MANAWATU A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8750, 26 February 1907, Page 3

MANAWATU A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Annual Meeting. There was a good attendance of members at tho above meeting heUi at the' A. and P. rooms yesterday. Mr Mcllardy presided. Apologies were received from several members. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet, briefly traversed the ycaFs working up to January 31st, li)0/. Although they could not boast of such a substantial credit balance still he thought, taking all things into consideration, they had been favoured with a very successful year. The Winter Show was held just at a time when the colony was draped in mourning for the late Prcmiex-, but still they came out with a profit. The Spring Show was held on tho verge of the Christchurch Show and the opening of the Exhibition, and despite these attractions, they had a large attendance of the public. Tim loss that they sustained at the Spring Show was the colony’s gain. The question of loss through tickets had been before the Committee for consideration, and they had at last arrived at a system which should meet the difficulty and the approval of all members who have the welfare of the Association at heart. Four and a half acres of "round had recently been acquired by the Association, and the grounds would soon become for sports and show purposes the best in the colony and prove a good source of revenue to the Association. He considered that some outside attractions should be provided at tho Winter Show. The Committee looked forward to the time when they could provide covered accommodation for all the sheep at the Spring Show. He wished to thank all the members of the Committee, judges, and donors of trophies, cups, etc. ; also to mention the excellent work done by Mr Lane and his office staff. He mentioned that a large number of visitors called during the year to inquire into the working of the Association, and this alone took up a great deal of MiLane’s time. Mr J. M. Johnston had proved an energetic and capable treasurer, ever with the interests of the Association at heart.

Mr J. M. Johnston, treasurer, read comparative figures upon the working for the last few years. The net profit was only £2ll 11s 6d,'the smallest yet shown, as against £641 10s 3d for 1905-G. He hoped that this was a turning point in the history of the Association. The loss through tickets he had hoped was permanently averted, and ho considered the privileges given by the Association were the best in the colonics. Tho amount written off for depreciation in 1904-5 was £lB4, 1905-G £222, 190 G-7 £2SG. The profit on balance-sheet for 19045 was £BB7, 1905-G £7G2, 100 G-7 £2ll. The net cash deposit at bank in 1904-5 was £lO7l, 1905-G £984, 1906-7 £4GS. The revenue had decreased as follows ; Gates £123, donations £212, catalogues £B, dairy show fees, etc., £49, gates £l3; total £405. The increase was : Entrance fees £2O, subscriptions £7, rent of pens £33 ; total £6o—showing a decrease of £345. The total increase on expenditure was £290. The profit for tho Winter Show decreased from £259, last year to £9O, this year a difference of £169. The prize money increased to £144, with only an increase of £7 in membership, as against an increase of new members in 1904-5 of £155. He then seconded the motion for adoption of report and balancesheet.

Speaking on the balance-sheet, Mr§W. F. Jacobs said that he recognised that he would have a hard road to traverse during the coming year. He would point out to the members the necessity to economise. It might be even necessary to cut down the prizes, still he was confident that the members would render him every assistance. Mr Cohen said that one year must not be taken as an .indication o£ the earning power of the Association. He pointed out that the increase in prize money during the past five years was £SOO, the members’ subscriptions £550, and against that the donations had decreased. He did not apprehend a great deal of difficulty in the future management of the Association if a policy of prudence was carried out. He hoped that the impression would not bo conveyed to the outside public taat the committee feared the task before them.

Mr Wheeler said he could see no reason why the prize money should be reduced, but the members should certainly consider the advisability of studying economy and self-denial. The following new members were elected to the committee: —F. B. Mcßae 131, C. Dunk 124, J. Thompson 122, J. McKelvie 118, F. W. Arbon 117, H. J. Booth 116, F. DJackson 105, S. Standcn 103, A. Conway 94, W. McKenzie 92, H. Bryant 87, G. N. Pharazya 82. Informal votes 104. Mr MeHardy then welcomed Mr Jacobs, the new president, to the chair. Mr Jacobs appropriately thanked the retiring chairman for his kindly sentirm-nts, Mr Cohen movi d a very hearty vote of thanks to tli-; retiring president. —Carried unanimously. Messrs Rutherfurd and Connell were re-elected auditors. Mr Wheeler said ho would like to place upon record the liberal support received from Mr Stuckey. His leaving the colony would not only mean a loss to this Association, but also to the whole of New Zealand. For many years he hsd been a very keen and ardent supporter of the Association. He trusted that Mr Stuckey would soon return to the colony.—The proposition was seconded by Mr Jacobs and carried unanimously. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to Mr J. M. Johnston, treasurer, the staff, and the Press.