A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5097, 7 March 1927, Page 4

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF PLAINS BODY. A general meeting af, members of the Hauraki Plains A. and P. Association was held at Kerepeehi on Friday evening, there being an attendance °f nine. THE DEBTS. The secretary, Mr W. Booth, reported that copies of the Art Union balance-sheet had been sent to all the creditors, as instructed. The Southland Newspaper Co. replied offering to wipe out it.s account, and the Taranaki News Co. offered to reduce its account by half, RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT. The president of the association, Mr P. R. Henry, wrote resigning membership. Tlie secretary pointed out that before Mr Henry’s resignation was accepted he should be asked to l secure payment of the £25 agreed upon by the proprietors of the Kerepeehi Hotel for the right to drain through the showground. This was agreed t<X THE MORTGAGE.

In reply to the secretary’s letter Messrs Miller and Son and Poulgrain, solicitors for the Roman Catholic Church trustees, wrote advising that the matter of the mortgage had been discussed with tjieir clients, who insisted upon a definite arrangement being made immediately for payment of the arrears af interest. The solicitors desired to know the name and address of the tenant of the land, .the amount of rent and how same was paid, It, was suggested that the association should pay the fallowing amounts, in reduction of the interest: Any maney now held by the association ; all future rent payable under the lease o’f the property ; a payment of not less than £5O in reduction of the principal sum not later than April 30 next. Failing a definite arrangement being made by the end of the present month there would be no other course open than ta sell up the property. The secretary reported that the overdue interest amounted to £75. There was s'-me cash in hand and some money due. As a result of the Art Union the association was now hopelessly insolvent, and creditors were pressing on all sides. Some finality should be reached, and a decision should be made to go into voluntary liquidation at once or to attempt something as a means of raising money. The money in hand could not be paid to the mortgagors of the land, as it would thus be.a preferential payment. Legal advice was necessary and the association’s honorary solicitors should be asked to come to its aid,

It was decided to ask Mr E. L. Walt< n, hon. solicitor to the association, to investigate its affairs. Mr J. M. Thompson raised the question of whether the showground could be sold. The land had been given by the Government for the use o’f the people, and it was a peculiar position if the land could be taken from the people. ASSISTANCE REFUSED, Ohincmuri Hotels, Ltd., wrote regarding the position of the association, which had been considered by the directors, who sympathised with the association in regard to the affairs of, the art union, which appeared to be responsible for the present

unfortunate position of the association. The proposal, as it stood, required an advance in the neighbourhood af £750 to £BOO in order to satisfy all creditors in full, and while the closing of the association’s grounus would be deplored it was regretted bv the company that the request could not be acceded to. EASTER MONDAY SPORTS. The matter o,f whether a sports meeting should be held as in previous years was introduced by Mr Jamieson. Mr J. M. Thompson voiced the opinion that the sports should be held. It was an annual event much looked forward to, ami would show a profit, Mr Jamieson pointed out that the association could not run the function. It would be necessary to call a public meeting to discuss the matter. Mr A. Innis supported the idea of holding the sports, as it would demonstrate the value o’f the showground. Mr Booth painted out that tihe prize money would have to be guaranteed.

It was agreed to call a meeting for to-night to discuss the matter.