HAWKE'S BAY A.& P. SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1468, 17 June 1912, Page 8

HAWKE'S BAY A.& P. SOCIETY.

ANNUAL REPORT,

A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The report to be presented at the ■annual meeting of tbe Hawke"s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society on Friday next, states that the past year has been a prosperous one, record entries being received for tot!) the Spring and Aiir tumn shows. The membership, which had gone back slightly a year ago, has reached its highest figure this year. Iu its last report, the committee called attention to the serious falliiig-off which was gradually taking place in the sheep entries at the Spring show, and mentioned that a sub-committee had been appointed to try and work up the stock entries generally. It was gratifying to :iind at the 1911 show tbat there was a considerable improvement in the sheep classes, and that cattle had passed the previous record, while horses also were in very large numbers. The sheep eection still requires filling up. The weather was somewhat unfavourable, the first day being xery windy and the second day bleak and showery, with the result tint the gates suffered to the extent of MS, compared with the previous year, and certain other receipts were affected similarly. The balance came out on -the right side, however, the profit lieiiijr .£25. The table of entries at shows since 1902 is as follows;—1!)02, 149-1;-1903, 1972; 1901. 2035; IDOS, 1717; 190G, 17G2; l!(07, IGOit; 1903, 1081); 1909, 2111; 1910, 1910; 1911, 2230.

The alteration of the date of the- Autumn show, to suit fruitgrowers, was a great success, the numlx-r of fruit entries alone being 580. The tolnl entry was 1610, as against 1417 for the previous year.

Referring to tho new show ground, of 51 acres, purchased from Jfessrs. Nelson Brothers, at Tomoana,, for .€5319, the report says:—-A sub-committee appointed to consider the financial aspect, recommended that an effort be made- to raise tho whole cost by voluntary subscription. Mr. Colemdn generously headed tho list with a donation of A'iOO, and the promise of a further .£SOO if tho whole amount was raised. The amount promised has now reached <£21>85 Bs., of which .£2537 7s. has already been paid. The sum of ,£2519 Is. 3d. has been paid to Messrs. Nelson Bros, towards tho purchase money. It is hoped that a large number of members who have not yet subscribed will now assist to make ay the whole amount. The ground has been leased at a satisfactory rental to Messrs. Nelson Bros, until it is required by the society. The gentlemen who reported in. 1910 on tho.disease of prepartum extrusion of vagina as experienced in their own flocks, reported ngain last year. For a second year in succession the disease was somewhat rare, and little new information was gathered. It is not proposed to ask for reports this year -unless tho disease becomes preralent. The slight decrease in members' subscriptions reported a year 'igo Ims been more than mailc , up, tho total amount actually paid for the past year l-eing .£lll2. Tho society's thanks nrc duo to one or two of its members who have interested themselves in inducing others to join, as a strong mmr.bwship pieces the society on a good footing, making it somewhat independent if vent'ier conditions on show -.lays.

The financial result of t'.e year's transactions has been very satisfactory, the gross profit being .£577 Is. 6d.; of winch £U 3s. 9il. lias been written off the library account for depreciation, and it has' been decided to write the , whole of the remainder, viz., 4!562 7s. 9d., off the buildings, yards,- and plant account. Among the expenditure for 'the year were grants to the Hairke's Bay. Ploughing Match Association of .£2O, and to the Napier Technical Classes Association of ,£lO. „, ... , \s usual the programmes of both shows next season have been thoroughly revised and important ■ alterations , made. The Spring show will take place on October 1G and 17, and the programmes will lie issued at the end of July.