AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 512, 27 April 1880, Page 2

A GRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Tiie annual meeting of the Patoa District Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday, at the Carlyle Town Hall. The meeting did not commence business until a delay of nearly two hours after the advertised time, many members being detained at an importaivfeland sale in the town. After an informal commencement, with only seven members present, and an adjournment pro-forum till the 9th of May, a number of the members entered the Hall, and made an effort to reconstitute the meeting in regular form. This was eventually done, the previous members returning ; and the adjournment being rescinded by consent, the business of the annual meeting was proceeded with. Mr Owen Hawes, president, occupied .the chair, and there wore present: Messrs Gibson, Wilson, Chapman. Taplin, J. Hair, C. Syme, J. Morton. 11. B. Pearce, J. D. Powdrell, J. Dickie, W. Gower, D. Fleming, 11. C. Mcl’ao, E. M. Honeylield, A. Hunter, 0, Hawes, H. 8. Peacock, D, Scott, J. G. Ginger, A. Gower, 11. Harmcr, E. Morgan, d. Hawken, and Dr Croft.

CoMMITTEIds Rlil’OUT. The secretary, Mr Eyton, read the committee’s report as follows: Your committee, m reporting the result of the past year's transaction of the Society, desire to express their thanks to those gentlemen who have iu the face of the general depression existing during the year, supported them in their endeavors to keep matters on a sound financial footing, I’rior to this, it does not appear to have been customary to present a report, though exceedingly necessary, as a mode of informing flic members of the state of the affairs of the .Society, and of explaining figures on the balance sheet, &c.. which might .otherwise bo unintelligible. A set of books lias been opened, and the accounts posted from (he first start of (he Society to the present date, and thej* are open for inspection at all times by any member desiring information. You will note that the expenditure has been in excess of the receipts by a sum of J-42 Is ■ld, but out of this a sum of Jtilo (is (id has been expended on account of liabilities of previous years, and a further sum of £7 (is Sd iu the purchase of books for oillee use. which will not be required again for several years, so that the receipts and expenditure on account of the pa-d year’s transactions only as newly as possible balance. The result of the annual show, held on 2(itli November, IS7!), at Waverloy, was an unexpected success. These shows cannot be, nor are they intended to bo, selfsupporting. but it will lie seen by the accounts that lifter paying .list! 10s in prizes, T27 Kis (id was all that was required to he drawn from the capital account. The exhibits, prizes, and amount of entrance fees will compare favorably with other similar societies. Wc have a few suggestions to make to our successors in office. One is, (hat (hey should commence at once to canvas for subscribers for (he present year, by doing so, 11 icy will be better enabled to determine (lie amount, of funds at their disposal for the purpose of awarding prizes atthe next show. It is intended to open a Member's liegister Hook in which all members will be asked to sign (heir names, or where impracticable to do this they will lie required to sign a form of application signifying their intention to abide by the rules and regulations of the Society, iu terms of The Agricultural Societies Act, 1577. Hitherto it has not: been known who arc members, and this lack of information acts as a groat drawback in.estimating the resources of the Society. Ilespeetiug rides and regulations you will be asked at this meeting to adopt those laid down in the Act, and to pass others if deemed necessary. It will a( all events be requisite to pass a rule framing the amount of annual subscription. In resigning our offices, wo feel satisfied that it only rests with our successors to secure hearty co-operation, and that of Ihe public generally, to make the Society a still greater success than at present, Tuio Balance Sheet

showed the following statement of accounts : I’ IIO ITT AND Loss ACCOUNT showed !l total expenditure of £lO4 Is 4d, and receipts amounting to £62. leaving a debit balance of £42 Is 4d. Annual Show Account for November 2(>tli, '7ll :—Expenditure, £lOl 14s ; and receipts, £(!;> 17s (id, leaving a debit balance or loss on the show of £i>7 17s (id Last Year's Account showed total receipts, £lB6 Uis od ; disbnrsciuots, £l6l 18s lOd ; leaving a balance at bank and in cash of £24 14s 7d. The Treasurer's Account' showed expenditure, £8!) 2s Id : receipts, £O4 7s 0d ; and cash balance, £24 14s 7d. The balance sheet was adopted. Unclaimed Prizes. Mr Peacock said : Before moving the adoption ofbalance sheet,l would pointont that yon have omitted the names of persons to whom money is owing by the Association. My name for instance, is not mentioned, although money is owing to mo for prizes. Some two years' awards or prizes are duo to urn, which I have not yet received ; bnt in the balance sheet my name does not, appear. • The Association should bear in mind that they owe me prizes. The Secretary explained that the balance sheet did not show the liabilities for previous years, bnt only the transactions of the past year. The Chairman :—How long has that money been dne to yon? Mr Peacock :—For the first year 1 took medals; bnt in the two following years I left the matter in abeyance. Mr Gibson, treasurer, said:—When the present committee took office, we found ourselves in a position that we did not know onr liabilities. The books had not been properly kept, and a notice was inserted in the newspaper calling for claims to bo sent to the committee, so that the committee might understand 1 • , , , v? their position, and discharge their liabilities. In all cases where claims have been sent in, they have been promptly met. Mr Peacock, and I think Mr Hawkcn also, have mentioned claims; bnt the committee have had nothing before them to show what their claims consist of. The accounts have not been so kept that we can refer to find out what our liabilities are in respect of the past years. Mr Peacock is a member of the committee, and is aware of onr position in that respect; and it would be only fair for him to send that claim in so that it could be met. These old claims might go on for years without being met.

