PLAINS SHOW GROUNDS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4344, 18 November 1921, Page 3

PLAINS SHOW GROUNDS.

PURCHASE OF GOVERNMENT AREA. DECISION OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive committee of the Hauraki Plains Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at Kerepeehi yesterday, Mr P. Henry (president) occupying the chair. The following were present: Messrs J. Munro, Halliburton JohnStone, B. Waite, T. Vowles, W. McDutf, G. . T. Davidson, R. Burke, D. G. McMillan, J. H. Carter, W. G. Hayward, J.' H Nicholson, A. Chatfield, D J. O’Carroll, and N. G. Davidson. Apologies were received from Messrs C.W. Parfitt and C. W. Harris. The president congratulated the members on the large muster. The committeemen fir ( st inspected v the grounds, with the idea of obtaining a first-hand knowledge of file portions which were under option of purchase. There was only one application for the position of secretary, that of Mr s E. Walton, ,who was duly elected amidst congratulatory remarks from various members. The secretary’s salary would be the same as the previous secretary, had received, namely, £125 per' annum, PURCHASE OF LAND. The president, iff opening the discussion regarding the purchase of land for show purposes, said that there were few members who had been conversant with the lay of the land.

. Mr McMillan moved that the association purchase the eight acres offered by the Government, but not to consider Mr Bagnall’s property? , Mr J, H. Carter seconded, and the motion was carried. The president was of the opinion that a small committee should be appointed to consider the inclusion of two sections regarding which there was some doubt. Mr Davidson said the meeting had been uncautipus in not waiting for an amendment, as there was doubt about the price. Mr Chatfield said the price was -definite, but doubt only about the two sections. Mr Halliburton Johnstone suggested asking the Government to let the association have the land at a reduced price, as land was decreasing in value. Mr Chatfield thought the G,ovel;nment would not reduce the price.; Mr Johnstone: There’s no harm in trying. Mr Chatfield : We might get a rap? over the knuckles. Mr Johnstone: Well, we’l,l take a rap over'the knuckles. • Mr McMillan thought the associa- ( tion, compared with other" as'socia--5 tions, was in a very favourable posL tion. Mr Hayward moved that a subcommittee consisting of the chairman and secretary and Mr Chatfield be deputed to arrange for the purchase of the sections, and if section 16 was mot included in the land to be purchased, the subcommittee should take steps to procure it. • Mr Davidson said he was given to understand at the meeting ati Ngatea that Mr Bagnall’s section was the one which should be bought. The president said that until they had viewed the grounds they were in the dark as to which should .be purchased. 1

Mr Hayward said sectior? 16 would give good access from the road to the showground. Mr Davidson said that the association should be absolutely sure of what it was purchasing, Mr McMillan seconded Mr Hayward’s motion, which was carried. Mr Munro moved a resolution that the meeting approve of the action of the president and secretary. in calling that meeting for Kerepeehi ro explain the position regarding the exact locality and position of the

ground. Mr O’Carroll, endorsing Mr Munro’s motion, said the idea was a wise one. The motion was carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Messrs Henry (president), Hayward, and McMillan were electled as a finance committee. The president asked what policy the finance . was to adopt. ,Mr Mic Duff: What money is available.? The President: About £l3OO has been offered. Mr Davidson thought there would be a big saving as the yards would probably not'be required to be concreted. The president thought that .was so, but the cost of erecting yards should be defined. Mr Carter thought the rushes should be cleared away immediately. Mr Hayward thought drainage was the first essential. Mr Vowles was of the opinion that tfbes should be planted. The president thought a special grounds committee should be elected to report on the cattle yards, etc., to a. general meeting. The president said the meeting should decide whether tihe association was to borrow enough to purchase the ground and make improvements or borrow enough only for the purchase of the grounds, Mr Chatfield moved that the association should borrow, if possible, £l3OO on a security of 34 acres. They should make provision to enable the association to’ pay tihe full amouuback at any time. Mr Johnstone moved an amendment that the association borrow £BOO, and Mr Hayward seconded, saying that the amount would buy the land and be sufficient to put in bne drain. Mr Davidson aslced for the difference in the cost of raising £BOO and £l3OO. Mr Walton said that the fees bn £l3OO would be about £3l, and on U c smaller amount about £22. The amendment was lost by 10 votes to 3, and the motion was carried. The matter of raising the money was left to.the finance committee, to

make the. best deal it could. COMMITTEE. The following seven were appointed as a grounds committee : Messrs Nicholson, Carter, O’Carrol), McDuff, Burke, Vowles, and Davidson. It was resolved to hold a committee meeting in the near future, in order to ccnsider alteration of rules. The secretary was deputed to ascertain a suitable date for the com’ng show and to obtain a judging card. ;