FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 216, 28 July 1914, Page 1

FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Annual Meeting of Members. Thetc were abcut ':5 members present at the annua' mcetirg of the Franklin A. and t J . Srciety held in the Masonic hall en Thtmday afternoon. The presiden': (Mr J. VVyli ) occupied the chair. THE COMMITTEE >NLA!:ii!'U. The president moved the motion of which notice lad been givc:\ Th3t the number of th* General Committee he increased from 12 to 20.

Mr Wylio said that for sumo time ho had been of the opinion tint the time had arrived when they should have a bigger general committee. They wanted new Mood and to have more men in training for the higher offices uf the Society. At present the committee was largely composed of past presidents, and he thought it would he a go d move to increase the number of members from 12 to 20. The Society was steadily growing and the district was growing and they wanted more ns-istanee at show time.

Mr J. lioulstoii agreed that the time was ripe for increasing the number of the committee. Fiom the small beginnings of GO years ago the Society had grown to what it was at tho present time. New people were constantly coming to the district. Ho reUiCinbeiod tho lime when a new an ha! was the talk of the plac • for a couple of weeks ; now people came to tho town and they were not known for some time. Many of these people might prove useful if they could be secured to the Society. Hitheito tho old committees had been ie-elected and strangers to the distiict were " turned elowu," which was often a distinct loss to the Society. Of course they could not turn down old and proved workers —such as Mc-ssis Rutherford, Shipherd or Potter—for a stranger. They did tot want to put such as those oil the committee but they wanted new paople to cjme on. This could bo met by increasing the number of tho committee to 20.

Mr J. G. Rutherford humorously suggested that they would bo doing him a good turn by " turning him down," but when they did him the honour of re-electing him he thought it his duty to attend the meetings and do his share of the work at the shows. He thought the increase in the number of committee members had become necessary.

Mr J. Walter Johns questioned whether there should he the same efficiency with 20 members us with 12. If tlu*re were twenty members, scattered all round the district, they might iiutl it difficult to attend the meetings and might think that since there were so many of th«iii it would bo all light if they *ayed away. He wanted to know whether it was intended to have a small executive and another bigger committee. Mr E. Allan said that while not opposing the motion lie questioned whether the aim and desire would be met by enlarging the corarnittoo. His experience was that a large committee did not think it so much their duty to attend meetings as did members of smaller committees. It seemed to him that at present the committee changed round every three years or so. Ho thought they should consider the matter well before they made any change. Mr 1». K. Hamilton said that shows were different to other institutions, it was difficult to get the right men at show time. Ul'teu they would like to put members of the executive in charge of the different sections, but these members were not available. Their business was getting so big that it would soon be necessary to alter tlio management of tho tedious, and the committee thought it wise to increase their numbers.

Mr Wylie, in reply, said the committee of twenty would work as u general committee and would appoint sub • committees iioni the gene-

■ ral committee, for linar.c', special management, and r-o on. He supported all that Mr Hamilton had j said. At present there were not | enough members of the executive to Igo round the different sections. It ; would bo a distinct advantage to have tho bigger committee. • The motion was carried without dissent. KtroßT AM) IAI A\i E SHEET. The twenty-ninth aunual repoit, . for tho year ending June 00th, was , read as follows :

"The Show of I'.'il was I favoured by beautiful weather, and ; was largely attended by the public 'as instanced by the amount ot ' gate mone\ collected. The stock, | almost without exception, were ol exceptionally superior quality, and I relleeted great credit t > exhibitors j and districts represented. The j horticultural and farm products. j togetbei with home industries, including needlework and school classes lot mod one ol the best displays ot its kind titat has been held in iiie province at an Agricultmal Show. The committee are verj grateful indeed for the liberal support accorded die Society by exhibitors in all sections. The membership has been augmented by many new names, all ol which we heartily welcome. The membership roll now stands at 70i, which shows considerable progress. It is with regret we have to record the loss of a number ot our members by death during the year just gone by. Your committ..e having recognised the fact that to improve the Franklin A. and 1\ Society's Show and raise it to be a worthy and bcuelicial advertisement for the district, greater inducement must be offered to exhibitors to increase number and quality of exhibits, and such increase can hardly fail in having bcuelicial i espouse from visitors to the annual show. With this object ill view, your committee increased the prize money to what was considered a reasonable estimate of what expected revenue would allow, consequently more prize m nicy has been paid* for the 11*11 Show than the year previous. Revenue. —It may be observed that the amount collected up to the closing of the books on .allth June did not come up to the demands made on it by the expenditure to that dt.te ; but it may also be noted 1114 on (lie books there is more than sufficient money thai can be reasonably considered collectable to wipe- oil any deficiency at present showing. Your committee have carried into elli-* -1 the recommendation of members and have purchased land lor a new Show Ground. The necessary improvements thereon are well advanced. Your committee have secured an Office site inapromineiil position, it having been found that it was detrimental hi a marked degree having the Society's olliee on an obscure site.''