The Chairman :—That is why Tasked Mr Peacock the question, how long his claim had been dne.

Mr Peacock :—I appeal to members of the committee if I have not at all timcs'advocatcd my claim, and they have acknowledged them when I have been present, and were going to meet it. They have not yet done it. As to a notice appearing in tiie paper, I did not see it; and I have not anv know-

ledge of any resolution passed by the committee on this subject when I was not present. The Chairman Send your claim to the committee. Mr Peacock:—What I have gained and have justly earned is a thing I ask for. If the Association choose to oust me out of my claim, the meeting has it it iu its own hands. Mr Gibson :—I wish to take exception to the remark about repudiating any claims, or endeavouring to oust him out of any claims. What I say is that the present committee are not iu a position to know the amount of claims for previous years, and it would be only fair for a claim to bo given to us iu pounds, shillings, and ponce, so that we could meet it.

The Secretary :—This balance sheet merely shows the receipts and disbursements during the past year. It is not too late for Mr Peacock to send in his claim now. The Chairman ; —Wc do not wish Mr Peacock to be deprived of any money duo to him. I may noint out that his claim lias nothing to do with the present balance sheet, Mr Peacock : —lf this meeting thinks I have no claim, I will abide by that opinion. My claim is not in the balance sheet, and it ought to be. The Chairman—Vonr best course is to send in a claim to the committee.

Mr Peacock—l am quite willing to abide by the ruling of this moethig. Mr Gibson—lf our books hud been kept correctly in past years, and stewards at the shows had sent in their lists correctly, we should be able to make out from the books who had taken prizes, and to what amount. Knowing we had not information, we advertised for claims to bo sent in, so that we might satisfy every proper claim. Mr Peacock should know, as a member of the committee, tliat we were not in a position to enter the amount of his claim to his credit because we bad no information. Mr Peacock—l think my name ought to appear as having a claim. I cannot state the exact amount now. My name ought to bo entered, with a blank for the amount, Mr Chapman then moved, and Mr Gower seconded, tiio adoption of the balance-sheet. Mr Peacock—l propose as an amendment, that outstanding claims be also added. The Chairman—Better send yonr claims to the committee. Mr Peacock—But if tha balancesheet as read is passed, I have no farther claim. Mr Gibson—Yon are wrong there. The Secretary—lf yonr claim comes in this year, it will be charged on the liabilities of previous years. Mr limiter—l know for a fact that Mr Peacock lodged his claim with the committee on several occasions. He wished to got plate instead of prize money. A resolution was passed at a previous meeting which I consider applies to all claims that have not been sent in. A Member—Was a balance-sheet submitted last year ?

Mr Gibson—Theie was no proper balance-sheet, because we could not get the accounts audited last year. Mr Hawken—ls there any record of the awards given in previous years ? A Member—Yes, the old newspaper. (Laughter.) Mr Peacock—l will withdraw my amendment, Mr Syme—l don’t think it is required, because all present understand your case. The resolution wa« then adopted, RECORD OF NAMES, Mr Gibson—As wo are now starting under the Agricultural Socities Act, I propose that we commence by signing the register book. We shall never have a better opportunity of getting so many together. It is necessary that every member’s name should appear in the books, so that we may have a guide as to the amount of subscription the society would be entitled to receive for the year, and the committee could arrange its expenses accordingly, Mr Wilson seconded the motion, which was adopted, and the members present signed tiic register book. I,AXD RESERVE. Mr Hon ay field—Did yon ever apply for the Crown grant for the section of laud belonging to the Society ? The Secretary said application was made on the 16th March, for two sections of land, Nos, 500 and 006, which were reserved to this association. Did not receive any reply to that till the 15th instant, when Mr Winchcomb wrote saying he could not find these numbered sections in Kaka ramea. Replied to that explaining that they are suburban sections ; and since that nothing further lias passed. The matter remains in Mr Winchcomb’s hands. The Chairman—lt will be all right, I suppose. Mr Hawken—Does that refer to the present ground the society holds, or to some other ? The Secretary—Yes, the ground was reserved to the society in 1874-, and there are 10 acres. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr Morton, of Waverley, was proposed by Mr Gibson as president for the ensuing year ; and Mr Dickie seconded. Mr Morton declined the honor, his time being too much occupied. Mr Chapman was then proposed by Mr Pearce, and seconded by Mr Gibson. Mr Chapman thanked the movers for the compliment, bnt said he was only a young member, although be would endeavour to promote the interests of the society if the meeting desired him to become president. The meeting then unanimously elected Mr Chapman, Mr Wilson was elected vice-president. Mr Gibson was re-elected treasurer with applause. Mr J. Black and Mr Cowern were elected auditors, COMMITTEE. The following 20 mcmbeis were elected a committee of management;— Messrs John Hair, C. Syme, J. Morton, R. B. Pearce, ,H. G, Moreeroft, J, D, Pow-

