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Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 27 June 1918, Page 3

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. meeting of the A- and P- Association Monday, June 24th; Agricultural Hall, and about thirty members HP The minutes of the previous Kjgeneral meeting were read and rytionfirmed. The annual balance sheet was read and adopted. I The Secretary and Treasurer's anntfal report was received. SECRETARY'S REPORT. The year on the whole has been a good one for the Association, notwithstanding the fact that this fearful war is still raging and. members are continually being called up for active service, thus depleting our Committee and staff for Show Day. This is evidenced by the fact that'in most of the cattle classes, particularly dairy .stock, the entries showed a large decrease. The resolution tabled at the annual meeting last year re raising of members' subscriptions from 10s to_ one guinea and life members from £5 to £10 was not carried; the extraordinary general meeting called for that purpose lapsed for want of a quorum. Roll of Honour —Members now on service are: Captain Coates, Messrs Cedric McLeod, Arnold McLeod, E. Garry, G. E. Murphy, J. Reynard, Geo. McDonald, Jas. McAdam, M. Adlington, R. Hunter, P. Williams, and L. Downer. The General Committee have held, four meetings, the Executive 14, the Grounds Committee two. and the Ladies one. The attendance at these meetings has been fair, and could be largely improved on. Membership.—l am pleased to report that 15 new members have joined the Association this year, and have given us considerable assistance. The Committee would urge upon its members the necessity of introducing more members into the Association, as by this means we can better spread agricultural interests in this district. The Show was a brilliant success both financially and in quality, with the exception of some of the stock classes in which the entries had decreased. Train Airangements.—As far as the passenger traffic was concerned proved satisfactory, but it was regretted that the Railway Department could not run a special stock train from the North on Show Day. The Most Points Cup, presented by H. Aitkenhead Esq., for most points in stock classes, was again won by Ti Kokopu Estate thus winning it out right. The manager, Mr F. W. Strange, is tc be congratulated on securing this trophy. The total number of entries was 1377 or about 100 less than last year. Taking into consider" ation the unfavourable and inconvenient circumstances under which the farmer is now working these entries may be considered gratifying. Draft Stock —24 entries, all local. Although the stock was good there is great room for improvement. Harness Horses —Medium ; 20 entries. Blood Stock. —Light harness roadsters and saddle horses ; 225 entries. These classes were well represented and included some fine exhibits, more particularly in the hack classes, being the largest number we have yet had. Competitions —There was a fair muster for the riding competitions. The stock-whip competition was well patronised and made an interesting and valuable addition to these events. This class should be got off earlier in the day. Cattle Classes. — Shorthorns, 25 entries ; decrease of 39. Ayrshires, 7 entries; decrease 2, Freesians, 44 entries; decrease 14 ; this class showed some very fine cattle. lam very pleased tc report that Mr G. W. Sim has has again won the Freesian Associations gold medal for mosi points in this class. Polled Angus, 8 entries, same numbei as last year. tflf Dairy Stock—Milk Test Com--^petition, 17 entries ; decrease 11 This competition was won by Mi Percy McLeod with " Dessert Gold." Dairy Cattle.—The entries foi ■ these classes showed a grea falling off, probably due to the fact of shortage of labour, as w< know that the dairy stock in Jthii district can compare very fay ourably with any other of th< same area. Fat Cattle.—Most of the entriei in these classes were not up t< the average, the beasts wen small and not in good shov condition. Store Calves, hand-ted ; I ■ entries. These were a fine ex hibit, and well worthy of com

mendation. Sheep —92 entries ; decrease of 50. The Romney and fat sheep were the only classes that showed any competition, and were a fine lot. Pet Lambs—Nine entries. This class is gradually increasing, and while giving the young folks a little competition with their pets proves a very remunerative one to the winner. Pigs. — Nine entries. This section as usual lacks competition. Dairy Produce.—Thirteen entries ; decrease 5. Field and Garden Produce —■ Fifty-eight entries ; decrease 15. Fruit.—Forty-eight entries ; increase 17. This section showed some good fruit, especially nectarines. Horticultural.—9B entries ; increase 31. The display in this section was the best we have ever had. Mr Raisher, who had charge of this section, is to be congratulated on the way he carried out the arrangements of laying out the exhibits. Messrs D. Hay and Sons and Messrs Bennet and McDonald Co. also had fine exhibits of pot plants which greatly added to the artistic appearance of the Hall. Preserves. —67 entries ; increase 2. Bread and Cakes—23s entries, same number as last year. Wood Carving and Painting.— 21 entries; same number as last year. Needlework. —Increase 25 entries. This section included some of the best exhibits ever shown at Helensville. School Work. —The work in this section was good, but would be more gratifying to the Association if more schools would compete. Regarding the special prizes donated by the Board of Education it is to be regretted that so few entries were received, particularly the. Milk Testing competition which should be interesting and instructive to the lads. Improvements.—Additional improvements have been made to the Hall by the erection of a chimney, fire-place, and two copper boilers, which proved a great convenience to the caterer on Show Bay. The concreting of the ground floor has also befen carried out and has proved very beneficial. Drainage work on the grounds has also been done ; two tile drains from the pens to the outlet have been put down and have proved very effective.

