VETERINARY CLUB.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4763, 13 October 1924, Page 2

VETERINARY CLUB.

MEETING AT NGATEA. FINANCIAL MATTERS DISCUSSED. Considerable discussion took place at the monthly meeting of the executive of the Farmers’ Veterinary Club held at Ngatea on Thursday afternoon on the present position of the club. The secretary reported that outstanding subscriptions and moneys due for medicines, etc., supplied, totalled many hundreds of pounds. There was in the bank at the present time about £lO, and accounts due amounted to over £6O. Members pointed out that the position was becoming very serious indeed. Mojnth after month the executive had to go round to members on bended knees to endeavour to collect sufficient money to pay for drugs and Up to the present extreme action had not been taken except in exceptional cases, because the difficulties under which settlers had been labouring were fully realised, but now that the milking season had arrived this would have to be done unless members paid up better than in the past. The club was a great acquisition to the district, and its surgeon was a-, good a man as could be obtained anywhere. It would be a calamity if his services were to be lost to the district. This was generally realised by farmers, yet a great many would not become members until one of their animals required attention. Some few would destroy the animal, thinking they could not afford to have it treated, or would attempt the job themselves with varying results. The annual subscription to the club was only £5, less tnan the value of one animal, which might be lost if not given expert attention. The majority, however, by promising to become members secured the services uf the veterinary surgeon which the club had made possible to have in the district, and numerous instances could be quoted of such men, after having received professional services, refusing to join and neglecting to paj\ the non-member's fee, which though quite reasonable for such expert attention was quite high enough to induce them to become members. In such cases the executive would not be doing its duty to the club if it did not take extreme action to collect the fees. As indicated by the secretary, members’ subscriptions outstanding totalled many hundreds of pounds, and it was equally unfair to those who paid promptly if these were not brought into line. It aU accounts were paid promptly the club would be in a position to provide its surgeon with a motor-car, which would enable him to give members better service. The radius of his activities could then be enlarged, and the additional income would pay for the car and its upkeep. The provision of a car has been much discussgd by the executive, but it has not had the finance to branch out in this direction. Mr Schultz mentioned that members had offered their services to organise functions to raise money for this purpose. This was discussed, and though nothing was decided upon, the proposal may take definite form at a later date." Discussing the position generally, the veterinary surgeon, Mr J. Costello, said that there were so few financial members in. the area over which he operated that, in his opinion, it was almost impossiole to run a club successfully. He had nothing but praise for the executive, who had done wonders to keep .the organisation aiive so long, lie fully realised the uphill fight and the difficulties they had to overcome to collect sufficient to pay him his salary, and he would not take it as a personal matter if they decided to wind up the club oi to employ a cheaper man. He would not like to leave the club, especially when it was in an unfinancial position, but he could not see much indication of ah improvement, so would ask the executive not to consider him too much. Mr A. J. Andrews said that he was glad to hear the surgeon’s views, but he would not think of letting him go so that a student could be employed. ’ There was, however, no doubt that the club’s position at the present time was very weak, and that it had only been the energy of the executive and the secretary that had kept it alive. Unless the position improved it would no doubt be a good proposition to wind the club up. The surgeon could then, if he so desired, continue to practice in the district on his own account. Very decided views on the question of getting a cheaper man were expressed by the president of the club, Mr C. H. Waite, who said that, in his opinion nothing would cause the dub to be wound up quicker than to lose Mr Costello. The present financial position had been caused by the exceptional seasons recently experienced. In reply to Mr Davidson Mr Andrews said that many years ago the Farmers’ Union had made earnest representations to get a Government subsidy. Various reasons had been given. In regard to .the financial position, the club had hundreds of pounds owing to it, and when this was collected the position would be very satisfactory. The club was sound, but the conditions were adverse at the present time. As the season progressed it would probably improve. The annual meeting was in March, and the executive would continue its battle until then. Routine business transacted at the meeting included the acceptance of resignations from two members who had given up dairying and the adoption of the surgeon's monthly report. During the month the surgeon had attended animals belonging to 36 mem- _ bers and several belonging to nonmembers. A committee was set up to go into the matter of collecting certain debts, and was- empowered to take the debtors to court if necessary.