A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5023, 6 September 1926, Page 2

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF HAURAKI BODY'. The twenty-eighth apnual meeting of the Hauraki Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at the Gaiety Theatre, Paeroa, on Thursday evening, the president (Mr W. H. Hall) presiding over an attendance of a,bout 30 members. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was- read by the secretary (Mr Edwin Edwards) as follows :—• “In presenting the 28th annual ieport of the association your committee desires- to place on record aiiothei successful year from the show point of vie,w. The exhibition of stock and horses displayed at the show last December was indeed gratifying from the Quality standpoint, but could have been improved upon numerically. “Stock Section. —As- -usual the Jerseys were the dominant breed exhibited, and they competed ‘for the Captain Hubbard Memorial Cup, as there were no entries from the Ayrshire breeders, whose, turn it was to compete for the trophy. The competition for the cup was very keen, and the group exhibited by the association’s president (Mr W. J. Hall) was awarded the first place. “Competition in thg Sheep and Shorthorn sections showed an increase on previous years, but there was a falling off in the Friesian section, and there were no Ayrs-hires exhibited at all.

The classes in the Milch Stock section were well contested, and it is pleasing to record that the competition for the N.Z. Insurance Company’sSilver Cup was again wdn by Mr John Harms, who has now won the trophy outright. Your committee desires to congratulate Mr Harms on his success and to take this opportunity to express- the thanks of the association to him for his long and loyal support. “Horse Sections. —In the section for draught horses the competition was only fair, and entries in this section have each year shown a falling-off. The thoroughbred entries were of a high order, although they were not numerous, but each year there has been a slight increase. The classes for harness horses, ponies, hacks, and hunters, all maintained their previous high standard, .the class- of animal being good and the competition keen. The association is indeed fortunate in getting the support of so many outside exhibitors for these clasess. "Financial. —Dealing with the financial side of the association’s affairs, it will be noticed from the balancesheet that the. year’s operations show ■a', small, profit of £l5 9s 9d, but this can only be maintained provided the members whose subscriptions are in arrear pay up. Every effort has been made by the se.cretai-y to collect all subscriptions, but it now becomes necessary to solicit the support of members themselves to assist in this direction.

“Another way the members can assist the. association is to give their support and patronage to the 'cattle sales held in the association’s yards at Paeroa. From this avenue the association receives one-half per cent, of the value, of the stock sold. There i-~-no reason why tho sale should not be a most profitable one, and the association should be able to derive quite a substantial revenue from the yards if members will .only' 'assist. “In conclusion the commitee desires to place- on record its- appreciation for services rendered 40 the association by Mr W. J. Hall, who has so ably filled the position of prqsidery; for the past two years-; to the chief stewards, Messrs E. P. Fathers, C. Sltembridge, and J. W. Silcoek, and to the willing 'workers who assisted at show on ' the grounds and elsewhere. We also wish to thank Mr W. H. Hamilton, domain caretaker, for his generous help. It is- also recommended that the association should express its thanks to the many tradespeople who assiste.d by giving donations ,to the prize fund, and to Mr AV. Ba,-in for the free use of his room for meetings. “Finally we ask that -members, during the ; forthcoming season, to assist by promptly paying their subscriptions and by getting as many new members as- poss-ble, and also by exhibiting a little more freely at the show.” •

The president said that some heartburning had taken place because complimentary tickets had not been sent at the time the dates of the show were, sent to members, but he thought that the association should stand firm. The outstanding subscriptions showed an increase on those of last year. It could not be helped if some members resigned. The secretary mentioned that in place of the few resignations received there had been an increase in new members. Mr A. Steedman said th L a,t the subscriptions outstanding represented a large sum of money, and he thought the association should sue for th© recovery of subscriptions.

Mr H. J. Hare said tnat the association was placed in a very false position as it stood. Mr G. Buchanan said that the bank overdraft and interest made a serious handicap to the association. He suggested that promissory notes should be sent to defaulters. • Many' people had a horror of such notes, and such an action might result in a large sum being recovered.

Mr Hare thought that the membership list should be purged and the matter placed on a different business footing. He suggested .that promissory notes for three months should be sent to the worst offenders, and moved in that direction. Seconded by Mr Buchanan and carried.

Mr E. W. Porritt pointed out that if a person gave a trophy or a donation be automatically became a member. A sub-committee comprising the president, secretary, and Messrs Porritt, Hare, and Steedman was set up to revise the members’ list. RERSIGNATIONS. The resignations of Messrs F. H. Claxton, G. Sarjant, A'. Hazelton, and I. Robinson were received with regret.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Patron, Mr W. J. Hall; president, Mr H. J. Ha,re; vice-presidents, Messrs J. W. Silcoek, C. A. Stembridge, A. F. Thorp ; chief stewards-, Messfis C. A. Stembridge (cattle), W. F. Johnstone (horses), J. W. Silcoek (gate) ; auditor, Mr G. E. Allen ; call steward, Mr N. Beattie; schedule committee, the president, secretary, and two chief stewards. Executive and general committees were also set up. SHOW DATES. It was decided that the annual show be held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 1 and 2. ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT. It resolved to hold the annual smoke concert on the first night of the show. PIG CLASSES. The president intimated that Mr T. C. Arnold, of Paeroa, had suggested that provision should be made for pig classes, and had offeyed to assist in obtaining entries. The matter was referred to the schedule committee, with power to act. SECRETARY’S SALARY. A lengthy discussion ensued as to the salai-y paid to the secretary. A motion to reduce the amount by £25 was negatived by 17 votes to 4. DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY’. Mr Johnstone said that he thought the committee should consider the realisation of some of its property, and thereby .reduce the bank overdraft. The secretary advised selling the station Road property. The revenue received amounted to" 6s a week, while the rates totalled about £l7, and in addition there were a,nnual expenses in connection with the clearing of drains and noxious weeds. Mr Porritt suggested that if theP r °' perty was disposed of it would be advisable to retain an area as a right-of-way from Station Road to, the s-ale-yards.

It was resolved that it be a recommendation to the land and finance committee to dispose of three sections in Station Road.