THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1913. A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 June 1913, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1913. A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Chiefly by reason of the generosity of a large number of its members in handing over their land shares, the Helensville A. & P. Association, as shown at the annual meeting last week, ( is in a very satisfactory position. While there has been nothing of a sensational nature in regard to the progress .made by the Society much good has been done in the interests of district farmers by this institution right from the time of its inception. But the scope of an agricultural association is of such a wide order that we can safely say the local organisation has by no means reached the zenith of its usefulness. That the society has made substantial headway is evidenced by the fact that in 190G the prize money totalled only £91, whereas this year the prize list reached £232, The membership list has also shown a- marked increase, the number having gone up from 50 to about 200. The entries have also shown a corresponding increase, and the quality of exhibits also reflects advancement. We are quite in accord, however, with the President's (Mr. J. McLeod) remarks in urging the members to greater activity in the work that comes under the society's jurisdiction. A good deal can bo done by a really live institution to further agricultural and horticultural affairs, also matters affecting " the man on the land " generally, a number of members present at tho animal meeting signified their intention of being active members on the society's behalf, and it is safe to predict that the more energy they display the better will"be the results accomplished during the ensuing year. We hope to see a much larger number of members take an enthusiastic interest in the Association's afi'airs, in which ease future results must be largely to their advantage.

The Kaipara Steamship Company, in conjunction with'the Scllars-Allen Company, have three steamers with packet licenses engaged on the river service between Helensville and Dargaviile, which represent a

revenue of £30 to the local authorities' wheije the licenses are taken out. -jltseems^usv quite a reasonable proposal that one, if not two, of these licenses psjiould be through jJ3elensville"lWn Board. The i Conrpany's offices and practically its headquarters are at Helensville, the boats stay here considerably longer than they do at the northern port, the local roads and town facilities are largely in demand incidental to the river service, and there is substantial reason as to why our town should have a share of these license fees. True the northern ports mainly provide the traffic, but against this is the fact that this end entirely provides the means of conveying the traffic, the whole of the Company's capital being found at this end. The three packet licenses, therefore, should not all be taken out at Dargaville.