A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4793, 24 December 1924, Page 3

A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

HAURAKI PLAINS BODY. FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING. The fourth annual meeting of the Hauraki Plains A. and P. Asosciation was held at Ngatea on Monday afternoon, Mr W. G. Hayward presiding over Messrs T. McLoughlin, W. Benny, P. R. Henry, R. Dibble, J. C. Miller, J. H. Nicholson, I. D, Jones, AV. Herkt, H. Hoff A. J. Innes, W. Booth, G. T. Daivdson, and the secretary, Mr E. AV?, Ron.

In opening the meeting the president deplored the small attendance, which in his opinion, spoke volumes for the lack of interest. He said that this view was ably expressed by one member who up to the present had been one of the keenest workers. This member had written apologising for non-attendance at the annual meeting owing to a prior appointment and stating that he would not. be willing to accept any position on the executive or committee because he had neithei the time nor the inclination. The fact that there must be 150 members who have not paid their subscription gave no encouragement for anyone to try and help to make a success of the show under such conditions. If they were so hard up that they could not pay, then the show was not warranted. On the other hand, if it was through apathy or indifference that they did not pay up, then it was useless ‘ for a few to try to carry on. Therelore, in his opinion, it would be wise to miss at least a year, and probably the defaulting members would be the first to ask what was the matter, and when told might realise their responsibilities—they should be made-to do so anyhow. It had not been his style to throw cold water on anything, but his experience of.the past few years did not tend to make him optimistic. He trusted that he might be wrong in his views.

Continuing, Mr Hayward said that in consequence of the non-payment of subscriptions about £22o' had to be borrowed from the loan account to meet expenses. The position was very serious. At the previous annual meeting a committee had been set u P to canvass for subscriptions, but onlj one guinea was thus collected. At the present time there were more unflnancial members than financial ones. A revenue of at least £5OO a year from al! sources was necessary to run a show. There was a deficit the first year, and now the fourth year also showed less revenue than the £5OO required. There was the alternative of cutting out the show for a year or two or moderating the programme to reduce the expenditure. Mr Henry advocated running a show during the coming year, as the rental received for the showground was insufficient to meet interest and rales. In his opinion, if the show was removed to Kerepeehi and possibly combined with the sports a more successful’return would be secured. Mr AV. Booth pointed cut that -f there was no show' the association would have a burden of at least £lO9 a year more than its income. Mr Hoff stated that a greater rental would be received when the showgroud was again leased, but he thought some restriction should oe placed on the class of cattle grazed on the land. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr W. G. Hayward then vacated the chair and Mr. Walton called for nominations for the office of president. Mr AV. Booth moved, and Mr H. Hoff seconded, that Mr P. R. Henry be appointed to the office. Mr Henry was elected, and in returning thanks said that 'he association had reached a critical period and only an increased interest would enable it to survive. A serious mistake had been made in purchasing more land at the boom period and loading tiie association with a mortgage. The collection of subscriptions was almost an impossible task. As a means of pulling up the finances he suggested a stock drive. Messrs J. H. Nicholson, W. McLoughlin, and W. G. Hayward were elected vice-presidents. Prior to the election of the committee of management the president asked for an expression of opinion as to whether there should be a show this year or not, and if so where it should be held.

Mr Walton pointed out that the next business on the order paper was the appointment of the committee. It should be representative of the whole district, no matter where the show was held.

Mr Booth moved, and Mr Herkt seconded, that a show be held this year, and that it be ,at Kerepeehi. As an amendment Mr Hayward moved that a committee be appointed to go into the question of whether there be a show or not and report to a later meeting.

Mr Walton pointed out that this would possibly delay the decision until it was too late to hold a show this summer.

Mr J. C. Miller ,in seconding, said that the committee could meet within a week or so.

