HELENSVILLE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 26 August 1915, Page 3

HELENSVILLE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING

THERE was a goodly number of members in attendance at the Star Theatre supper room on Monday, 23rd inst, when the President (Mr Jas. McLeod) occupied the chair.

The reading of the annual balance sheet was the first business, which was taken as read, and adopted; this showed a debit balance on the last Show of £28 2s Bd, after paying all liabilities, including some of previous Show. The wet weather experienced, of course, had much to do with the poor state of the finances. The Treasurer's and Secretary's reports were then read as follows and approved of .— TREASURERS' REPORT The Chairman ann" Members of the Asssociation— Your balance sheet for the year shows an increase of Bank overdraft from £1020 12s 5d to £1168 lis 9d, representing a sum of £147 19s 4d. The Show balance sheet shows a dr. balance of £28 2s 8d on the Show. Against this we have assets : Members' fees outstanding, £30; goods, £4 10s; Liabilities : £7 Bs. If assets are realised this will leave a net dr. balance on the Show of £1 Os Bd.

The gate money on the first day totalled £9 2s-9d, and on the second day £30 15s 6d, making a total for two days of £39 17s 3d; as against £72 17s 6d on the previous year, or a decrease of £33.

The Competitions, which were very successful, totalled : sheaf tossing, £212s weight guessing, £7 2s 6d; chain stepping, £4 14s ; total, £14 8s 6d. Much credit is clue to those who had charge of the competitions.

The Dance , Social was a failure on account of the wet night, which prevented many people from patronising it.

Members' fees show a decrease on last year of £7, notwithstanding the fact that we have enrolled 23 new members.

Benefit—The "Star Pictures" benefit totalled the sum of £4 10s.

The General Balance Sheet — This shows an income of £70 9s lid from grazing, the expenditure amounting to £196 19s 4d. Of this amount £74 16s 6d accounts owing on the 1914 year have been raid, which is a very unfair charge to this year. The net expenditure on this year was £122 2s lOd. Against this we have assets (grazing outstanding) £27 15s 9d, and liabilities, £8 6s. Since the year has ended, I am pleased to report that a portion of the Show Ground (34 acres) has been sold to Mr Jas. McLeod, so that the interest will no longer be such a big liability to meet, every year. L. L. Bailey, Treasurer. SECRETARY'S REPORT The year has been a disappointing one for the Secretary, in that after having put in much time and labour for the Annual Show the event was a dismal failure, as tar as the Show was concerned, but what the Association lias lost through the wet day, the community have gained in a tenfold manner by getting the rain after such a long draught.

The Ladies' Committee worked well for the Industrial exhibits, and great praise is due to those who had charge of the tent.

The Executive and General meetings have been fairly well attended, but members of these committees must realise a bigger responsibility and buckup a bit, and show more interest in agricultural matters regarding the Association, if they wish to make tne Show a success. The Milk Test Competition took place on November 24, Mr R. Ferrall again proving the winner, thus winning the Tylden Speers Cup outright.

The judging arrangements proved satisfactory, most of the judges refusing to charge for their expenses.

The Special Stock Train from North proved a great success ; the exhibitors were well satisfied with the arrangment, although a large amount of trouble was experienced in getting the Department to'put on the special without a guarantee of £11 2s. This was done and the freights totalled £11, added to this were the exhibitors' fares, so the Association should have no difficulty in getting the same arrangement for next year,

The total entries for last Show were 1141, an increase of 91 on the previous year, as per catalogue.

The incoming committee will have an interesting year before them. There are many matters to consider in regard to the grounds, viz., levelling the present Show Ground ; removal and erection of cattle, horse, sheep and pig pens ; tree planting and beautifying the grounds; and the erection of seats on the hillside.

Roll of Honour—There are a number of our members who are now serving their country in this deplorable war I would suggest that the Association erect a " Roll of Honour," to be placed in the Public Library, with the names of those who have gone to the front.

The war will also Impede us in getting subs, for our prize list, owing to the many heavy calls the tradespeople have had.

In conclusion, I thank those members \yh,p have helped me in my duties, and frust they will give the incoming Secretary all the" help and advice necessary for him to garpy on the work of the Association with success, L. L. Bailey, Secretary,

ELECTION OF OFFICERS I Vice-Presidents.—Messrs W. J. Ellett Jas. Hand. Executive Committee. — Messrs D. Rennie, G. W. Sim, Arnold McLeod, E. Cucksey, N. W. Rimmer, J. C. Rimmer, Jas. McLeod, C. H. Spinley, J. A. Wilson, J. Mills, R. Nicholls, Jno. Nicholls, Jas. Newman, Geo. McDonald, A. J. Garry, M. Hafford, M. H. Sheffield. General Committee, — Messrs D. Rennie, Geo. McDonald, A. E. Robinson, Arnold McLeod, G. W. Sim, J. Mills W. L. Moyle, Geo. Bradly, H. Bradly, J' C. Rimmer, M. McArthur, ,N. W. Rimmer, C. A. Spinley,- Jas. McLeod, R. Nicholls, J. A. Wilson, Albert Hansen, E" Cucksey, Jno. Wilson, Jas. Newman, M. H. Sheffield, M. Hafford, J. Reynard, R. Ferrell jnr., P. Hansen, Logan McLeod, A. J. Garry, J. B. Jordan.

Auditors. —Messrs H. White jnr., and H. W. Stringer.

Secretary and Treasurer.—Mr L. L. Bailey. The election of the usual Ladies' Committee was held over.

Mr Jas. McLeod, the retiring President, in a few well-chosen words, welcomed Mr Aitkenhead to the chair, and hoped he would have a successful term of office.

The new President then thanked the Association forthehouour they had conferred upon him, and briefly pointed out the1 necessity of combined action in making their Shows a success; also of the large amount of work to be done in organising and planning the future success of the Association, and trusted that the whole of the members would loyally support him in his efforts to improve matters. Mr McLeod then thanked the members for their good support during his term of office. CONDOLENCE It was proposed by Mr McLeod seconded and adopted, the members standing—That the Assocition record with deep regrett the' loss; of Mr John O'Neill ofWaitakere, and that a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs O'Neill in her sad bereavement. THE WAR. Mr M. McArthur, another member of the Association, who is going to the front, was accorded the best wishes of the Society, God-speed and a safe return. Mr McArthur, who was present, was also thanked for the valuable services he had rendered the Association. It was also resolved that all members who had gone to the front should be kept financial. GENERAL. Seven' new members were elected. A strong committee was formed for the purpose of inspecting the grounds, and report to a full committee of management, with the object of planning and reconstructing pens, and making other improvements. It was also resolved to affiliate with the N.Z. Clydesdale Horse Society.

The usual vote of thanks all round terminated the meeting.