HELENSVILLE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 August 1916, Page 2

HELENSVILLE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

THERE was a good attendance at the , annual general meeting, which took place in the Agricultural Hall on Monday evening last, 14th inst. The weather was anything but favourable, which no doubt prevented numbers who were living at a distance from putting in an appearance. Mr H. Aitkenhead presided, and before commencing the business of the evening read a motion of sympathy fcr our brave boys who are fighting at the front. This was duly acknowledged by all present standing out of respect for the absent soldiers.

The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed without any comment.

The balance sheet for the year was read by the Secretary (Mr L, L. Bailey), which showed a debit balance of £16 6s lOd. This was also confirmed without comment. TREASURER'S REPORT. The Chairmann and Members of the Association— The balance sheet shows for the year an increase in the Bank overdraft from £1168 11s 9d to £1957 5s 4d, representing a sum of £778 13s 7d. The Show balance shows a Dr. balance of £16 6s lOd; against this we have assets £28 3s which if realised will leave a Cr. balance of £11 6s 2d.

The entry fees totalled £91 4s Bd, showing an increase of £10 7s 2d.

The gate moneys realised £66 8s 3d, and with a fine day could have been bigger.

The members' fees totalled £53 10, showing an increase of £14 10s.

The cash donations totalled £72 13s, an increase of £20 Is.

Taking into consideration the many calls that the public are getting, this may be regarded as a huge increase.

The total receipts for ! the weightguessing and chain stepping competitions was £8 16s. This matter could be improved by a more systematic organisation.

The ground space receipts show an increase of £2,155.

On the Dr. side we have prize money £225 Is 6d, deducting the cash donations from this leaves us £62 7s lOd, which is a huge amount to find, equivalent to 1,200 people at Is each.

The luncheon shows an expenditure of £7 10s; on account of the heavy loss Mr Sinclair sustained on the previous Show, we could not get anything for the privilege. This with other items, Band £8 15s, refreshments and accommodation for judges £4 19s, and judges' travelling expenses, we will have to try to considerably reduce this year.

General A/C Income—Grazing income totals £94 7s Bd. Donation Farmers' Union, £50, towards cost of pens ; sale of old timber, £17 11s ; making a total of £67 11s, which considerably lessens the cost of the yards.

Interest £45 6s 6d, helps to meet the Bank interest.

The total cost of the Hall was £691 16s lOd, and the Association can congratulate themselves on being in the position to erect such a fine structure at so low a cost.

The revenue being derived from the Hall is : —Defence Department, £26 per year; Osborne and Co., £12 per year ; Helensville Band, £4 10s ; lease of 3acres of land, £6; making a total of £48 10s per year, equivalent to interest on £800 at 6%.

The grounds a/c show a total cost of £227 12s 7d, and towards this we have the donation of £50 and sale of timber £17 11s, making the actual cost to the Association £160 Is 7d.

The Farmers' Union have the use of the cattle pens as an overflow from their own yards on sale days only, and have agreed to keep same in reasonable repair.

L. L. Bailey, Treasurer.

SECRETARYS' REPORT.

The year has been a record one for the Association.

The Show was in every way a brilliant success, but for the rain which unfortunately happened on Show morning, thereby depleting our gate money to a great extent, thus leaving a small Dr. balance as shown in the Treasurer's Report.

The Ladies' Committee worked diligently for the industrial and hall exhibits, and great credit is due to those who worked with untiring energy, and the tastefulness in laying out the exhibits as evidenced at the Show.

The Committee Meetings.—The Executive Commiitee has held nine meetings; the General Committe 11 meetings ; the Ground Committee five meetings, beside other meetings called on the ground. These have been well attended, manifesting an encouraging sign for the future of the Association.

A large amount of important business has been carried on, and detailed under their separate headings, every member working in harmony for the one object we have in view—that. of the advancement of agricultural interests and progress in the North.

The Milk Test Competition.—This competition took place on November 23 and 24. The tests were taken from two milkings, and there were 22 entries, The results were : H. E. Cole's Lively, 3 ; R. Nicholl's Glen, 2; E. H. Cucksey's Queen of the North, 3. This competition is an important one, and should attract the attention of every dairy farmer, and there is no reason why we should not double our entries for next year.

Every farmer should have a rigid test of his cows periodically to ensure that the best is being obtained from his herd.

The Association's thanks are due to Mr A. J. Garry for carrying out the testing, and to the stewards for conducting the .competition.

The judging arrangements proved satisfactory as far as the competitors were concerned, but improvements can be made in the light horse judging so as to make it more attractive for the public. Special Stock Train from North. —This train was run again this year with success, and if all competitors who had arranged for trucks by this train had sent their exhibits, it would have far exceeded last year's returns. Already we have promises from exhibitors of extra and better stock than was shown last year. The Entries.—The total entries for all classes, excluding school work, were 1314.

Draught Stock, 22 entries. The competition this year could be greatly improved on. In a district like this we should be able to put up a better entry than shown. There are plenty of good horses, and the prize money compares very favourably with other Shows of the same size.

Special Classes—Harness horses and hunters. These classes maintained a fair average on the previous Show, and would have been much better but for this deplorable war which is taking so many of the younger exhibitors to the front.