droll, J. Dickie, W. Gower, D. Fleming, j R. E. Mcßae, H. Williamson, E. M. Hnneyfield, A. Aiken, A. Hunter, W. Robertson, 1), Peat, 0. Hawes, H, 8. Peacock, K. Hearn, and 1). Contts. sunscairnox. Mr Gibson moved that the annual subscription be £}. He said it was necessary, as a matter of form, to make this one of the rules of the Assoeia!ii>!t. —Tliis was agreed to. it.ach Foil next show. —a uvki.v DISCUSSION. Air Wilson said—l think we should now decide the place where the next show is to he held. Is it to be decided by the meeting, or by the committee ? The Chairman—lt was decided by the committee last year. Mr Gibson—l think this is a proper lime for considering the subject. Mr Dickie—l beg to move that the committee be empowered to select a situ for the next annual show. We get no support from the other end of the district at all. Kakaramea seems to be at one end. I bog to propose that the next annual show ho at Patea, uml that the committee bo empowered to select a site.

Mr Wilson—l bog to propose, as an amendment, that the show bo held at Kakaramea, Mr Dickie has said that the Association gets no support from the other end of the county. I think, under the circumstances, that the land granted to the Association for use ns an agricultural show ought to be utilised, and as it was understood the show was to alternate between Kakaramea, Hawera, and Waveiley, I think the Association would make a mistake if they waived their annual show at Kakaramea.

T1 io Chairman —The land was granted for an endowment for the society rather than for a permanent show-ground. 1 am quite of opinion that wo should got a better show here. We might lease that paddock for quite as much as we should be required to pay for a showground here. Mr Gower—ln holding tho show at Kakaramea we have no convenience whatever. If we have a bad or wet day there is no accommodation for visitors at Kakaramea, whereas, if wo held the show at Patea, there is plenty of accommodation for man and beast. I think Patea is also a centra] position. Mr Pearce—l. propose that those gentlemen who want to move the show should find wheels to move it about. Mr Gower—When the show is at Kakarnima we got no support from Waverloy, nor from Hawera when the show is held at Waverloy. It should be at Putea, as being as central as possible.

A Member—Would Mr Gower make it a fixed show at Patea every year ? If so, 1 should second that. Mr Gower—Certainly; and if the Society made it permanent in Patea, and obtained land for a show-ground, we could get a good rent for tho site.

Mr Hunter—l wish to ask those gentlemen who are so anxious to shift the show about, what prospect they have of getting a suitable paddock to hold the show here ? As far as I know at present, it is the intention of the people here to put the show in the swamp outside the Sandhills—a most awkward place to get at, and also to get cattle to. The ground at Kakaramea is in a beautiful position, and in a year or two we shall have the railway station about twenty chains from the show-ground. And as for accommodation, I have no doubt the time is not far away when we shall have quite as much accommodation at Kakaramea as at Carlyle.

The Chairman—My experience of accommodation there is very unfavorable.

Mr Hunter —It is a well known fact that we have lost many members already through the show being moved about; and if we are now to have a show at all, let ns have it in a permanent place.

Mr Gower—l should like to have it made permanent if shifted here. Mr Hunter—Do you think it would be lor tbe benefit of the society to shift the show here ? Mr Gower—l do. Mr Hunter—Well, I don’t.