The thanks of the Association are dueto the President for the energetic and conscientious way he has carried out his duties as President of the Association.

In conclusion, I tender my sincere thanks to the members for the confidence they have placed in me, and trust that the incoming secretary may receive the same consideration that has been given to me.

TREASURER'S REPORT,

The balance sheet shows for the year an increase in the overdraft of £104 6s 6d, added, to this £100 has been received from mortgage, making! a total of £204 6s 9d. This amount is accounted for by:—lmprovents to Hall, £140; improvements to grounds, £9; law costs on sale of land, £6 Is ; cash in hand 31-6-18, £43 Is 3d ; total, £204 2s 2d; leaving an actual dr. balance of 4s 7d after providing for improvements. The Show balance sheet shows a dr. bal. of £7 5s lOd, which taking into consideration the large amount of expenses that have been charged to the Show, and not altogether provided for, may be considered very gratifying to the Committee, and from a financial aspect is the best show we have had for years. The entry fees totalled £107 lls ; decrease £2 18s. , ' Members' fees £62, increase of £5 15s. Trophies £48, decrease 16s. Cash donations £105 4s, increased £23 7s 6d. Under the present circumstances and considering the many calls for war and patriotic purposes the increase is intensely gratifying. Gate moneys £67 19s 7d, decrease £27 lls lOd. Competitions £12 lls, increase £1 9s. Advertising and Sale of Catalogues—Arrangements werejmade with the printer for the Association to secure ads. for the catalogue, this resulting in a net profit over the cost of printing • —ads. £6 10s; catalogues sold £4 3s lOd ; making £10 9s lOd. / On the expenses side we have j prize money £213 16s 3d, which lis £28 14s 3d less than last year. Other expenses are , much on a par with last year, with the exception of the last two items— | petty cash (part) £10, secretary's salary (part) £40, jlf the principle had beenlcarried out as in previous years, this Show would have shown a profit of £42 16s 2d. i The revenue being derived from the Hall is: Defence Department £26 par annum ; land on base I£6 per annum ; interest, £55 j

grazing rights, £49 ; rent of loose box, £2 10s. Total £138 10s. Amount due to the Association for rents, etc., as at 31st March, £39 2s. PRESENTATION. The President, Mr W. J. Ellett, in a few well chosen remarks, presented the Most Points Cup (given by H. Aitkenhead Esq.) to Mr P. W. Strange. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. Patrons.- J. Gordon Coates, Esq., MP, and A. E. Harding Esq. President—Mr N. W. Rimmer. Past Presidents —Messrs C. H. Spinley, J, A. Wilson, Jas, McLeod, H. Aitkenhead, and W. J. Ellett. Vice-Presidents —Messrs J. C. Rimmer and A. J. Hill. Executive Committee—Messrs W. W. L. Bradly, J. Carter, H, Graham, M. Hafford, J. Mills, J. Newman, W. F. F. Raisher, G. W. Sim. J, Simcock, N. Wallace, F. W. Strange, R. Barnes, J. Grey, Percy McLeod, and W. Rennie. General Committee-^-Messrs A. Mason, B. McCarthy, M. H. Sheffield, V. Aitkenhead, Geo. Bradly, H. Bradly, C. Downer, A. J. Garry, A, Hanson, J. B. Jordan, J. P. Kelly, Logan McLeod, E. Day, Bert Bradly, and officers and members of the Executive Committee. Auditors —Messrs H. White junr., and F. R. Earnes. Secretary and Treasurer —Mr L. L. Bailey (re-elected). A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers. GENERAL The matter of a District Higch School, with agricultural instrution, was brought up, and it was decided that a committee, consisting.of Messrs N. W. Rimmer, J. Grey, and J. •C. Rimmer, be appointed, to protest to the Education Board against the treatment re the non-establishment of a District High School, and to confer with the local School Committee to bring the matter before Member for the district and the Council of Education. Mr Jas. Hand presented the Association with a Cup, valued at £5 ss, to be competed for eat next Show, The Show day was fixed for January 29th, 1919. The Executive Committee has power to cancel or alter if necessary.