Riding Competitions.—On the whole was a very poor show, and if not greatly improved next year the Committee will have to consider the advisability of cutting these classes out, as the entry fees come a long way short of the prize money. Cattle Section.—Shorthorns : The competition in this section established a record, the total entries being 40, against 18 the previous year, or an increase of 22 entries, and the cattle were fit to adorn any Show ring. Ayrshires : These showed a slight increase on the previous year's entries. Holsteins: Showed'an increase of 16 entries. Jerseys: Increase of 22 entries 1915, 16 entries 1916—38. Fat stock and stores : Increase, 8.

Sheep.—l9ls, 76 ; 1916, 113 ; increase, 37. The entries for the cattle and sheep classes were highly gratifying to the Committee, and with a proportionate increase, 1917 Show should be second to none outside of Auckland.

Dairy Produce.—The entries for this class exceeded 1915 Show by 18 entries.

Field and Garden Produce—l9ls, 55 ; 1916, 77; increase, 27.

Fruit.—l9ls, .36 ; 1916, 32 ; decrease, 4. Horticultural.—l9ls, 54; 1916, 63 ; increase, 9.

Preserves—l9ls, 74 ; 1916, 78 ; increase, 4,

Bread and Cakes—l9ls, 232; 1916, 249 i increase, 17. ' • . v Wood Carving and Painting—l9ls, 9 ; 1916, 21 ; increase, 12.

Needlework—l9ls, 180 ; 1916, 161; decrease, 19.

Kegarding the Hall exhibits, much may be said by way of improvement. The total increase is 87, and with such a spacious hall as we- have got, we should use every effort to. make these inside exhibits as attractive as possible. Although the field and garden produce, showed an increase of 18 entries, this is a section that needs improvement, especially in the fruit classes, which on account of the bad season made a very poor show. The bread and cakes offered a fine and attractive display, especially the pound cakes of which there were some 25 entries. The school work wag exceptionally good, and reflects great credit on the exhibitors. Two judges were appointed for this work, and the judging was very keen, the judges expressing great praise for the excellent work produced.

Library Fund—Mr R. Nicholls has made a donation of £1 Is as the nucleus of a library fund; for that we may have stud herd books for reference.

Membership—l am pleased to report that 37 new members have joined us this year, the Committee would urge upon all members the necessity of getting more and more members. By this means we can spread the interests of the Association and so strengthen our funds.

Roll of Honour—lt is with deep regret that (since the war started) I have to report that life member M. McArthur, Lloyd Russell, and H. Downer have given their lives for King and Country in this lamentable war. The Committee take this opportunity to extend to the relatives their deepest sympathy on the loss of such willing and useful members. There are also at present serving at the front members G. H. Nicholls, C. McLeod, J. Ferrell, 'J. Berger (wounded), E Garry, Capt. White, Dr. Phippen ; others waiting to go are G. Murphy, J. Reynard, H. B. Ferrell, and Capt. Coates; returned, W. A. Drinnan.

Improvements to Grounds—Little need be said on this matter. The improvements in the way of horse, cattle, and sheep pens manifested itself at the last Show in setting out the exhibits in a concentrated manner, which made it easier work for judges and, stewards, at the same time showing off the animals to the best advantage.

The Hall—The spacious building has filled a long needed want,, and will in time prove a valuable asset to the Association and district. The Committee has done a good work in establishing this place for the future wants of the Association, and in the coming years let us try to improve on the last Show by doubling our exhibits, and thereby creating a greater interest in agricultural matters generally.

Seats—The Committee take this opportunity of thanking Mr Jas. McLeod for the gift of a number of seats for the grounds and Hall, these being much appreciated last Show day.

The thanks of the Association are due to the President for the progressive work the untiring energy, and the weeks of solid graft he has put in to bring about these improvements, which mark an epoch in the history of the Association, has laid down a foundation for a

better and a more successful future of the Association.

In conclusion, I gratefully thank those members who have helped and advised me in carrying out my many and varied duties, and trust they will give the incoming Sercetary all the help and assistance necessary to carry on the work of the Association with success.

L. L. Bailey, Secretary.

The Chairman remarked that the report and balance sheet were very creditable indeed.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. - The following officers were reelected for the ensuing year : —

Patrons : J. Gordon 0 Coates, Esq., M.P., and A. E- Harding, Esq.; President: H. Aitkenhead, Es.q ; Vice - Presidents : W. J. Ellett, Esq., and Jas. Hand, Esq.

GRAZING RIGHTS. , ';, After some discussion on;tti '■> leasing of the Show grounder **•* grazing purposes, it was finally decided, on the motion of Mr Jas. McLeod, seconded by Mr H. Bradly—That the matter be left in the hands of the Executive Committee. —Carried.

GENERAL. It was agreed that the forthcoming Show be held on January 29th., as usual.

A letter was received from Mr Cole, re first prize in the cowtesting competition last Show, and that he had not yet received his prize.

Mr Jas. McLeod said that as it was stated in the rules that all cows in this class had to be exhibited on the grounds, and that as Mr Cole did not exhibit his cow, he was therefore: disqualified. This was all the business. The report of the general and executive committee meetings is held over till next issue, owing to, want of space.