FRANKLIN A. & P. SOCIETY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 178, 13 March 1914, Page 1

FRANKLIN A. & P. SOCIETY

Meeting of Committee A meeting of the executive committee of tbe Franklin A. and P. Society was held on lueeday evening; present Messrs J. Wjlie (president, in the chair), D. R. Hamilton, F. Ballard, J. Potter, C. K. Lawiie, S. Shiphe.d, J. Koulston, J. Schlaepfer, E. G. Phillipps, A. B. Barter, J. K. Hamilton and J. G. Rutherford. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. On the motion of the president a vote of sympathy was passed and ordered to be conveyed to the widow and family of (he late Mr P. J. McGoverr. In proposing tne resolution the president said that Mr Mdiovern had been long and intimately associated with the Pukekohe district and the services of the deceased gentleman would be hard to replace. The motion was carried in silence, the members standing. ACCOUNTS. Accounts in connectiou with the recent show and for tbe Society's indebtedness to date were passed for payment. It was decided to send St. John's Ambulance Association a cheque for £2 2s. Their account was for 26-, but the extra money was s c nt in appreciation cf the willing cervices rendered. The meeting passed several votes of appreciation and some money votes in acknowledgment of good services rendered. SECRETARY'S REPORT.

The secretary's rough report showed that the receipts of the late show amounted to £1077 7a Gri, expenditure £lO7l lis 4d, leaving at present a profit of about £7, which would be increased with the reductions to be trade from the prize money payable. The secretary said he reckoned they could still count on £BO to £IOO to be collected from members' subscriptions. A formal motion was passed that the prize money he paid. The president and vice-presidents were appointed a sub-committte to check the prize money with the secretary. SHOWGROUND DRAINAGE. The president reported that the contractor had made a very good job indeed of the drainage. What was regarded as a swamp had dried up wonderfully ana' now one could ride a horse about it anywhere. Fillings had been done and the outlets were very satisfactory. He did not think there was anything to fear about the proper drainage of the ground. Messrs Wylie, D. R. Hamilton and J. Potter wera re-elected to complete the work of ploughing, grassing, etc. The work that this subcommittee had done was heartily approved. The work of the ptesident was cordially commented upon. "I have seen Mr Wylie there oftener than I would have been if it had been my own contract," said Mr Roulston. A WELCOME MEMBERSHIP. Mr Phillipps said that the day before the show Mr R. F. Bollard, M.P. tor Raglan, came to Pukekohe and gave a donation of £2 2s, in addition tu helping on the grounds. He had taken the responsibility of issuing members' tickets to Mr Bollard.—Action approved. A COMPETITION TIE. The bachelors of Pukekohe gave a cup (£5) for the best lady rider the s.cond prize being £l. But two ladies tied for first place. Mr D. R. Hamilton said that £1 had been offered and if the other £3 could be raised they might buy another cup. The president said his idea was to return the cup and add £l, getting ii return two trophies—one for each of the ladies. This suggestion was approved and the matter was left with a subcommittee to fix up. NEW MEMBEKS. "It's a pleasure to propose new members," said the president, who futthwith nominated seven, who were elected. Mr D. R. Hamilton thought that they should push on with the "thousand members' id'a, If they were going to keep up with other shows they must either get more members or raise the members' subscription?.

Mr Lawrie thought tha sub. fhould be £1 Is, each member to be supplied with luncheon tickets. THE .NEW SHOWGROUNDS. There wss soma discussion about the laying out of the new showgrounds. It was agieed that the site of the rirg, the pens, etc, bhoukl be fixed iirst and that shelter trees should be got in this winter. Mr RoulHton moved, That the committee keep in view the necessity for planting proper shelter trees this year. Seconded by Mr Ballard and carried.

DRILL HALL. Mr D. R. Hamilton said that a drill hell was to bi built in Pukekohe, to cost about £6OO, un about an acre of ground. In Invercargill th 3 drill hall had b en tuilt on the j Bhowgroucd and he thought it wculd I te worth giving the ground on the I showground if the Society had the | use of the hall for the intfustria i sections. The Department, would then have use of the snowgiounds for drilling purposes.

Mr Wylie said that the matter had besn put before the Prime Minister, who thought the idea was a good one. Mr Hamilton said that the military authorities were very favourable It was decided to write to Mr Massey asking bim to put the matter before the proper authorities to see if some arrangement of the kind suggested cannot b2 effected. Other members agreed that this idea would be to the mutual advantage of the Society and the Defence Department. OLD SHOWGROUNDS The president said they could do nothing about disposing of ths tld Ehowgrounds without tailing a meeting cf members and getting their authority to Bell.

Mr D. R. Hamilton moved, That the general meeting cf members be called for Tuesday, March 31st, to consider the questior. Seconded by Mr Lasrie and carried.

Mr Ballard suggested that" the ground* should be sold in one blork.

In the discussion which followed this idea seemed to be most generally favoured.

Mr D. R. Hamilton proposed, 'lhat it be recommended to the general meeting that tenders be invited for hj grounds a3 a whole, but if the tenders prove ui satisfactory that the land be roaded, cut up and scld in sections. Seconded by Mr l.awrie and carried. ENLARGEMENT OF COMMITTEE. I.aet year Mr Wylie brought forward a proposal to ei.large the committee o? management, and Mr Rouleton now referred to this matter. He suggested that it would be a good tuing, aa at present olj members of committee had an advantage over new candidates who would probably make really good members of committee.

Mr Wjlie gave notice that hj would move at the next general meeting of members that the number of members of committee be ircreaeed from 12 to 20. A PONY OVER-HEIGHT.

Mr Potter explained a difficulty that arose over a 13.2 pony in the Bhowring. The exhibitor claimed that an allowance should have bo»n made for the shoes, but Mr Totter said so far as be knew the rulea did not provide for any such allowance.

I [he idea was favourably considered to have a measuring apparatus outside tha ring on tha new showground so that the measurements would be made before entering the show ring.