A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4590, 20 August 1923, Page 2

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

HAURAKI PLAINS MEETING. NEXT SHOW AT NGATEA. The annual meeting of the Hauraki Plains A. and P. Association was held at Ngatea on Friday last. Owing co the absence of trie president, Mr P. R. Henry, who was ill, Mr W. G. Hayward was elected to the chair. About thirty members were present. ANNUAL REPORT. The annnual report was read as follows:— “Your Committe herewith presents its third annual report and balancesheet, which it recommends, you to adopt “ The third annual show ’ was again a success. The attendance was an improvement, on the previous year, and the class of exhibits was above the standard of the two preceding years, though there was a slight decrease in the number in some classes. “Since the end of the financial year all liabilities have been paid, and the receipts have proved sufficient to meet the expenses, including the interest on loan. “The Committee regrets the delay in the issue of the title to the Kerepeehi Showground, which prevented any steps being taken to improve the ground and thus increase the revenue therefrom. The balance of loan has now been paid over, and if thought fit to use the same there is the sum of £606 in hand which is available for improvements. The Grounds Committee met recently at Kerepeehi, and will present, its report and recommendations, which include plans of its proposed improvements, “ Your committee desires to record its thanks for the generous help given by the Ladies’ Committee, the Judges, and Stewards on and before Show Day ; Also to Mr Clare and the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, Ltd., for kindly granting the use of grounds and yards on Show Day.” BALANCE SHEET. The balance-sheet showed that the prize money amounted to £167 Ils, secretary’s salary £75, postage,, etc., £l2 0s 9d, advertising £1 4s. refreshments £lO 18s 3d, interest c-n loan £6B ss, printing, etc., £3l ,15s 4d, motorcar hire £4 10s, judging expenses £3, use of roller £2, land drainage rates £lO 6s 4d, sundry expenses £5 9s_3d, which with an amount of £23 18s 6d in hand made a total of £415 18s sd. The receipts were made up of cash in hand and at bank £7 10s Id, membership fees £147 18s 6d, donations £4S 4s 6d, entry fees £97, ground space £lO 10s, advertising £7 10s 6d, gate money £5B 5s 9d, weight-guessing £ll Is 6d, sundry receipts £3 Us Id. the balance being £24 6s 6d. The statement showed an excess of assets over liabilities of £122 6s Id. While discussing the balance-sheet Mr D. G. McMillan pointed out the large amount of . outstanding subscriptions. Almost half the members were unflnancial. The secretary stated that all these mon had received three notices to pay. Members pointed out that an unsatisfactory state of affairs existed, as in all probability these men had used .their privileges to the utmost. It was decided, aftei' much discussion, that a committee of five .be set up to deal with the matter. The following were appointed: Messrs C. H. Waite, Ngatea; J. H. Nicholson, Kerepeehi ; J. G. Miller, Kopuarahi; P. R. Henry, Turua; and J. Munro, Netherton. The annual report and balancesheet was adopted on the motion of Mr J. H. Nicholson, seconded by Mr J. Munro. . ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Patrons, Mr H. Poland, M.P., and Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P. (re-elected) ; President, Mr W, G. Hayward; vicepresidents, Messrs D. J, O’Carroll, P. R. Henry, and C. H. Waite ; management committee, Messrs J. Munro and J. H. Carter (Netherton), J, H. Nicholson, A. J. Innis, H. D. Jamieson (Kerepeehi), J. T, Darlington, W. J. Clare (Ngatea), D. G. McMillan, P. R. Henry, and S. S. Murray (Turua), D. J. O’Carroll, J. G. Miller (Kopuarahi), F. L. Wallis and C. W. Parfitt (Piniroa), A. R. Vowles, and C. H. Waite (Hopai), -A. Cleaver and J. Banks (Rawerawe), R,_ T. Williams and C. W. Harris (Waitakaruru), W. Benny and T. McLoughlin (Kaihere), J. F. Mayn (Patetonga) ; finance committee, Messrs D, J. O’Carroll, P. R. Henry, and W. G. Hayward. GROUND COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Mr P. R. Henry, on behalf of the grounds committee, wrote enclosing a plan, prepared by the Lands Office, and notes setting out improvement proposals for members’ consideration. The proposals' were : Draining 70% chains of open drain, £52 10s; 35 chains of tile drains,. £35 ; fencing 108 chains £l4O, and repairs to existing fences £l6 10s ; ploughing, tilling, and grass seed for 10 acres< £4'o; gatewavs, two main entrances and one stock entrance, £l2; ring of sawn posts, wire, and labour, £is ; hurdles, £lB 10s ; total, £329 10s. After providing for the foregoing expenditure there would still' remain the sum of £270 10s for further improvements, and the following proposals were put forward for consideration: (1) To sei aside an improvement reserve fund for future necessaries of £100; (2) to erect 150 cattle stalls at a cost of £lO each and holding yards and judging rings, at a cost of £lOO ; (3) to spend on clearing rushes £5O; (4) erect public conveniences, £2O 10s. After carefully considering all the items set forth the opinion was expressed that the work could be carried out. within the prescribed cost, and that it would only be by carrying out these permanent improvements and removing the show to the association’s own ground at Kerepeehi that any degree of permanency would be attained. The suggestion had been put to the Kerepeehi Sports Association that it should combine its efforts with the A. and P. Association to carry out a two-days programme, which would include woodchopping and other sports events, thereby adding- considerable interest to the public. The suggestion met with favourable comment j