The president said this was their 2!H!i anniversary. Two years ago tlioy had honoured him by clouting him president and a permanent secretary had been engaged. The shows held during the past two years had been records for the Society. The stock show n compared very favourably witli that shown elsewhere in the North Island. '1 he reputation of the Franklin Society with the exhibitors had never been held in higher esteem thau it was to-day. The membership had ini reused to over 700 whiclfc was very gratifying, and ho hopelTwheu the new president opened the new showgrounds that lie would be able to announce the membership was 1000. The last show was one of the best they had had, but the iinancial result was not <j[uite to good as lie would have liked to see, owing to the policy of progress adopted and new departments introduced. Some JJlils was paid out in prize money last year, which was the largest sum ever paid out. They also had better entries. This district was a sluaH man's district, and the membership fie, 10s, was small but it conferred great benefits upon members. lie thought it was duo to everybody to come forward arid show their confidence in l'ukokoho and its district. They should have faith in tho district because it was worth having

4fith in. He thoio would ho no difficulty in geltiiig I <KH) members. He had great faith in the future of tin- show, nnd saw no reason why the Franklin Society should not have one of the leading shows in the Auckland l'rovinco if not iu the North Island, within tlie next ten years. Because of Pukekohy's geographical position he believed they would have one of tho ber-t shows here. They had purchased their new showground which had a magnificent natural grandstand capable of accommodating at least 20,000 people. The improveni'.nts made had cost a lot of money, but it was .'■. till a cheap glound. They had done thu ploughing and grassing, and the system of treeplanting was nearly completed. With their new grounds and the district they had they could look into the future with optimism; every success would bo theirs if they only worked for it. The date of the show should he anr.our.ed as soon as possible and next year they found that February 20 and 27 would be free, and the Committee hud notified the kindred societies that Franklin Show would occupy those dates. They wanted to avoid clashing. He acknowledged tho splendid assistance rendered to tho Society by the local and Auckland people in giving such generous support. As for his presidency the committee had graciously overlooked his shortcomings, and they had worked harmoniously together for the fuitheratice of the woik for which they had been elect d. He moved the adoption of tho report and balance sheet. Mr (J. Shiphcrd seconded. Mr l'attersou asked what provision had hem made tor paying the interest on tho new showgrounds, and ho wanted to know what had become of the legacy from Latimer's estate.

The president n plied that only a few days ago they had word from the Trustee. They expected to leceivo £jo per annum from tho estato. A sister of the late Mr Latimer had applied for assistance fioui the estate for herself and her daughter. Tho benefitting societies agreed to help them during their life time and upon their death the interests would revert to tho • ociety. The interest on about JL'IOO of this Society's share would ho devoted iu that way. He thought they would have disposed of tho old showmounds before the time of settlement for the new grounds, and he did not think there would be any ciiilic it'-.y in financing the two grounds.

(.'barged against this yeabs operations was £lll Is Til for improvements to the new grounds. Mr Rutherford thought tins should have Wn charged against a special account as the balance she* t would then li<ive shown the workings for the vear in a much better position, Rev. F. lb Dobson made some remarks on the balance-sheet, after which he said that the prize money was twice as much as it was three years ago, and the members' subscriptions totalled twice ;,s much as four years ago.

Mr Patterson, formerly secretary to the Society, said tho bank overdraft was not shown 011 the balance sheet. lie asked particulars abjut what expenses were included under the heading of "casual labour," wanted to know who got certain printing, aud what had become of the Profit aud Loss account, what the smoke concert cost, how many members paid to go to the concert and who was entitled to attend.

