FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 190, 11 July 1916, Page 4

FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Executive of the Franklin Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held last Friday evening in the Pubekohe Borough Council Chamber, the members present being Messrs D. B. Hamilton (president), H. Dynes Fulton, 0. K. Lawrie, F. E. Simpson, F. C Shipherd. J. Koulston, A. P. Daysh, J. N. Massey, J. H Webb, James Wylie, K. Bilkey, J. Kennelly and J. M. Baxter (secretary). A. AND P., CONFERENCE. Mr Dynes Fulton, who mentioned that he would be in Wellington at the time was appointed to represent the Society as a delegate to the conference of A. and P. Societies to be held tbis week, and Mr Wylie suggested that Mr Fulton should also interview the Prime Minister (Mr Massey) to ascertain if anything had been done as to the Government acquiring the oil showground for the erection of Workmen's Homes thereon. THE NAVF FUNDj A letter was read from the Auckland branch of the Navy League asking the Society's help to the fund being raised in support of the dependents of men lost in the recent North Sea engagement. Members united in expressing appreciation of the services of the Navy, but it was recognised that as the Society already had a bank overdraft of an amount closely approaching its authorised limit, it would be impossible to vote any money direct from the Society. It was therefore agreed that individual members should instead be asked to give liberal donations to the Navy Fund. SHADE ON THE SHOW GROUND. It was resolved to plant waltle and other trees on the high portion of the new show ground and also willows on the western side of the show-ring. THE PRESIDENCY.

Mr D. K. Hamilton took the opportunity of expressing his thanks for the ready assistance given him by members of the Executive during his two years' tenure of office as President and upon being asked if he would be willing to accept nomination for re-appointment he replied in the negative, explaining that owing to shortage of labour his time would be fully occupied on his farm.

Au endeavour to persuade Mr Dynes Fulton to undertake the presidential duties ako proved unsuccessful for reasons similar to those expressed by Mr Hamilton and with Mr Simpson (the senior Vice-president) and Messrs Massey,

Wylie, Bilkey, Kennelly and Lawiie also all declining, a difficulty iu tilling the vacancy becwne apparent. Mr Lawrie gave it as his opinion that the appointment was one that should be occupied by a lancer but Mr Hamilton considered that iu view of current circumstances a business man should anyhow next year accept the otiioe as the time of farmers would be fully taken up ou their farms. A uuamnious request was accordingly made to Mr L iwrie to accept nomination and ic was understood that if no one else was forthcoming he would be willing to till the breach.

A motion of appreciation of Mr Hamilton's services as Presideut was passed and ordered to bd recorded ou the minutes. REPORT AND BALANCE isHEET.

Ihe annual report and balance sheet, as printed, were adopted lor presentation to the annual meeting, to be held on Friday, the 28th inst. The report k as follows :—" Your Committee have pleasure in placing before you the 31st annual balance of your Society's books which briuj s us to the 30th June, 1016. Iu reporting on the show held in February last it may be stated that in both exhibits and attendance it exceeded expectations completely, especially as most show promoters and enthusiasts were prepared for loss of interest and exhibits owing to the upheaval caused by the European war now raging, but it is pleasing to note that the show proved to be one of the very best ever held in this Northern Province of New Zealand. During the time intervening since the last annual balance the new showground has been put in thoroug h working order, buildings removed .-from the old ground to the new one and a new industries shed has been erected for exhibits, also substantial cattle yards and horse pens have been erected and other necessary fixtures. The improvements have caused a lot of expense which had to be faced, notwithstanding that a large amount of voluntary assistance was given towards the carting and labour involved. Your Committee wish to convey their sincere thanks for the valuable assistance rendered the Society by a large number of willing helpers with the work of the show and donators to the Society's funds." The balance sheet showed that the receipts amounted to £1238 8s 9d, the principal items being £245 7s 6d members' subscriptions, £217 15s entry fees, £247 13s donations and trophies, of privileges, £226 14s Od gate money, £65 14s grazing and rents, and £34 5s pait payment of sections sjld on old show ground. The expenditure, including a debit balance of £166 4s brought forward, totalled £2708 3s Ud leaving a debit balance of £1550

lis. The nia ; n items of expenditure were £606 0s 9d prizes, £166 6s lid salaries'and wages, £lll 2s 2d incidentals, £l6 16, 10d rates, £lll 3s Od advertising and priuting, £4OO 10s loan payments, £3OO 4s 5s loading and 1 metalling, etc, old showground, £6l" 16s'.)Jnevv buildings, &c, new show ground, and £llO 12s 6d interest and bank charges. The assets of the Souety are set forth at £8606 12s sd, including £2721 10s Hd value of old showgrouud, £.5620 8s ltd value of new show ground and buildings, and £lB4 8a outstanding subscriptions and fees. The liabilities are scheduled at £6586, including £1703 purchase money and outsanding interest on new show-ground and £1456 4s 5d bank overdraft, leaving an excess of assets over liabilities of £2020 Is sd.

As previously reported, the annual meeting is to be asked to sanction an increase of members' subscriptions from 10s to 20s with a view of adding to the Society's income.

At a war wedding in London retjently the bridegroom failed to turn up at the appointed time. Two of the quests hurried away to the barracks and came back with the gratifying news that the missing bridegroom was in the act of being decorated with the "C.8.," whereat the bridal party rejoiced. It was not until later in the day that they learned that the mystic letters " L'.B ," whicli stand for an important decoration, also uiein ''coutiued to barracks."