It was decided that the considera- . tion of the improvements and the question, of a show site be voted to the Kerepeehi ground, Mr W. G. Hayward said that in i‘s present state it was a burden on the association. It would bring in more revenue if improved. Mr McDuff said that the £6OO the association had in hand should not be spent on improvements, but returned to the mortgagor. The ground should be leased, with a clause stipulating that certain improvements be done. On Mr Carter’s motion, seconded by Mr J. H. Nicholson, it was agreed to discuss ground improvements first. Mr Nicholson moved that the report of the Grounds Committee be adopted. Mr J. H. Carter seconded. Mr A. Carter said that the show would eventually go to Kerepeehi, and that trie improvements should be gone on with arid the ground put in firstclass order so that it would be revenue producing. The secretary pointed out that about £3OO was suggested for permanent improvements and only about £2O for show purposes. Mr J. Bratlie contended that the show should be held at Ngatea, as it had better facilities. »- Mr D. G. McMillan said that mem- * bens should sink their differences and decide once and for all where the show was to go. Land for the showground had been presented at Kerepeehi and the old committee had, on the strength of this, borrowed £l3OO for improvements, etc. It was a vote of no confidence in the old committee to turn down the improvement scheme. The chairman said that tne position was that the association bad to meet about, £125 per annum for interest, rates, etc. The ground at present was covered with rushes, and unless improved it could hot be made revenueproducing. Mr C. H. Waite said that, whether or not the show would be held at Kerepeehi next year the question of improvements should be decided. Drainage, fencing, the planting of .trees, the cutting of rushes, etc., should be done. Mr A. Carter supported this, and moved as an amendment that the work necessary for permanent improvements, including the cutting at rushes, on the whole.area, but with-_ out the work for purely show purposes, which would be decided after the question of the site for the next show was settled, be put in hand. Mr Waite seconded. After a lengthy discussion it was . decided to consider the items in the report separately, Air Schultz moved, and Mr McDuff seconded, that the £6OO be handed back and the ground leased for five years with provision for improvements. Mr McMillan said that if this proposition was carried it would be the death of the association. This amendment was lost by 13 to 7. The amendment to take trie items separately was lost by 11 to 7. The first amendment, providing that permanent improvements only be done until the site question was decided, was then put to the meeting and carried. SHOW SITE. Mr J. Bratlie moved that the show be held at Ngatea. Mr t .„W. J. Clare seconded. Mr A. Carter spoke\ against the motion, contending that as the show would eventually go to Kerepeehi,. the sooner the better. Mr J. Carter also spoke against the motion. Mr C. H. Waite contended that Ngatea was more accessible than Kere- «- peehi. Mr J. C. Miller supported the motion, stating that the work just agreed to would not put the ground in order by show time. For this year the show should be held at Ngatea, and afterwards at Kerepeehi. Mr A. Vowles said that there was already accommodation for stock at Ngatea, whereas it. would cost about £lOOO for equal facilities at Kerepeehi. Mr D. G. McMillan spoke in favour of Kerepeehi, contending that the ground could be made suitable in time for the show. . Mr W. G. Hayward said that two years previously the two Ngatea yards were filled, and last year pens had to be erected. Mr W..E. Hale said he was not prepared to support the motion unless the mover was prepared to add a clause recommending that the committee push on with the Kerepeeni ground so that future shows could be held there. Mr Bratlie would not agree to the suggestion. Mr W. G. Hayward said that if the next show day happened to be wet and the show not a success the expenses would not be so heavy at Ngatea. . On the motion being put to the ( meeting it was carried by 16 votes to 9. • Mr Hayward said that the opportunity should not pass without a vote of thanks to the late president, Mr PR. Henry.—Carried by acclamation. ?.Ir D. G. McMillan proposed thaiu. Mr W. J. Clare be made a life member of the association as a mark of appreciation for the great assistance he had been to the association in the past, and that a letter of appreciation be sent tp him. The motion was well supported, and carried unanimuosly. Mr Clare responded, and said that he would continue to help the association. Messrs J. T. Darlingti-n, A. E. Vickers, H. Hoff, W. Herkt, and J. J. Jenkin were elected members.