The questions were patiently answeiel by the president. Replying to whit was said about the balance-sheet, Ilev. F. 15. Dobsou, one of the auditors, s lid tliis was out' of the best balance sheet- of the Society they h:ul had U audit for years. The adoption of the report and balanco sheet was carried. Tilt XEW rKESILitXX. Mr Wylio said ho had much pleasuie in proposiug Mr D. 11. Hamilton to be president for the ensuing year. During the live year- that they ha 1 been ass uiatcd on the executive no one had proved his worth more than Mr Hamilton. Mr J. \V. Johns seconded the proposal which was carried auiid>t loud applause. Mr Hamilton said ho felt that whilst they had conferred a great honour upon him they had also conferred a great responsibility. It' he made only ha'f as good a president as his predecessor the - iciety would not suffer anything. As a committee they had to work and ho wanted them all to be worker-. I'very member could assist the secretary by introducing to his notice people who were likely to become members of the society. Jle hoped with the retiring president that they would have 1000 members by next show. (Applause'.

TUB RETIRING PRESIDENT. Mr J. G. Kuihorforl ako congratulated Mr ilaiuilron. 110 wanted to say that Mr Wjlio hid donfl a tremendous lot of woik, particularly in putting the new showground ia ordeY Ho had much pleasure- in proposing a veiy hearty vote of thanks to Mr Wylie. Mr Hamilton : And I have very much pleasuro in seconding it.

Mr J. Roulston said tliat for over two years Mr Wylio had presided over the destinies of the Society in a manner woithy of himself and a credit to tho Society. What appealed to the speaker most was Mr Wylie's absolute fairness in presiding over their discussions. Mr Wylio hadtorae through without a blemish and tho experience had strengthened his character and fitted kirn to occupy a larger sphere of ibilueiice. (Applause,. The motion was cordially acclaimed.

Mr W\lie bihlly aud appropriately thnnkoi the monitors, saying that such appreciation was a sufficient reward foi what he had done for the Society.

THE VICE-PRESIDENTS, Mr C. K. Lavviie, fornvrly junio: vice-president was elected senior vice-president unoppo ed. Mr F E. Simpson was elected junior vicepresident. In proposing li m, Mr Wylie said that Mr had been connected with the woik of lho Society for many years, and the speaker looked forward lo him becoming one of the bet picsidonts the Societv had ever had

HIE EXECUTIVE. The following gentlemen were elected to the Executive Committee : Messrs J. BouUton, Webb, J. Wylie, E. G. Thillipps, F. Ballard, J. G. Rutheiford, J. Kenuelly, A. P. Dajsh, J. Massey, A. B. Barter, W. Sharp, H. Bilkey, W. Dunn, J. Schlatter, T. S. Shipherd, D Fulton, H. Craig, J. Totter, W. K. Lawton and J. Wallace.

Alter some persuasion and many compliments upon their good work had been passed, Pev. F. B. Dobson and Mr E. Allan were reelected as auditors.

THE SECRETARY. Mr Baxter came in for additional praise. His snlaiy was dcsciibed as scandalously low and Lis woik was spoken of in terms of great praise. Mr D. R. Hamilton said he was sure the committee would give every consideration to the suggestion that the salary should be raised.

Mr J. Koulston said that Mr Baxter was a wonderfully good secretary, and a very, very hard working man in the paddock. He had done wonders on the new showground and was working in all weathers when other peoplo could not get their men out. Mr J'axter thanked the meeting, but said lie was perfectly satisfied to go on at his present salary, helping the society until it was able to pay more. (Applause )

AUCTIoxEEIi's FEES. Mr C. Shipherd brought up the question of the commissions charged by the auctioneers. If possible the farmers should get a co-operative auctioneering company. This society should co operate with the Farmers' Union in its efforts to secure lower commission charges. He moved to this effect. Mr J. Wylie seconded tho motion which was carried.

WSEASUi STOUC. Mr Webb yugtjested that action should be taken to prohibit diseased stock from being taken into clean districts for sale by auction. Mr Wylie said that contagious mammitis and abortion were very serious diseases, and if they could stop suffering cows from mixing with clean cows they would be acting in tho interests not only of this province but of all the peoplo of this Dominion. Vote 3 of thanks to Mr and Mrs Baxter, tho auditors, the treasurer, and the oulguing committee terminated tho meeting.