FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 182, 13 June 1916, Page 2

FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Meeting of Executive.

A meeting of the Exvcutivo of the Franklin A. and P. Society was held in the Pukekobe Bcrough Council Chambers last Friday evening, the members present being Mesurs I). Iv. Hamilton (president), J. itauls on, A. P. Daysii, A. B. Barter, J. K'minelly, J. N. Massey, F. C. Shiphord, L 11. Webb, James Wylie, C. Iv. Lawrie, R. Bilkey and J. M. Lax or (secretary \ MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Wiley reported that the work of levelling the show-ring was wjll in hand. It was decided to take steps t > secure the necessary land tiamfor title for sections on the old sho»v ground and to advertise the sectim; for sale. Notilication was received from t'l > New Zealand Council of Agriculture that the annual conference wou'd ho held in Wellington on Tuesday, July 11th. RATING OF SHOWGROUNDS. A circular letter was received from the Manawatu A. and P. Association asking support to the movement for exempting A. and P. showgrounds from taxation by local authorities. It was contended that the work done by A. and P. Associations was for the public benetit and the payment of rates was merely the transfor of funds from the public pocket to local bodies by way of the A. and P. Associations. Local bodies, it was pointed out, had power to remit rates, but it was suggested that it was not a matter that should be left to the goodwill or otherwise of public bodies.—A resolution was passed in support ot' the movement.

" MILKING SHORTHORNS." The Council of the Now Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association (Mauawatu) wrote asking that tho usual classes provided for other dairy cattle should be scheduled for Milking Shorthorns at tho tfrankliu Society's show. The Association, it was statod, had been formed to oucourago farmers to obtain the best dairy cow, when ready to bo disposed of, as a dual purpose animal, being the best rosult to the farmer.—The letter was loft over to tho iucoming committoo to deal with. HIGHER SUBSCRIPTION RECOMMENDED. In accordance with notico of motion Mr Jas. Roulston moved that the Executive should recommend the annual meeting to increase tho annual subscription from 10s to 20s. Ho stated that previously his idea had been a low fee and large membership but ho was now convinced that a change was necessary. The Society had been in existence some DO years and had failed to advance as it should have done owing to being handicapped by want of funds. If they could not get more capital to work on the Society would remain us it was. The question wa3 "how to get more capital?" and he considered the best way would be lo ask each member to make a sacrifice bv contributing £1 instead of Ids, which would give then an additional yearly revenue of more than £3Oll. He did not think many members would object, for bv such means the Society would be able to launch out in a much bigger way than now. Mr R. Biikey seconded. Mr C. K. Lawrie supported, and considered that members should [be prepared to assist the Society in keeping up to date, especially as a 20s subscription was the rule in nearly every other leading Association.

Mr l)ajsh also welcomed the proposal, and mentioned that the Feilding Association increased its subscription to 20s, and instead of decreasing its membership roll had been strengthened. Mr Webb opposed, and expressed the opinion that there would be a loss both in entries and members.

Mr Wiley combattcd Mr Webb's views, and pointed out that after deducting the value ot admission tickets and the cost of postage of correspondence to members the present JUs subscription only represented 5s to the Society. The President contended that the progress of the district warranted a change to a higher rate ot subscription. No man, he said, wanted to see the Fukckohe Show fall away from its present position of being one of the four leading shows in the Auckland province, but if it was to retain its place it could only dj ao by bringing its subscription into line with the 2(is charged by other Societies. Even the average farmer, he claimed, benefitted by the Society's work in having improved the pedigree stock in the district.

The motion was carried, Mr Webb alone dissenting. A suggestion by Mr Uaysb for juniors (under 21 years of age) to be charged half rates was alpo adopted for recommendation to the annual meeting. DATE OF ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting was fixed for Friday, July 28th. at 2.30 D.m. Mr Wiley gave notice that at the annual meeting he would move an alteration in rules to provide for future annual meetings being held in the month of June instead of Julv, his idea being that in June farmers could easier attend the meeting than in Julv, when they were busily employed.