WINTER SHOW AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 245, 4 December 1940, Page 5

WINTER SHOW AFFAIRS

THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT REVIEW OF THE YEAIV ' V "The conclusion of my first year as president of your Association finds me in the very happy position, of being able to report that the year enck'd 31st August, 15)40, was the best financial year we have experienced, with the exception oi 3938-39, and in many other respects is perhaps tlie most successful year in the history of the Association. Before writing off costs of repairs and upkeep to premises and property and depreciation on premises and plant out working net profit for 1939-40 is £198 as against £88 for 19.38-39 and £232 for 1937-38. These three financial year are the best the Association has experienced and area fitting reward for the great volume of work and effort to the credit of the Association's helpers and supporters during the earlier years operations." said the president, Mr A. J. Canning, in reporting to the annual general meeting of the Whakatane Winter Show Association on Saturday night. ; . Increase in Exhibits.

"Our 1940 Slioav was a particularly successful one and Avas blessed Avith good Aveather, Adverse economic and trading conditions and a period of Avar emergency seriously affected the revenue earning capacity of the Slioav particularly regarding inside and outside space Avhich together show a marked falling away as compared AA'ith 1939," Mr Canning continued.

"The A r oliime of exhibits handled at the 1940 Show established a record over 1939 and other years. 1925 exhibits Avere handled as against 1-4GI in 1939 and 1227 in** 1038. The 1940 figures represent an increase of 31.8% over those of 1939.

"The wonderful gate in the face of difficult circumstances and the outstanding increase in exhibits did not come about by chance. They were the result of a display of greater energy, foresight and planning by your executive, and carried out in the fiace of difficult times and a general spirit of pessimism.

"Prize money Avas increased to encourage exhibitors in the home cooking, root and other classes and the action i was-Avell rewarded.

Appreciation Expressed. Mr Canning said greater, attention was given this year to the entertainment side of the programme for the Show and great strides were made and much valuable knowledge and experience gained by a very willing band of helpers. As with..most other branches of the Show the possibilities here were unlimited and it was hoped to see still greater advancement made in the* years to come.' "'Generally the year concluded has been a particularly successful and pleasing one and the Balance Sheet and Accounts before you represent a very healthy and sound state of affairs. <'I desire to place on record my appreciation and the appreciation of my committee of the services and help given freely'and in a particularly willing manner by the Ladies' Committee. The work of this committee displayed in the outstanding success each year of the tea rooms, thes sweet stall and. the children's competitions and concert "is an inspiration to "all and I would be failing in my. duty if I failed to give/the work of this committee its rightful place in the success of our ShoAvs."

"Carry on as Usual." The 1939 report of the then president, Mr W. Sullivan, expressed the desirability of encouraging a young Farmers' Courts competition. As was known, this suggestion was carried into effect and a particularly high class display was staged; reflecting the l greatest credit upon the Young' Farmers' and their • respective club organisations. These competitions utilised a great deal of otherwise saleable inside space but the executive felt the greatest justification in encouraging them at expense to the Association for the benefit of town, country and the young farmers themselves. "Although T still hear occasionally that in a period of war emergency we should suspend our shows until such time as conditions arc again normal, I and my committee do not agree that this is the case and we are confident lhat Ave would not be right in allowing the work of many years, and the organisation and assured success of . present shoAvs, to be sacrificed without due f Con tinned at foot of next column)

regard for the future. We will carry v .: on as usual, and we will overcome our difficulties, said Mr Canning. Services of Secretary. . "It is. with regret that I have, to % inform you that our secretary has .found it necessary to resign. He has found that the busy show period clashed with his, office work at . a time when taxation and other returns and books had to be, completed. Mr Spring has been an ex^ [ cellent secretary, a good organiser -and a power of assistance to m.y executive. On behalf of the executive and the Association, Mr Spring, I thiank you for the excellent manner in which you have carried out your work. Although we are losing. your services as secretary we trust you will still continue "to take an active interest in the affairs of the Bay of' Plenty Winter Show Asso- ; ciation. , . "In conclusion I desire to placeupon record my executive's appreciation of the -patronage <■ afforded Show by the public and outside well wishers and of the support and" assistance rendered by all those splendid helpers in the nature of .stew- - ards, judges ;md others whose work . is not by any means undervalued or overlooked.

"I wish to express my persona] ; thanks to the executive, the secretory anil others who worked st» well with me during the year bo. * successfully concluded."