VETERAN FRANKLIN A.& P. MEMBER

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 453, 5 August 1919, Page 2

VETERAN FRANKLIN A.& P. MEMBER

Mr. C. Shipherd

WHAT THE "OLDHANDS" HID EULOGISTIC RFFERENCKS

To be a member of the Franklm A&PSociety since its inc«ptmn is the proud distinction h-Id by Mr U Shipherd, a well-known and highly respected resident of Pukekohe. He is the father of a society which at the outset was conducted by a very lewmembers, and a society which was as small as the proverbial pin s head, and which at the present day Mas fair to become one of the largest ot of its kiad in the Dominion in its babyhood, the Franklin A & I Bociety gained a hare existence. Mr. Shipherd was the first president, a position he had the honour of holding for a period of three years at a stretch, and which he relinquished in order to give another man a chance In later years Mr Shipherd held the position for a further period of two years. The last show was the olth annual, so that Mr Shipherd has beet* a member since its inception, apeno.t of close on thirty-five years. At the executive meeting on Friday, the matter was referred to. At the request of a previous meeting, a was appointed to interview Mr Shipherd, with a view to obtaining his photograph. Speaking of the matter on Friday, Mr Shipherd said he at first refused to allow his photograph to be hung in the Society 8 rooms, but after much persuasion had consented, and added "to-day I have brought the photograph along (loud applause) "which I present to the Franklin A & P Society" (applaud) Mr Shipherd said he remembered when the first show was held over there, pointing in the directton ot a paddock on the other side of Man k. u Road The shows had been held in various other localities, until a permanent ground had been acquired The first show the "old hands hid the society came out with £l2 to no good. Half of this amount was voted tothehon. secretary. In the next B eyen years they, had accumulated a ?ot of material, and had £2OO m the savings bank. The old fellows became tired and gave the younger ones a shot, and during the next seven years the £2OO had been reduce! to £W, and they had not added auy material to the plant. The old hands-again came into the running, and on the first show they made a profit ot *4U. In the succeeding years the vrohts became greater. They then acquired a new showground, which w now termed the " old showground, in four years the profits were such that they were enabled to P»I off .™ principal and interest. They hen acquired an up-to-date ground, which was among the finest .n the Dominion During the seven years the old hands did not take much interest in the show the officials became very mean. He recollected an occasion when the secretary of the Auckland A & P Association had come to the local show and the local who was handing out luncheon tickets to stewards, .turned round to the ▼ Auckland secretary and said lam sorry, but I can't give you a ticket That was how mean they were continued the speaker. Mr Shipherd wished the society success in luture. behalf of the society, thanked Mr Shipherd for the valuable gift lie said it would be. highly valued and more so in years to come Other members made eulogistic references to their veteran member.