Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 250, 27 April 1896, Page 2

Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association.

The annual meeting of members of the Association was held at the Theatre Royal, Falmerston, on Saturday There were over 187 present, and Mr L. Wallis, President, occupied the chair. The annual report was presented to the meeting as followg : — The receipts for the year totalled £1463 Is lid, being £164 13s 8d more than the previous year, and there 'has been an increase of £134 16s 2d in the overdraft due to the land expenditure. A perusal of the balancesheer, will show that substantial progress has been made in several directions, viz. : There has been an increase of £64 in members' subscriptions, an increase of £98 7s 6d in special prizes and donations, and an increase of £97 8s in the receipts from gates, privileges, and rent of ground and stands. This is the more gratifying when it is remembered that 380 extra ladies' tickets were given free to members. While the total expenditure has in* creased — owing to nearly £400 more than last year having been spent on improvements and land purchase — the Committee have been able to economise in several directions without impairing efficiency. For instance, while more newspapers were advertised in than erer before, and 6000 extra copies of the prize schedule circulated, the total cost of our printing and advertising was £38 less than last year. A gratifying feature of the expenditure was the fact that the judges' expenses only came to £26 7s 3d, as against £78 last year ; Messrs J. H. Coleman, G. Hunter, E. W. Edwards, A. M Williams, A. McßLenzie, J. Shane, and C. Elgar refusing to take any refund from the Association. Considerable alterations and improvements were made in the Showgrounds, at a cost of £301 19s 4d, or £188 more than was spent during the previous year. The improvements included the erection of a secretary's office, stewards' and press rooms (which have been found a great convenience), and the extension and re-arrangement of the oval and the jumps for the hunt ers' competition. Your Committee decided to hold an autumn show in March last, and considerable trouble was taken by a subcommittee in drawing up a schedule, <fee, but owing to the fact that some members objected to the fixture, chiefly because it was thought it would jeopardise the spring show, a general meeting of members was called, at which it was decided to abandon the idea. A number of members are of opinion that some such exhibition is necessary in the interests of the small farmers of the district, and would like to see the matter taken up heartily during the ensuing year and brought to a successful fruition. Our tenth annual show, held on the 23rd and 24th October last, proved even a greater success than previous ones, both in point of attendance and number of entries ; also, every class showing an increase. The ram fair was held in February, but Messrs Abraham and Williams took the whole of the responsibility of the affair off the shoulders of the Committee. Although the quality of the animals entered was particularly good, competition was not at all keen, and farmers were able to purchase the best rams at very low prices. A properly audited statement of the receipts and expenditure of the Association for the past year is appended hereto. As a recognition of his efforts on behalf of the Association and his liberal donations to the funds, Mr A. McHardy, of Longlands, Hawke's Bay, was elected a life member of the Association. The balance-sheet, as already published, was laid on the table. Mr M. Cohen moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. He thought whatever opinion may have existed as to the somewhat Budden changes which took place at last election of the committee, the majority of the members would agree with him that the success attending the year's management had amply justified their selection. Mr D. Fraser seconded the motion, which. was carried unanimously. In answer to Mr Greer, the chairman said members of the Association would require to pay their subscriptions before they would be allowed to vote. The election of President was then proceeded with, the chairman announcing that D. Fraser had withdrawn. Mr A. S. Baker said he wonld like to join with Mr Cohen in saying they ought to express their best thanks to the committee of last year for the excellent organisation and the efficient way in which they carried out their duties. He hoped they would not allow any personal considerations to weigh with them in the selection of officers^ but would endeavour to make the Association as widely representative as possible. Mr Pirani challenged Mr Baker's statement that a very large proportion of Palmerston men had been nominated for the committee. He did not believe there were live men resident in the borough who were nominated — in fact be believed the number could be reduced to four— and therefore any statement Mr Baker had made about an attempt being made to exclude those representing outside districts must fall to the ground. Mr Dairy m pie urged upon those present the desirableness of making the committee of the Association as widely representative as they possibly could. Messrs E. N. Barraud, J. H. Hankins, and C. J. Munro were appointed scrutineers for the election, which resulted as follows : — F. Pirani ... 96 D. P. Buchanan 87 * For the posts of committee-men, 48 were nominated (36 being required) and the ballot resulted as follows :— H. Gillies, Palmerston North, 157 ; J,- T. Dalrymple, Bulls, 154 ; S. R. Lancaster, Fitzherbert, 153 ; L. Wallis, Fitzherbert, 150 ; R. Stevens, Kairanga, 149 ; F. Y. Lethbridge, Feilding, 143 ; G. Wheeler, Halcombe, 130 ; D. G. Couper, Campbelltown, 129 ; C. Dunk, Bainesse, 128 ; A. E. Bussell, Stoney Creek, 128 ; J. R. MeLennan, Oroua Downs, 127 ; ; D. Fraser, Lower Rangitikei, 126 ; H. Booth. Makino, 125 ; D. P. Buchanan, Kiwitea, 124; F. S. Mcßae, Stoney Creek, 123 ; W. H; Hartgill, Danevirke, 120; A. S. Baker, Awapuni, 120; D. G. Mbnrad, Kareie, 118 ; R. Linton, Halcombe, 116 ; F. W. Sewell, Stoney Creek, 115 ; A. Conway, Colyton, 114 ; C. A. J. Levett, Kiwitea, 111 ; R. Aldworth, Marton, 110 ; F. « P. i Snow, Palmerston North, 109 ; T. Knight, Rangitikei Line, 106; F. R. Jackson, Wanganui, 104 ; R. J. Munro, Fitzherbert, 104 ; L. A. Abraham, Palmerston Nortb, 102; S. Standon, Fitzherbert, 97 ; T. R. Hodder, Karere, 96 ; W. P. Kendall, Fitzberberfc, 95 ; H. Bryant, Stoney Creek, 95 ; M. Cohen, Palmerston N., 94 ; L. 8. O'Loughliu, Kairanga, 91 ; S. W. Luxford, Awapuni, 90 ; 'A. W. SkermaUi

