MANAWATU A. & P. SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 765, 14 March 1910, Page 6

MANAWATU A. & P. SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The.,annual general ..meeting.' of th Manawatu, A., and P. Association wa> held on" Saturday. The president, Mi S. R. Lancaster, occupied the chair, an< there. : were. between forty, and .fiftj members present. The report and balance-sheet, par ticulars ..of ? Yhich,. have already . beei published,'; were taken. Vas read, '. and ii moving their adoption the chairmai said:— . .■■.'-..-..-' .'.-. Chairman's Review. ~ In formally moving the. adoption of the committee's. report. and the balance-sheet, I would offer a few remarks on matters in general as they occur to me, Poremosi amongst the subjects in my mind is the finances of this association. The questioi is mostly referred to By ourselves ii committee, and some'-'hard .things are said. Well, criticism is good, but I do say.'that more frequently, for the wanf 'of.a general statement from all viewpoints, the, position of the association" : is shown., at a - disadvantage. At our last meeting the question was asked: "What has,'the committee done to reduce .-, the Overdraft?" 'In reply to this,. I furnish '»'-> slatement of .what we have done in 'reduction of overdraft, ;ond;-.-this,. added .tp.bur'.j'assets, will give a\<Mnita;idea of the: position'to-day. I go. back-to;?— , \ : -p\^'f'■'■'' Snent .'■'"': -m Over- Improvedraft. ments. ■■■■■•• £ £ < 1903 .-.: SfiU 745 1904 ... 2,804 603 '■ '- • L 905 ... 3,122 776 .',..' 1906 ... 3,195 1,i83 improvements and bad 1907 ... 5,776 2,812 v-W,, . ~ „ 1908 ... 5,378 —r'^4-*:-:-, 1909 ... 5,615 431i,improvements L9lO ...:5,452 - 7 gss£gi 'i&. .'. ■~'-■ showing that the'bv^ra'raf't'torda'y. is £2268 more than has been spent, in land-'.and;'.'buildings. In addition we; have a show plant account £470- more than in ,1903,;. disclosing that we have bettcred'-'ou'r/.positibir'by nearly £5000. Dnring^e'iJp'asfr'rth'Mi-y 6B " we lave not finan:ially, as the but ive have spent' '^43i?^hfeiirotft' T « meilts[t must, however, that there is a burden of interest, and rates on the purchased; land about .{£lso "per annum. Economies so far as>l, can see' have been reduced to. a minimum .in''..the management, and show expenses...' : ln f ;fact, show, jxpehses show a slower'.'average when lompared :with other, institutions in the Dominion. One thing impresses me, viz:, that,'to make->pro{p-ess;Ythd!.raeinbersliip nust be inadeypbpuiajy'a'rid an!'endeavour nade to get back. .tcothjEf-old, figures, when £1450.wa5. received for members' subscripions. It is a question whether the land ihould be retained. The trend of agricol;ural development does not, seem, to point Hit bigger displays of" stock,-but better itock,. and' keener competition in . the [uality. There is one thrng.in connection rith our spring show frequently ost sight of—the'amount of prize money laid but to' exhibitors.., This association lays.out tie larjje ainonnfiiofaßout, ,£I4OO innually, and pays if most ungrudgingly. Itreeders receive more consideration in his . than ;anywhere else!'."'', Again, our ire stock exhibitions, whether in horses, attle, or, sheep,;. : ,,aroi,',ieehly ~ contested; rom: all of-the island.,;'lt .makes or .progress. 'to; have,, a. common meeting' jfo'un'd for^br,ee.dexs,bn^ and .thela'nawatu J Sbb\vg«nindst*. differ .' the . most conomical. facilities. ' We conduct our how in no parochial spirit, and I am llad.to saythat breeders recognise this. Ve 'are indebted "froin. time, to time for he presentation of challenge cups and rophies, and these donations .are much alued, but especially are we indebted to i£r. E. Short for "his'lavisH "gifts. The iropos.al'jnade.iby .at. the ast-'meeting committee vformulated , scheme to help the dairy classes, and ':■.'. Champion Butter-fat Competition. You will -remember that the champion ratierfat competition : 'was : institated in 907, but the objects have not been ittaincd.". Th'e ; prize money is the largest' iffered with. prize, >ut : the'experience , ; 'of' ; 'support' 'received ndkates 'that a revision is required. It s.'worth'Ncbnsi&rihgswhether we should ;dopt a ''system' 'for this competition imSirr to'that of the Jersey breeders' esting on. the 1 farm. \ Under such a, ystem large entries could be' expected; jid, "as the whole, method 'is carefully afeguarded,,the.winner l would be worthy f- champion honours, ~..'!'•. .'.-. Parade. The innovation .introduced for the workng of the grand parade of stock has had lothing but praise. ■ In : f act, the excellent fay in' which it was worked, has been nentionedto me when visiting _ other daces during the. season. The idea of >opula'rising the second day with the >arade should'be, given effect to; and" I tope that' it-jrill be carried out at. the 910.show. There seems to me no reason rhy trotting and speed contests should lot be. added' as . aft additional feature o our show,' as such events' have proved rery attractive. in Australia. It would ■equire some banking-up of the ring and ihds. Additional;'show buildings seem a on'g';Way- ; off, - in. view of; the ; size -of the iverdraft, but' there is: 'an ' urgency. ,ih educing our liability and carrying out lertain new buildings. -To my mind the ■equirements are a. sheep, pavilion, pig >ens,-.and- : a horse.pavilion. : National Day Show. 