WESTLAND A. & P. ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1928, Page 7

WESTLAND A. & P. ASSOCIATION

ADJOURN FI) A! FETING

Only it moderate number of members attended the adjourned Annual Meeting of the Westland A. and I*. Association. held in the County Chambers # on .Saturday last. Mr 11. T. Parry (President) was in the cnair. Alter the minutes of the last Annual Meeting had boon read and confirmed the Report, and Balance Sheet for the past two years was road and considered. A general discussion took place upon the present position, the trend of which was that speci.nl efforts should he made to put the Association on a sound footing, with a view to the holding of a show in the near future, It was confidently affirmed that if a special canvass of the district was made, both members’ subs and donations from those in sympathy, hut who wore not actual members, would lie forthcoming. Speakers heartily concurred with the recent Press comments on the utility of such an Association, the benefit it could he made to the District, and the desirability of pulling together to give- it new life. The articles in question were specially commended to the notice of all newspaper readers. In this connection, on the motion of Messrs O’Neill and Parry, a hearty vote of thanks to the press and others was directed to he recorded. Messrs O’Neill and Monk wlio lmd at last meeting undertaken to put as far as possible, the claims of the Association before members and other settlers, reported very favourably on the results of their efforts. Several items in the ha,la nee sheet wore reviewed, and a rough estimate made of wliat would be required to carry on for another year. Finally the repaid and financial statement wore formally adopted. With a view to carrying out the expressions of the meeting Messrs W. O’Reilly and J. Fleming were appointed to canvas the Kokatahi district, Messrs J. Monk and T. O’Neil to do likewise in TCoiterangi, Messrs 1). J oil io and 0. McGuigan were appointed for Aralmra,. and Messrs A. Dimmiek and W. Jamieson for Hokitika. Tt is to he hoped that when these gentlemen make their calls those visited will appreciate the importance of keeping fully alive, an Association which can be of so very much use and value to Hie community as a whole, and second the efforts of those who are seeking to make it so. As an earnest of their confidence, and in order to help the present situation some of the members present at the meeting paid their annual subscription in advance.

Before proceeding to the election of officers the Chairman referred to the recent death of a late President, Mr J. At. Dimmiek, who had always been such 'an untiring and enthusiastic supporter of the Association. A motion of condolence and sympathy with Mrs Dimmiek and family was assented to in silence. On the motion of Mr J. Fleming sononded by Mr J. Monk the whole of the retiring officers were re-elect-ed, viz:—President, Air TT. T. Parry; Vice-President. Air T. O’Neill; Committee; Messrs It. Tlouliston, A. J. Dimmiek, J. ATonk. J, Niven, T. O’Neill, J. Fleming, A. 0. Pilkingfon. A. F. Benjamin, F. 0. A!arshall, I). Jellie, 0. P. AlcOuigan. J. J. Mclntosh, and W. O’Reilly: Treasurer. AV. D. Afackay: Auditor, AV. J. Morris.

A general discussion followed in the course of which the matter of railway freights on root fodder ioi cattle from Canterbury was brought before the meeting. One speaker instanced that he had bought mangolds at 15s per ton, and had to pay freight at. the rate of 15s Gd per ton to get them to Hokitika. The consumption of this, class of Poddor 'was increasing throughout the Coast to a considerable degree, and would certainly become greater if facilities in the way of cost of transit, were more favourable. It was known that empty coal trucks had to lie hauled hack from Christchurch, which could just as well by revenue earning by back loading with mangolds a,ml turnips. This would he the case were freights made more reasonable. The matter was considered of such general importance that it was resolved to seek (he help of other local institutions throughout Westland, in order to make a strong representation to the District Traffic Manager. The meeting concluded 'with a vote of thanks to the Chair.