HELENSVILLE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 10 July 1914, Page 4

HELENSVILLE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

At the annual meeting of the above Association, held in Stewart's Sample Rooms, last week, the following report and balance sheet were read :— CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Gentlemen, —Your Executive Comittee beg to present their report on the past year's working of the Association, which is as follows: During the year ten general, nine executive, and two extraordinary general meetings were held. As the general and executive meetings were not always on the same night, the meeting have thus been held more than monthly, and have, entailed a good deal of sacrifice and and. travelling on the part of some members. All the meetings were well attended. The annual Show was held, as usual, on January 29, and passed off successfully, the weather being favourable throughout, although heavy rain in the evening quite.spoilt the financial aspect of the social dance. At the Show the usual high standard of exhibits was well maintained, both in the stock and home industries section, and won much admiration from visitors. The comments passed by official judges were in high terms of praise of the quality of horses, and cattle shown; the fat sheep were stated to be practically unbeatable in any show ring in the Dominion, whilst the home industries classes in cookery and needlework were also of outstanding excellence, and in the latter section prizes could only be awarded after long and careful analysing of the articles in competition. Exhibits. —The exhibits shown were certainly of good quality throughout and if better accommodation can be offered these can in future be displayed to greater advantage. There were many complaints as to the condition of the stock pens, and the renewing of the pens for accommodation of the stock will have to be seriously considered in the. near future. The home industry classes, cookery, needlework, stc, are also shown under very disadvantageous conditions, and can only be properly staged in a building erected for that purpose. A marquee will never give full satisfaction. Entries.—The total number of entries showed a: notable increase compared with previous year, but the progress was practically in the tent sections, and therefore at low entrance fees. ,;,A slight falling off in the stock classes made a substantial difference to the returns compared with the slightly increased revenue from the tent exhibits, and the results showed £78 18s 2d from this source against £81 credited for the previous Show. Gate Receipts.—ln addition to the usual holiday attractions on Show Day this year, there was the Auckland Exhibition, which also offered an additional attraction to visitors by way of an aeroplane ascent, and gate receipts were considerably affected thereby. There was a decrease of over £9 compared with previous year, and £22 less than 1912, the record gate takings. Prizes. —The system of paying out prizes met with some criticism, the Society's unwritten law of three entries or no second prize and regulation 31 of two exhibitors or only half-prize payable, being considered unfair to exhibitors. Tour General and Executive Committees discussed same, the chief contentions being, that " exhibitors'' should read " exhibits," or that the

practice of not paying second prize unless a third entry should be abolished. It was eventually agreed to review this question at the anuual meeting of members. Prize money due to Mr Aitkenhead of £1 15s 3d was donated to the Society as a protest against regulation 31,

Catering.—Owing to the disinclination of caterers to attend the Show, the Society was compelled at short notice to undertake the catering. This involved the Chairman particularly, and others, in a good deal of extra labour, also expense, by reason of everything having to be done in such a short time. The wages paid in this department totalled £8 12s 6d, goods, etc., £33 16s 6d, marquee hire £5 7s 6d, or a total expenditure of nearly £50. The receipts were £54 3s Id, which shows a small profit of £4 3s Id, but to this should be reckoned the saving effected by the Society in regard to lunch tickets for stewards, committee and others, which should be set down at £8 Bs, and was probably more. The experience gained by the Society should also be regarded as an asset, as it demonstrated what could be done if taken in hand early enough; if this be undertaken and ample preparation made, the advisability of continuing to run this department might seriously be considered.

Members.—During the year 26 new members were elected. One resignation dealt with and accepted. There is need, however, for a much larger membership so as to better the Society's position, and members are urged to use their best efforts to increase the membership, The present roll-number nothing like represents the agricultural interests of the district, and if the Society is to progress and attain its true position among kindred associations, a larger membership is imperative.

Finance.—The finances of the Association are not in a prosperous condition. At the end of August, 1913, the Bank overdraft was so near the limit of £1000, that a sum of £17 had to be advanced by the Secrtary to meet .the interest charges and keep the account to the £1000. A further overdraft of £100 was arranged, but this was cancelled at the end of February. The current income had thus to meet expenses of £20 16s for tile draining, £12 11s for surveying, £1310s for repairs to stop-bank, £13 10s Id for rates, and other items which absorbed Show money, and suspended payment of prizes, etc., unsil a further arrangement was made for the extra £100 in April. A special donation of £8 8s was made by the Kaipara Rugby Union towards the tile-draining of the grounds. The Show prize account benefiited to the extent of £5 ss, being a special donation by the Directors of the Kaipara Dairy Company. Several members, however, withdrew from the list of cash donators to the prize list, which tended to further hamper the workings of the Association. It was hoped that the 34 acres of land cut up and offered for sale would soon improve the Society's finances, but although there was a good enquiry the prices fixed were considered too high, and no business resulted. The heavy burden, however, of interest charges, £58 18s, makes it essential that something be d one to bring about relief. The Show Account.—Although a lesser degree of support was given in comparison with the previous year, it shows a credit balance of £35 14s 6d. The assets are set down at £21 6s; and on the liability side are accounts for £3813s lOd; whi Ist the secretary's salary and audit fee (£27 2s) are also put down as a liability on the show account, but are not fully chargeable against the Show working, as similar items for the previous Show appear in this year's balance sheet. The heavy and unusual expenditure on the general account, considerably in excess of the income, explains the Society's Bank overdraft. As a lot of this expenditure will not occur again an improved position should be shown next year. All members, however, are urged to use their best efforts to improve the Society's finances.

[For the Executive Committee] JAS. McLeod, Chairman, W. H. HUTCHINSON, Sec. & Treas.