'The National, dairy ; show is another vorthy 'featuie of ; tlris. association's, proects. ■: It is a most attractive exhibition n .every way. .For'instance, the dairy nachinery and appliances is a remarkable lisplay."- -The 'support, given by the National Dairy Association and the Dairy ?actory 'Managers' Association '■ is mucl/ ippreciafed,. and»the."Dairy Show Coin nittee are. leaving-nothing .undone to iecuro -their continued, co-operatidn. ,-It Tbuld' ; take' up''-tbtf'nwbh'-bme.■ to", refer x> other features in, detail, but I must nehtion>'tho' : suceeiss.:attained.'.ih. the. fruit lection, especially'in the champion, class'' :'6r, £10. There' is'also' tie public school ;ardens. In this Mr. Grant, .the agriculjural instiuc'tor, .with many ,of • the iachers, is doing 'admirable work. Be'erences have been • mode, frequently in inhual reports to the admirable work of ±e Dairy Show Committee and the ihairman,. Mr'.vDunk,*and they well desire • it, ■ for; .the'.'shbw -has' shown a profit irom its-inception;-' ;.'-»-.--li. ... . ''"'""' '■' l%fm'; : 6xpCTrrnetrits.v •Thej.matter of .'farm .experiments -was taken up at the' end; of 'last" winter with Mr. Baylis, the'l Government .Supervisor, ind a number of- farmers'i-.carae forwai'd to take up, the' wort. JThe'/late spring ivas wet and delayed the preparation, of [and and-sowing, and.ithen we.,jfere bvcrtakeh'with 'dry', weather- since October last.' Indeed*'-the*climatic- conditions have been 'so', singular that".tbe^"will" probably iipset anything, like, success., tins year. One. thing, however,,.has' ,',',Bewl- learnt, viz.: that farmers who have, this season, followed the. usual: average-date for: the sowing of many: cereals, have.had failures owing to the peculiar nature of the past season. • ~'.■■•' ,;'' '» r -, , r .The. motion was' seconded'by; 'Mt. J. M. Johnston. He did hot altogether : agree with some bf'the'"rem"arks' i: 6f l the chairman,- in regard to retaining all their land,.. which;lie,;thbugiit','was i .a.:' real good investment. As" regarded-the balancesheet, they were -in- a.!soimd position, but ha thought - that; they should -seriously consider - the ■ truestion" of reducing their expenses or their,prize moheyi . Mr. IL""Cohen ' thought;-'that the suggestion. money would be a retrograde step. He' considered that they-r.should' .make -an' endeavour to increase the membership. They \ were perfectly sound financially, but he trusted that no retrograde step would bo taken. Mr. St. C. suggested that an arrangement should : be made with the stock.auctioneers,to have.their saleyarda on the . grounds, of ..the association, as a means of producing, revenue.;. The: report-i-was' then. adopted. . General Business.. Mr. Cohen inoyed an .'alteratibn in th« rules to the effect that members should be allowed \to : vote at emnual meetings so long as their subscription < for the previous -j-aif ;4ad been; naid, instead of as

at present, for the ecsuing year. Mr Cohen spoke strongly on the question characterising it as scandalous that t member should be disfranchised becausi his subscription had riot . been paid ii advance. Mr. T. E.. Hodder seconded the motion which, after a. discussion,. in whicl Messrs. W. J. Birch, E.' Short, D. P Buchanan, A. Oonway, Joanneam, .H. J Booth, Joh'nstoh, W. F. Jacob, G. C Wheeler, P. J. Nathan, and P. JTBardj took part, was lost by 19 votee to 15. Mr, Wheeler referred to the fact thai they had no stock on the first day ai the spring. Ho moved that it bf a recommendation to the General Committee that they seriously eonsidei the question of going back'to a two daysshow. Mr. Johnston seconded the motion, buf the matter was dropped, with the understanding' that the committee would consider it. Mr. Cohen gave notice of motion tha) the annual meeting be held on a datt just before the National, Dairy Show. Mr. Hodder brought up the question of .letting the grounds for- sports gatherings. Hβ stated that there was a feelinj that the committee was against all kinds of sports, but he was quite certain that this was not so. Hβ pointed out that they had a great overdraft to contend with, and they should be just before they were generous. ■ Thes let theii pounds on such terms as was consistent with the amount they had to expend on its upkeep.. ' \ . .:■ ~ . , ■ '.'. . .The riew Office-bearers. ■Messrs.. ■Rutherford, and Connell were reappoiotod auditors. ■ ; lhe following "officers were elected:— President, Mr.. C. A. J.' Levitt; vicepresidents, .-Messrs. D. Buick, SI.P.-, J. G. Harkness, T.;'it'. Hodder,/and A. Conway. ■The following;were elected to the committee 'out-of'-.'fourteen nominations:— S. J. Booth,heading; VV. J. Birch, Mar ; ton; Charles Dunk, Palmerston! North! P. L. Jackson, Palmerston North; S. E. Ijancaster, Fitzherbert East; H. T. Letharidge, Turaltina; P. §. MTiae, Stoney 'Jnxk; W. M'Kspzie, Palmerston North; f. M'lCelyie, Carnarvon; P. Eobinson, Elimitangi; S. Standen, Feilding; and T. [I. Willis, Greatford. Mr. C. A. J. Levett, tns newly-elected president, then took the chair, and ;hanked those present for the honour tfhich they had done 'him in electing iim to' the position'. ' ~ Hearty votes of thanks were passed o Messrs. Aid-worth'and Russell, who had .•etired from the. .committee;' Mr. S. R. janca'ster (the., retiring president), tho measurer, secretary and • staff, and the press. ...'-.'. .• • . .' ' ' A special vote of .-thanks was accorded ur. E. Short for his generous donations )f cash to thjj.-'funds of. the, association, ind also for various trophies.