WESTLAND A. & P. ASSN.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1925, Page 4

WESTLAND A. & P. ASSN.

The special general meeting of members and others called in compliance with a resolution passed at the recent annual meeting of the Association was held on Friday in the Westland County Council Cham hers. The President, Mr J. Dimmick. was in the chair, and there were present: .Messrs 0. I*. AlcGuigan, L. PI. Morel, A. Dimmick, J. Monk. F. McGregor, Vf. Jeffries, J. J. Mclntosh, J. W. Morris, A. R. Elcock, W. E. Richards, A. G. Pilkington, Cook, J. Conning and the Secretary. The Chairman read the minuted resolution of the annual meeting as setting out the business which was to consider whether it. is advisable to continue the Association, and if so considered, that the Committee be elected at that meeting and means he adopted to stir tip farmers who are not members. Air J. J. Mclntosh drew attention to this difficulty again on this occasion of finding a quorum present in order that the business might he proceeded with, and of the needless occupation of the time of these business men who were in attendance. He expressed himself very much disappointed with the position after all the special efforts made to wake up those who ought to he concerned and present. The association and its work was of special value to the. farmers. The townspeople had in the past stood by the Association and were still doing so, hut the farmers liv their apathy and failure to attend were driving tile townspeople to withdraw their support. They would have themselves alone to blame it this hap-

pened. In some districts they com plained that the Association did nothing for them, but what could they expect when they would not help) themselves.

Mr Morel, first apologised for his absence from some of the recent meetings, which was then quite unavoidable,' but lie made a special point ol

being present on this occasion ns lie valued the work and service ol the Association. As a past president over some six or seven years he would regret exceedingly if the Association were not carried on. He was sure the absence of farmers was not due to a desire to see such a thing happen, but that there were many members who were still loyal. He instanced occasions in the past where by unity tliiougn tbe Association, favourable consideration bad been accorded settlers which would not otherwise have been obtained, and assured those present he was prepared to do his share to carry on. Air Jeffries spoke at length as the mover of the resolution to convene this meeting, lie repeated what he had then said, and emphasised the fact that evidently by their non-attendance farmers did not care a straw about their Association. lie had heard it stated, as had others present, by Kokatalii and Koitorangi farmers that they

had their Winter Show, and did not want the A. and P. Show. If that were so why should the townspeople force it. on them. Let them have their Winter Show, but in that ease the farmer should not come around to the townspeople later to help their Winter Show. He felt keenly the hick of interest on the part of the farmers,

and contrasted the mcmlters in membership to indicate that such apathy existed. This was to lie deplored, but despite continued efforts on the part of the willing few it was growing more apparent. Air 0. P. AfcGuigan spoke in similar strain. He was a comparatively new arrival in the district, hut hail been eager to help in every way possible.

Last year lie had canvassed his district for membership, and had during the past week reminded all he could of this meeting. He had received sympathetic replies, but bad not been asked by a single neighbour for a lilt, to town, although his car had seats tor five. There was plenty of t ime for gossip around the Creamery, hot none for a journey to town to such an important meeting as this. Others including .Messrs E. .McGregor. J. Monk. A. Dimmick. .1. Conning and Pilkington spoke, voicing the regret that the country people were not more alive to their interests. Some of the speakers reminded the meeting of the proverbial self-centred attitude of farmers generally, and of the fact that irregular weather prompted them to take advantage of every tine day at this time of t lie* year. Nevertheless the annual shows in the past ha I been well supported and in every instance had proved successful financially. Mr Jeffries stating that lie had heard nothing so far to cause him to change his attitude, moved that in event of the lack of interest in the past and of the difficulty of obtaining quorums at recent meetings this Association ho allowed to lapse. The motion was

seeoiided by .Mr AL-Ouigan, and was further! discussed by tbe meeting, the trend of expression showing a desire to carry on. Throuhgout speakers cugolised the loyal work and expenditure of time on the part of the President and of those who laid carried on the work of the Association in the past. Finally the motion was put to the meeting and on a show of hands was lost by a substantial majority.

At this stage Air Cook, who has recently assumed manngment of the local branch of the Bank of New South Wales was elected a member of the Association.

An executive committee for the ensuing year on the motion of the Chairman seconded by Mr K. McGregor was elected as follows:—Messrs Monk, J. Fleming, W. A. Jamieson, T. Eeclesiicld, It. Boddington, A. Dimmick. T. O’Nqil, J. Minelmn, .7. V. Minehan, T... 11. .Morel. \Y. Olderog, 0. P. McGuigan. 1). Jellie, C. H. Neville, .1. Conning. F. McMregor. A. B. F. I cock, 11. Jones, M. Houston. A. 0. Pilkington, .). \Y. Morris, Cook. W. E. Ricliards, with power to’ add to the number.

Mr J. Dimmick, as President, and Mr J. .J. Mclntosh as Vice-President, had already been elected al the annual meeting. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the business.