MANAWATU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9070, 10 February 1908, Page 8

MANAWATU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

GENERAL COMMITTEE “MEETING. A meeting- of the general committee of the A. ami P. Association ■was held- on Saturday morning, Mr W. F. Jacob presiding. The Auctioneers’ Association wrote regarding the use of the Association’s grounds for the annual ram fsirA It considered £3O for the two days was too much, but offered £lO and undertook to provide labour, etc., for the erection of necessary stands. The secretary bad replied offering the grounds for £2O on the same terms as hitherto in regard to stands, pavilion, etc., but the auctioneers decided that it would he more convenient to hold the fair, at Messrs Abraham and Williams’ sale yards. The Chairman said there was a standing resolution on the minutes that the grounds should not he let for less than £lO a day, and he had not felt justified' in going beyond that. The auctioneers had the use of the grounds for practically a fortnight for the stock. The Chairman’s action was endorsed. Messrs G. S. Parson, Belmont, A. Eummanstream, Palmerston North, and O. E. Lovett, Kimboltou, were elected members. Accounts amounting to £B7 were passed for payment. .■.'lncluded in the gronnd committee’s report was a recommendation that the association’s reserves be ploughed, stumped and sown at a cost of £23. Mr M. Cohen considered that no adequate benefit would result from such expenditure on leasehold ground. Would it attract more exhibitors or reduce the cost of green feed? He moved that the suggestion bo not adopted. Mr Booth seconded. Mr J. M. Johnston considered the work advisable. Mr Lancaster said that green feed could thus be grown and all stocK fed, if the work were done. Mr Gillies agreed with Mr Cohen, who in reply said that where money was involved the'matter ought to go before the Finance committee first. motion was lost, and the recommendation was adopted. Messrs W. T. Wood, M.P., J. G. Harkuess, E. Short and S. R. Lancaster were appointed vice-presi-dents. THE YEARS’ WORK. The annual report and balancesheet for the year ended January 31st ■were read and adopted, In reference to the Dairy Show it was stated that financially and in other ways it bad been a pronounced success. In 1907 when the Combined Show was held £436 was received in gate-money from all sources including admission fees from members of the association last June the gate receipts totalled £613 exclusive of members’ subscriptions. Excellent results had been achieved in the dairy factory classes. For the next June show Dominion ■ championship prizes for butter and cheese were being offered under the auspices of the New Zealand Butter and Cheese Factory Managers’ Association. The New Zealand Poultry Association had re-instated the rule granting licenses to A. and P. associations during May, June, and July, and poultry would be made a feature of the Dairy Show. THE FINANCES.

In view of the somewhat stationary position of the receipts and the steady increase in expenditure, the committee had given considerable attention to and means to enable the present show standard to be maintained and provide further improvements. The receipts from members’ subscriptions had fallen from £1,455 to £1,255, a loss of £l9O. The committee were of opinion that a portion of the decline was du« to the fact that members had not been energetic enough in endeavouring to obtain new members to replace those l§3t by death and retirement. A sysv'eiiQ lit vtisr. would bring the nundber nn ufi last year’s standard. Even'- wini the reduction of expenses the association must be prepared to face diminished promts for some years to come with the result that, . instead of being able to expend from £6OO to £7OO per annum ou permanent improvements as in the past, only about £3OO or £4.00 a year could be "safely counted on for that purpose. The.balance-sheet showed a profit of £539, but after writing off £261 for depreciation of buildings, this was reduced to £377. The,- report and balance-sheet will come before the annual general meeting. On the motion of Mr Johnston, seconded by Mr Arbon, a beartj 7 vote of thanks was accorded the re- — tiring president for his services.