FRANKLIN A. & P. SOCIETY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 388, 2 July 1918, Page 1

FRANKLIN A. & P. SOCIETY

Annual Report.

Mr Dynes Fulton, the President of the Franklin A and F. Society, in the annual report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Society to be held at Pukekohe to-morrow (Wednesday) states as follows : "Itis an open secret that, being unable to sell the old show ground satisfactorily owing to the war, our finances were getting strained, and some of our pessimistic friends were prophesying our do w fall. However, thanks to the energy and ability displayed by some of our members we have managed to weather the storm. Now, it only requires us to peg away on the lines on which we have started, and in a few years we will be free from financial embarrassment. Our thanks are due to Messrs Roulston Brcs for the way they have met us in regard to the interest on their portion of the showground. By taking over the grazing of the showground at an annual rental that equalised their interest, they have eased the financial responsibilities of the Society for five years. Our calf scheme realised £250 and while thanking the donors, the purchasers and the auctioneers for their kind assistance, our thanks are especially due to the organisers Messrs Jas. Wylie and J. N. Massey for the able and successful manner in which they carried the project through. Canvassing for special I>rizes shows an increase of £l5O over ast year. This is largely due to the efforts of Mr Perkins and Mr Jas. Roulston. By a levy of ten per cent, on the prizes we saved £53 4s. We wish to thank the prize winners for consenting with such a good grace to this levy. We have not heard a single grumble out of a hundred and twenty prize winners who were thus taxed. It is a record of which we are proud. It shows we have the cordial support and co-operation of our members, who are willing to help us in a practical way out of our financial difficulties. It is this spirit that will cany us through. Mr Robert Bilkey grew the green feed for us this year as a donation. By doing so he saved the Society £2O. Our thanks are specially due to him fordoing it as well as to Messrs Frank Perkins and Co. for donating the seed. On carting and labour this year we saved £33. This was due to the Committee and Stewards practically doing all the work and carting free. Mention should also be made of those Stewards and Committeemen who, under Mr Barter's supervision, undertook the arduous duties of the gates on both days of the show. By going on lines similar to last season and organising another calf scheme, canvassing for special prizes, and getting all our work done voluntarily, we should soon lift the Society out of debt. This is a worthy object as it should be the ambition of all residents in the district to keep the district and show to the front. An Agricultural Society by always endeavouring to improve the standard of the flocks, herds, studs, and products, is doing a great and noble work for the community. It therefore behoves every member to help in every way possible, both by exhibiting, urging his neighbours to exhibit, and securing fresh members for the Society. It is proposed to increase our General Committee from twenty to sixty. This will provide scope for fresh energy and brains to enter our counsels and assist the management." BALANCE SHEET The financial statement for the 1917-18 show sets forth the receipts at £1592 14s 9J, the principal items being members' fees £459 0s 6d, entry fees £193 d'i 9d, donations (including gift calf sales £202 9s) £482 12s Cd, and gate-money £238 -js sd. The expenses totalled £IOSB 0s BJ, including prizes paid £546 7s 6J, salaries £l7O 2s sd, general accounts £lO7 3s 3d, amusement tax £l9 8s ;U, leaving a credit balance of £.13 4 14d Id. In the general summary of assets and liabilities, the assets are schedulid at £8998 ()s 7d including value of new s'iow ground and buildings 15.91 15s 7d and old show ground (balances dun on sections partly fjaid for ami sections on hand) Il'2'M'S lis, as against liabilities auu umiig to £S'JO2 5i sd, including purchase money owing on new show Kround £5024 16s 7d and bank overdraft £835 (is 2d, leaving a balance of assets over liabilities of £3095 15j2J.