Mr T. McLoughlin advocated holding the show in Ngatea, as owing co the saleyards being available for cattle pens it would be less costly to run there than at Kerepeehi. There was also the possibility of losing members, especially from districts more distant from Kerepeehi than from Ngatea. Mr H. Hoff said that by dropping the show for one year it would be the beginning of the end. Mr AValton said that he could not agree with the amendment, as it would probably mean no show, but he would fevour the motion conditionally upon some modification ’of the ideas of what the show should be. Up to the presen; there had been, leiighly, 50 members from Turua and from Ngatea, and a dozen, or so at Kerepeehi. To Kerepeehi people, therefore, could he attached a great deal of the blame for the non-success of the past season; but there was nothing to say that, with its removal to Kerepeehi and a

moderation of expenditure, .the show snouiu not be a success if supported as it deserved. The president, Mr P. R. Henry, said that ilie showing of cattlj had nor proved a paying proposition. Entry lees had only netted half Hie amount ol tiie prize-money. He advocated that tnis section be cut out for the tiiiie being and something more spectacular, such as horse sports, substituted.

Mr Hayward said that the president had expressed what he had in mind when lie moved the amendment. It was getting away from the principal of an A. and P. show, but would certainly be a better paying proposition, and therefore preferable for a year or two.

Tiie amendment was then put to the meeting, and lost. The motion was then carried. The appointment of the management committee was then proceeded with, and Messrs W. Munro, J. H. Carter, Netherton; A. J, Innes, H, D. Jamieson, H. Hoff, W. Herkt, W. Booth, Kerepeehi; AV. J. Clare, J. £• Darlington, Ngatea;, D. G. McMillan. S. S. Murray, Turua; W. E. Hale, J. G. Miller Kopuarahi; A. R. Vowles, C. H. Waite, Hopai; C. AV. Parfitt, F. Weihs. Pipiroa ; C. W. Harris, R. T. Williams, Waitakaruru ; W. Benny, T. McLoughlin, R. Dibble, Kaihere; and F. J. Mayn, Patetonga, were appointed. The general meeting was then declared closed and a committee meeting held to idscuss formal business. Mr AValton mvoed, and Mr H. Hoff seconded, that Mr AV. Booth be appointee! secretary pro tern. A great deal of discussion ensued as to where committee meetings should be held, arguments being put up in favour of Kerepeehi and Ngatea.

Mr Henry admitted that support from the western side of the river might be lost by centralising at Kerepeehi, but many new members would be picked up from that district. Mr AValton said he did, not think it wise for the president to take that view, as it would amount to members being'told that the show could get on just as well without them, and for such an idea to ge abroad was not «n the ’best interests of the association. Mr AValton moved, and Mr W. Benny seconded, that a meeting of .the committee of management just appointed be held at Ngatea to discuss policy matters.

Mr Hoff said that as the show was to be held at Kerepeehi the policy meeting should be held there so that the support could be gauged by the attendance. The motion was then put to the meeting, and the voting being evenfive each way—the chairman gave his casting vote in favour of Kerepeehi. The Kerepeehi Hall was declared the office of the association for the year. The president a»d secretary were authorised to operate on the banking account. RENTAL OF GROUND. Mr Hoff asked that the new committee review the price charged the Kerepeehi Sports Club flor the use ol the showground for one day for the sports. The Sports Club had found it necessary to effect numerous improvements, which were of a permanent value. The club was of the opinion that £lO or £5 and 25 per cent, of the profits was an excessive charge, considering that the ground was leased for the remaining 364 days in the year for £22. •Mr Walton said the value of the land for leasing purposes could not be taken as a. basis. It was costing the association over £lOO a. year, and no use was made of it by the association. Had it not been for the provision of the ground by the committee the Sports Club would not have had a ground.

Mr Hoff moved, and Mr Herkt seconded. that the charge be reduced to

Mr Walton spoke against the motion, contending that the Kerepeehi people were not showing sportsmanship in asking the people of the rest of the Plains to meet the cost of providing a cheap sportsground forKerepeehi. He was of opinion that the passing of the resolution would do more than anything else to alienate support from the show. The motion was then put and lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it.

Mr Henry moved, and Mr Benny seconded, that the lease of the showground be terminated at the end of Januaiy, and that fresh lenders be called.

The meeting then closed. A meeting of the general committee will be held on Monday next.