FIRST HONORARY LIFE MEMBER

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 552, 27 July 1920, Page 2

FIRST HONORARY LIFE MEMBER

FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY. MU. C. SHIPHERI). A pleading interlude occurred in the course of the business conducted at the annual meeting of the Frank tin A. and P. Society last Friday afternoon, when, on the motion of the president (Mr. J. N. Massey), sec onded by Mr. John Schlaepfer, Mr. (J. Shipherd, a veteran of over eighty years of age, who has been a member of the society for the past 35 years, and was its first president, "was made the society's First hoiioiury life-member.

The president said that Mr. Shipherd had always been one of the best members of the society, and had been president for three periods. In the old days Mr. Shipherd was the backbone of the society, and did a tremendous amount of work. In fact, he was known to-day as the father of the society. Mr, Schlaepfer seconded the motion, and endorsed the president's remarks.

In speaking to the motion, Mr. Jas. Roulston said he remembered Mr. Jas Roulston said he remembered Mr Shipherd from his (the speaker's) earliest years. He had been the society's best friend, and had helped it along in many ways. About 20 years ago he secured a property of about 13 acres, which is now known as the

"old showground.'' There were pessimists in those days, just as there are now wet blankets who put a damper on all progressive movements. Mr Shipherd purchased the 13 acres, and held it in his '«» name for six months before HWsociety would relieve him ol ft. Seeing that this

land was s.ild not long ago for about »;100 per quarter-acre section, the original purchase by the society, it Mi" Shipherd's instigation, has been more than justified. Hut Mr. Shipherd was never conservative, and when about seven years ago he saw that the old ground' had outgrown its usefulness, he was appointed, together with the president and senior vice-presidents of the clay, to select a site for a new showground. This committee viewed four properties, but finally selected the present ground, and Mr. Shipherd was very clear in his reasons for the choice, which has since been fully justified. The committee had cheaper properties offered, as far as actual cash values go, but results, especially those of the recent winter slwiw, prove that the decision was a wise one. Mr. Shipherd was one of those staunch pioneers who thought nothing of stripping his coat off and tackling any and all kinds of work in connexion with a show. Nothing was too difficult or too displeasing for him, as long as the doing of it was in the interests of the society.

Of the fifteen past-presidents of the society, all are now alive except the late Mr. «T. Barriball, of Waiuku. The following are the names of those Chas. Shipherd, J. G. Rutherford, sen., G. Russell, John Schlaepfer, sen., W. Sharp, (Jeo. Ballard, A. J. Lawrie, Jas. Rou'lston, Jap. Potter, W. J. Rutherford, jun., Jas. Yvylie, I); R. Hamilton, C. K. Lawrie, and Dynes Fulton. It is doubtful whether any other similar organisation in New Zealand is -so fortunate as to have such a larg'e number of past officials on its membership.