MANAWATU A. & P. ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 129, 24 February 1908, Page 2

MANAWATU A. & P. ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

FINANCIAL POSITION DISCUSSED. , *\ n annual meeting of this Association was held 011 Saturday, Mr. W.-Jacob (president) in tho chair. : In moVing tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet, tho president said,tho year had been started with an overdraft of £200 above the recognised limit; and a course of strict economy had been laid down.: The year's profits wero about £70 better, than those of tho previous year. It was . necessary to provide more accommodation for tho winter show. The horse men wero also asking for more accommodation, and the sheep-owners wanted a now pavilion. A drainago scheme must soon bo considered. There wero three courses of finance open, namely, the raising of more money by overdraft, with the assistance of a guarantee from tho committee; the selling of i some of the land purchased from Mr. M'Hardy; and tho course suggested by Mr/ Lang—that donors should he asked to give a lump sum 011 condition that they should liot be asked for their annual donation for a number of years. Their interest charges and their Borough rates had increased, together amounting to £519, a very heavy tax upon the Association. Thero had been a reduction in tho amount received for members' tickets," following a reduction of privileges, and due also in part to people leaving the district. Ho suggested a systematic canvass for members. Tho donations for the year wero better, which was mainly duo to the. efforts of Messrs. Balsillie and Gillies.,. The Association's existence was practically dependent 011 donations. The winter show was a distinct success,, and was growing more important each year. He hoped that'Palmerston North would be selected for the Dairy School, as this was the only suitable place, and it would nieanja great adjunct to the' winter show. The greatest feature of the spring show had been tho 1 visit of the Premier and Parliamentary party, and tho adjourning of Parliament for tho purpose. Appreciation was diio for I -Mayor Dunk's work 011 the-winter show committee. For- many years some of the members had been trying to get a scholarship for tho agricultural college, and. finally succeeded.. The sad feature was that it had not been appreciated,-and he thought it best to withdraw it, as the farmers did not sceni to value it. Ho thanked-the members and '".ccrotary l for their assistance. Tho * committee wanted to impress on the members that the finances were not'as ' buoyant- as they might-be. The success of the Association in tho past had somewhat deadened them, and they were inclined to rest on their'oars. This was a mistake, and thoy wanted someono with tho energy of Mr. M'Hardy to infuse moro energy, into tho Association. If so, there was nothing to prevent it. from going ■ahead by leaps and bounds. (Applause.) Mr. Cohen, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said 1 lie'considered l.lio association should' not need to depend so much on donations, but should, canvass tnbro actively for members. : - ' - Mr. R. S. Abraham said "ho : thought it. would bo a good thing to incroasq the life membership if possible, Ho thought the slight falling off had been partly duo to the refusal' to allow, sheep other than 'tlioSe in the Flock Book'to be exhibited. Tho committee also had not given sufficient tion to. the needs of. the horses.' The horses should'now be put in front of the sheep and given all possible prominence. •It was n mistake to, offer prizes and then make a reduction: in the amount in cases where only ■small ontries were received; The menibors' ' privileges' bad caused 'soirie dissatisfaction, but lie, .would; be 'sorry to sco thorn reduced. The members worked well and deserved all ■tho priyiloges;;they got. Mr.- Johnston - said the association did a lot ,for' the town, and should get 'soino concession'in rates. Tho riuestio'n-.of the Dairy School' site . had not. yet been settled, hut in his opinion it must come to Palmorston.'' That would make the district the biggest' centre in-the Dominion.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.. The election of officers resulted; as follows:—President, Mr. Arbon; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. W. T. Wood. S. R. Lancaster, E. Short, and J. Harkness. 'Committee, Messrs. Jacob; M'Hardy, G. Wheeler D. P.. ! Bnobanan, Pratt, D.' Pringle. Aidworth, Lang, Duncan, J, Jarvis, and Davis treasurer. Mr. J. M. Johnston; auditors Messrs.. Rutherford and Connell.