RaDgitikei Line, 90. The above named were declared elected. Mr Wbeeler moved, " That the last clause of rule 3be altered to read : Any member may commote his annual subscription by the payment of ten pounds for tbat stated purpose,, and thns constitute himself a life member. Complimentary life membership shall be conferred only at the annual general meeting, aud notice thereof shall be in the bands of the Secretary 14 days previously.". He said his object was to make it clear that the payment of £10 for the specific purpose of commuting the annual subscription entitled a member to life membership, and not donations, extending over a period, "which in * the aggregate amounted to £10. Mr A. E. Russell seconded the motion. Mr Pirani moved an amendment to strike out tbs words " annual general meeting " with the view of inserting " general committee meeting." It was a reflection upon the committee to take away the power which they held and which he contended they were fully' capable of using judiciously. After some discussion, Mr "Wheeler accepted Mr Piranrs amendment, and the motion as amended was passed. Mr Batchelar moved that no re-admis-sion passes be issued at the show. These passes Were so manipulated by people' that by one payment of a shilling dozens • of persons were admitted, and the rereceipts of the gates were considerably affected thereby. Dr Monckton seconded the motion. During discussion, Messrs Batchelar and Johnston gave instances of fraudulent manipulation of these passes which had come under their notice at last year's show, the former gentleman stating the loss to the Associatien by that means at about £100. The motion, on being put to the meeting, was lost by 48 to 39. Mr R. S. Abraham moved a hearty vote of thanks to their chairman, Mr Wallis. Mr Wallis had devoted himself heart and sour to the interests of the Association, and bad carried out bis duties with very great ability. The motion was seconded by Mr Gillies and carried amidst cheers, Mr Wallis briefly returning thanks. On the motion of Mr Carr, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring committee. The following were elected Vice-Presi-dents: — Messrs A. McHardy (Hawke's BajO. J- W. Marshall (Marton;, W. T. Wood and R. S, Abraham (Palmerston North). Mr J. M. Johnston was elected Treas- ' urer, and Mr G. J. Scott, auditor.— Standard. •