FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 289, 3 July 1917, Page 4

FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Annual Meeting The annual meeting of the Franklin A. and P. Society was held in the Masonic Hall, Pukekohe, on Friday afternoon last, Mr C. K. Lawrie (President) being in the chair. Mr Hamilton's illness Before proceeding with the business of the meeting the Chairman referred to the serious illness of Mr D. R. Hamilton, a past President and a useful member of their Executive, and expressed the hope that he Would soon be restored to his usual health. It waa decided to forward a letter to Mrs Hamilton expressing the hope that Mr Hamilton would soon regain his former health THE FINANCIAL POSITION

The balance sheet as presentad showed that a profit of £l6l 3s 8d had resulted on the show. On the general account as against a debit balance brought forward last year of £1559 15s there was an adverse balance of £1274 Is fd, but the receipts during the year were shown as including £624 lis in respect of sales of sections on the old show ground. The old show ground account was scheduled as furnishing a balance of assets over liabilities of £2957, the same being made up of unsold sections, balances of purchase money, etc. The new show ground account set forth liabilities to the amount of £6273 9s, viz., purchase money, interest, bank overdraft, etc., and with the buildings, etc., valued at £5913 18s 7d, a balance of £359 10s 5d liabilities over assets was recorded. Mr A. B. Barter drew attention to the expenditure of £l7 14s Id being rent of a railway section, which section, he said, was a dead letter to the Society. The Chairman explained that the section was secured with the object of using the land on which to build an office, and he questioned, as it was a 21 years' lease, whether the land could be given up. Mr Patterson regarded the expenditure as useless, —Mr Barter urged that the Society should pay no more rent and that the Committee should take steps to dispose of the land. — This was agreed to.

Mr Patterson hurled a series of pointed questions dealing with the number of members and the amount of unpaid subscriptions. The Chairman explained that the amount of subscriptions actually received appeared in balance sheet. Mr Patterson pointed out that subscriptions due and owing as long as a member retained his membership were collectible and should have been shown as assets in the Balance Sheet.

Varioue other questions, which had a destructive, rather than a constructive, effect on the Society, were also put. Mr Allan, however, in a calm and masterly manner, assured the meeting that the Society was in a solvent position, but it required very careful management and some new sources of revenue, said the speaker, would have to be tapped. Among other things he advocated (1) Charging for motor-cars entering the Showground; (2) cartage should be dispensed with—those who biought goods should pay for the cartage ; (3) green feed for cattle should be paid for by the exhibitors; (4) liquors and also the luncheon booth should be abolished; (5J judges' expenses should be curtailed by obtaining judges not far away ; (6) the gate money should be controlled by the Executive ; (7) a gift auction should be held at the close of the Show for the benefit of the Society. Mr Allan uttered a warning note that great care would have to be exercised in all matters of expenditure and by the adoption of the suggested changes he thought the Society's affairs would be in a healthier state.

Mr Patterson urged that the district should be more thoroughly canvassed.

Mr Barter expressed his appreciation of Mr Allan's suggestions, which he felt sure the Executive would consider. He added that Mr R. Bilkey had kindly offered to grow the green feed and Mr Perkins had promised to supply the seed. He was afraid some well meaning members of the Executive had been too optimistic but it had become face the difficulties and to go carefully into all detailed expenditure. ELECTION 01' OFFICERS. The election of officers was then proceeded with and resulted as follows : —President, Mr Dynes Fulton ; senior vice-president, Mr J. N. Massoy ; junior vice-president, Mr A. P. Daysh ; Executive : Messrs A. B. Barter, J. Wylie, J. Roiilston, J. H. Webb, E. Barriball, W. J. A. Rutherford, W. Louden, F. Ballard, F. Perkins, D. li. Hamilton' W. Sharp, A. J. Melville, J. Pottor, J. W. Johns, J. Knnnelly, S. J. Murray, n. J. Craig, W. Young, J Schlaepfer, A. Gummor ; auditors, Messrs E. Allan and F. E Simpson ; lion, treasurer, Mr 11. Bockett. A vote of thanks to tho retiring President brought the meeting to a close.