience had had the effect all over Canterbury of causing farmers to reduce thoir cropping areas and they were putting in grass., and sheep feed instead. He was glad to note that recently the Government had passed an Act to tax imported wheat and flour, so that .farmcra may get a payable price for their grain this coming year if the Act is enforced. Air Morgan (continued the speaker) deserved tho credit and thanks of the association for giving £10 for the field • root and turnip competition. Mr H. ; Haginness' gave £3 3s and the association £5. towards, the same object.l In accordance with a recommendation from the la^jt annual general meeting, the election of the committee for the ensuing year had been conducted by ballot,, and; Mr McDonald hoped: that it would not affect tho attendance at the meetings. Thirteen meetingß of the committee had been held during the year, there being an average attendance of 15. In the absence of Mr Cuff, Mr T. Doherty had ably filled the position of chairman.

In seconding the motion, Mr T. Doherty said that the fact that the association after only four years of existence had a credit balance of approximately £700 was sufficient indication of its progress. There had been Bomo talk during the year in reference to the hew show grounds, but the committee had decided that the., present was not an opportune time to push the matter. Speaking aB a practical; man, he could say that the quality of the stock at last show was the finest he had seen atj Methven. A judge had told him (the speaker) that the purobred sheep exhibited were quite equal to those seen ■at any country show in the province. In the English and Border Leicester classes the competition had been v,ery keen, and Tie felt sure that had exhibits been sent from Lincoln College they would have up against a solid proposition.

The report and balance-sheet (siibjeet to audit) were adopted; " ( .*■ The following special prizes were donated:—N.Z. Loan and M.A. Co., £3 3s, Nieoll Bros. £1 Is, J. T. Mangin £1 Is, R. J. Millar £1, J. McGirr £3 3sj,.W! Morgan £10, W, Buchan £7.75, W; Robins £T Is.' .I.' Stewart £1," Is.. .7. ft Rtone £1 Is. ,D.: McDonald £3 3«s, T. Twpmev £3 Us]' T. Dohertv £10. JOsV At WiJ.son £2 2«, W. Hart £1 U; .1 W; Drnmmohd £3 3s. and L. Lillev £2 2s.

The following new members were elected :•—Mrs W. Morgan, Messrs R. S. Forsyth, J. Twomey, R. Millar, R. A. Grigg, J. P. MpyJan; and C. Stockdiil.

The election of officers resulted <as :—-President, Mr T". Doherty; vice-president, Mr W. 'Buchan, junr. (Lyndhurst);,treasurer, Air H. Green; general committee," '4;Meßirs W. Morgan,. W. Goodwin, D. McKendry, H. Maginness," J. Stewart, R. D. Millar, junr., J. McGirr, S. Smith, J. T. Margin, S. Campbell, junr.. Jan. Garr, "W. Lilley J McAnulty, C. t. Jossep, T. S. Harrison, A. McKay, R. Holland, C. Stone, J. Druramond. and W. Hart.

The action of the Finance Committee ia purchasing war bonds 'waa unanimously .approved.

Mr McDonald then vacated tho chair, a.nd Mr T. Doherty thankwl t)n> members for electing him president. Mr W. Bnchan also thanked the members for electing him vice-president.

Votes of thanks wore passed to* thr retirine; officers, and to the Press for attending the meeting.