Mr Gibson—ln speaking to the resolution, one remark made by the mover of the amendment is one of the strongest arguments that could be got in favor of having a permanent show in the vicinity of this town, and that is the remark made by Mr Wilson, that farther away from support, the worse for the show. Now, I consider that two-thirds of the support given to the agricultural show of this county is from the vicinity of Carlyle, from the Wlumnaknra Block, and from the Waverley district, and the farther we take the show from that support the worse it is for us. By going to Kakaramea, we arc certainly taking it from the support which the show does receive from that end of the county Every mile we take it away from this town northward, we are taking it away from the support which it receives. I think, also, that the show-ground should be permanent, in tbe vicinity' of tin's town. The next remark was that the balance-sheet did not come out so well when the show had been held at Waverley as it hud at Kakaramea. Now, there is no one more able to speak of that than myself, and I feel convinced that if the balance-sheet had been brought out each year properly, and if all liabilities had been paid each year, they would find that the balance-sheet came out better when the show’ was held at Waverley than at any other time, except perhaps the first time that the show was held at Kakaramea. On the first occasion we had a bonus of £4O, whereas, when it was held at Waverley, there was no bonus. If we. had had £4O last year, wo should have shown a balance of £6O to the good, and we should have been able to give £4O more in prizes. There is also the horse parade. It has been the custom of the Association to call a parade of entires, so that persons requiring the services of these horses can see names and select. Where lias that parade been held ? Not at Kakaramea, for the reason that it would be out of the wav. It lias bean held in the vicinity of

this town, and we have been put to considerable expense for advertising, &c. We have not boon recouped a single penny for that, and it is money taken from the show; whereas if we had the show here, a small charge could be made for the entires on the ground, which would recoup the expense. If the show were held at Kaknramoa, the bulk of visitors are townspeople, and they have, to pay trap-hire to Kakaramea besides the gate-money and other expenses during their visit ; whereas if the show were in the vicinity of this town, we should be able to double the price of admission, and tlie sale of privileges would be four times the amount it is at present. If we bad the show this present year at Kakaramea, the yards are all rotten, and perfectly useless. We should have to do all onr work there over again, at groat expense, Mr Pearce—Where are the posts that were there ? Mr Gibson—The yards were not in my charge, Mr Pei tree—They wore right enough for another show, bnt they were walked oft*. ' Mr Gibson—Mr Pearce knows the history of the posts. Mr Pearce—We all know what it is, I think Kakaramea is more suitable for the show, and more convenient; and I think in the course of a little time—as yon say Patea is going to be as big as Wanganui—if we go into this expense of fitting up a permanent show ground at Patou, we shall soon have to abandon that site and get out of the growing town, so that all the expense would have been thrown away.

Mr Gibson—i do not consider the question of the posts a proper one at present. If the show is held at Kakarainea this year, the yards will require a thorough overhauling; and the same expense would put the same accommodation within the vicinity of this town ; and that is an argument showing that the expense of yards was scarcely worth raising. As to the site at Pa tea being very unsuitable, I think the whole of the cattle that go down to Wanganui and Wellington are driven through this town. And as regards the evil effect it would have on visitors to show them tho sandhills and swamps around this place, [ think it would enhance the value of the laud after visitors had been here, for when they saw the prime condition of the land they would be better pleased with it. The remark about losing members by shifting is another argument which is most decidedly in favor of the proposal that wo should have a permanent place for our show, and that place should be near the port. Mr Hunter—There is another matter, and that is an inclination on the part of tho Wavorley people to break up the show altogether. At one of our committee meetings one member made a statement that his leaning was more towards Wanganui than towards Patea. It seems to me as if it was a move on the pari of the Waverloy people to break up the show altogether. Mr Dickie—lf you bring the show hero, perhaps the people of Warerley would not ho so inclined to go to Wanganui. It is for the benefit of the show that I want to shift it io Patea, because we got no support from the other end. Mr Dickie : I will modify my resolution thus—“ That the present committi e be empowered to select a site in the vicinity of (he town of Patea, as a permanent site for the society’s show, Air Fleming: I second that, Air Gower: There is one question. In case the show bo held at Kakaramea, would the Government guarantee to give us the bonus of £4O.

Mr Pearce: No, you have got the land, and can’t get the money also. The Secretary—That bonus was given under the provincial government, and has all lapsed. The amendment, in favor of the show being held at Kakaramea, was then put to the vote. The Chairman : That amendment is lost. Mr Pearce; The show will soon be lost. The resolution, in favor of Palea as a permanent location for the show, was put and carried by a large majority. Protest against Imrortino Cattle. Mr Morton proposed that a memorial be forwarded to the Government to stop the export of cattle from Auckland district, and to slop all importation of cattle from Australia, with a view to prevent the spread of plenro-pnenmoma in the colony. Several members rose to second tin's. It was adopted unanimously, without discussion. Local Industries. A circular from the Commissioner of Local Industries was read, inviting suggestions from the society as to industries hi or suitable for this district. The Chairman said the circular should have been replied to at an earlier date, if at all. Mr Gibson : I should feel inclined to propose that all the Boyal Commissions lie on the table (laughter.) THANKS. Votes of thanks were accorded to the president, vice-president, treasurer, and committee for their services during the past year; also to the secretary, Mr Eyton, “for the able perfoimance of his duties.” This closed tbe business. The new committee will have to meet at an early date to select a site for a permanent show near Carlyle.