MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 575, 2 August 1909, Page 8

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

annual meeting. THE STOCK SALES QUESTION. ' The animal meeting of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday (says onr special correspondent). The cliair was occupied by slr. D. JfOrcgor, jun., and thero was a largo attcndanco of members.

Tilo' chairman, in proposing the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, congratulated members on having iiau a very succesuful year. Considering the difficulties'-, which they had had to face, ; the balance-sheet showed the society to bo in! a very satisfactory position, and tile excess -of . assets', over liabilities (as compared with the previous year)'was over £1000.. Large .donations had been received 'for the Solway scheme, and it:,was most .satisfactory to note that, in spite ;of this, there had been little or no decrease in ordinary, donations. Tho trophy list was ;also;si creditable one",to tho association, when compared with other larger institutions in; the'Domiriiijii. '' The membership, however, was not 'as '...large' as it might lie~, and, in- this connection j'-ilie Speaker pealed to the members:.themselves to" try to increase the roll. The membership now stood at seven hundred, - and a large number •of iicw members wero. to be added at. tho meeting. •,Now that they had definitely desided to remove to Solway, aftdr. tho next show, it was-essential to have.tho finances,of the association placed on a sound footing;. ' Arrangements had been niado to sell tho old show grounds to a private company in twelveshares'of: ft W) hundred p'ouudseach, andithis was, lie- considered, satisfactory/ ' v . : The report and balance-sheet were, adopted.The election of officers for' the ensiling year resulted, as follows President, Mr. G.U. Suninißreil (unopposed); vice-presidents, Messrs./H.- Morrison, and W. Perry, (unopposed) ; hon. 7 treasurer, Mr. J. .13. -Mqodio (unopposed); general committee, Messrs. W. H. iiuick, 0.- C. Cooper, W: ; Cooper, J;'D. Cruickshank, 11. J. Dagg, . E. , Harpeij J. M. James, R. Gray, D. M'Gregor, jun\, .7. •C. M'lullop, A. J." Stone-Wigg, A. J.. Percy, J: P. Perry, J..'E. Percy, A. ; G...• Pilmer, Bland Rayner, G. Shaw, C.: .Vallance, W. ■D. Watson, and P. Lett, W. -;J. -..Welch (MaSterton),' Wl.-'E:; Bidwill. : (Featliorston), .'A. Donald (featliorston), Q.' Dpn,ikl. (Tauherinikau), i l . \V. H. Kummer' (Maiirieoville), jHarold ■ Matthefvs rA.; jD. 'M'Master • (Ma'rtiuhprough),'jjj/M'Master, -i(Greytown), R. Smith (Martinborough), J. jStrang (Gladstone). - Mr. .' J. .M.,y John''.ston", of Palmei'stoiv North, was elected aiv 'honorary life): inomboi^qf' . for :services'-, rendered in'-.connection--with ;the . setting! out' of 'Solway: grounds..-.! - 'Tho) fat; stock• sales ■ -proposal. was ' briefly'., jdiscussed. ■' Mr.- J,.M'Gregor,) moved:. 'That. a commit-teo. bo set- up, ;to obtain ; details as to. proposed'.sales.'' '■ - ; -':;i • ■ Mr. M'Gregor said that there-.had -been, some talk about the; proposal. for.Vsdmo: time) past, though some had' saidithat it woujd- bo' of little use; establishing .such sales, as big (buyers \vould come along; and. crowd, others out. : . This might be so if tho lines of pre- • vious'sales wore followed,- but .not if the sales Ayero run on .the lines'of ..the big South Island' yards/ and!, extra,'! choice' small, parcels were submitted by 'the)fa'rmorfl of the .district; He. believed better sales ,aiid ! better ; prices would. result. . ' ><~'• ~ ■ Air. 11. Morrison . seconded ' tho motion, stating-that' ihe-aUKihtagcbus''pbsitfoii of the new salej-ards 'would bo;, a great factor in popularising the sales.; v Mr.. W. I'erry also' supported * the motion, and- said that some years ago Addington, .was'. tho only place- to hold such sales in ith'e : dominion, while now Dunedin, AVaipilkurau, and even Johnsonvillo 'held very successful-sales.. Wellington's smaller buyers':-would. come to, Masterton, and this help^materiailly'to forward the sales..- r, f'V;: ! ' V-:'.' Mr. C. E. Darnell-thought the committee .might also' include' in its ' investigations :■ a'. : suggestion that, perhaps'; '.'a. coldfstoffl'gofld©". pot at .tho -'Masterton <'- abattoirs would prove .an'incentive to small . .j.-UTMA, Mr.; 'J. C. M'Killop .supported, tho 'motion,. considering .that 'in view; of" market-: it : migHt : -mean'"a 'cpnsideWb!d ! ' im-' fproveiilent in. local' prices, /,>■: : V The 1 motion was carried 1 unanimously, : and, •the following, . committee, -was.. .appointed: ; l Messrs. W. Perry,-It. Gray,' G. C.Summerell, H. Morrison, D. M'Gregor, E. Harper;, A. . J.: i Percy, and A. G. Pilmer. : v . ' : '