A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 39, 29 January 1912, Page 6

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

GENERAi COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the general committee of the Stratford A. and P. Association was held on Saturday afternoon. There wore present, the President (Mr R. Dingle, in the chair), W. P. Kirkwood, T. Webb, W. Lynn, J. 13. Richards, J. Thomas, J. D. Healy, H. Good, A. Stewart, D. J. Malone, S. Mi Porritt, H. T. Twiss, and AY. W.

Harkness. The President stated that since there were at the present time no autumn shows in Taranaki, though New Plymouth was thinking of changing from spring to autumn, the executive had thought it would be a pleasant function for the farmers if a sports meeting could be held in the autumn. He wished, however, to say straight out that members must agree to forego their usual privileges and pay at the gate. If members were not willing to pay then - shilling, he would not be prepared to go on with tho scheme. On a fine • day they might clear £l5O. Whatever profit might be made lie. suggested that it should be ear-marked for some improvement that would benefit members, say the enlargement of the members’ stand. Mr Richards moved “That the recommendation of the executive to hold a' gymkhana in the autumn of 1912 be adopted, with the proviso that members’ tickets do not give admission to the ground on that day.”

Asked if he was in favour of earmarking the profits, Mr Richards replied, “No; I don’t think it is advisable to tie the hands of the Association with regard to their funds.” In speaking to the resolution, Mr Richards said he assumed that' the executive had gone into the question from a financial point of view. The Chairman: “That is so.” Mr Richards thought that the gymkhana would be an admirable idea ; it would make use of the ground, and any profit they might make would be very acceptable. So far as the l members’ privileges concerned, he did not think that if the members fairly understood the position they would not expect to go in free. Mr Good seconded the motion. There was nothing much on at that time of the year, and it would draw a good crowd. He was sure that if everybody got in on tickets, they would make nothing out of it at all. ;Mr Webb questioned whether it Would not be advisable to ear-mark profits for a People’s Stand. Mr Dingle said it had been recommended that a people’s stand should bq built. That was one of the most important things. They felt that they could afford to put up a decent stand. Probably £IOO as well could bo taken from the special fund to subsidise any money derived from the gymkhana, and that could be used for the enlargement of the members’ stand. At present thbrb were M early three thousand members, and the grandstand seated only some 1500. How could they squeeze them in? He emphasised' again the necessity for members not being on the free list. Mr Thomas: “Evidently the Society has too many members. Tho Society must be doing too well, when it can afford to Walk over members like this. If this is the case, I should like to withdraw. If this is the case, ,why not let the ground to someone for the , purpose of holding such a meeting./ Mr Healy, remarked that if the matter was going to be taken up in that spirit, they had better drop the mattery He asked if it was their in forest to canvass at all for tho p h:? money, and - was answered in the hive hy' thd, . secretary. ' H&, wc-t iri to the cost of running the and considered that the members must bo.-unanimous or the ctier-tHu otherwise they Should leave" it alone. f Mr Ma}ono said it would be absurd to.throw/the gymkhana open ,to members. When members joined the Association, they were given a ticket'of admittance to the Annual Show and certain privileges; there was no question of free admission to any other gathering. He thought they would be quite- justified in charging all and sundry. (Hear, hear.) They were going to throw heart and soul into the business, and were going to pay their money. With regard to a date for the meeting, ho considered Easter Monday eminently suitable. They should draw a large crowd, and make a lot of money. Several other members-spoke to the" motion the concensus of opinion being that tho profits should he ear-marked for tho enlargement of the stand, that members should pay admission, and that Easter Monday was a suitable date. This was embodied in a resolution and carried.

Mr Webb preferred the suggestion that a better scheme might be adopted with regard to members’ tickets being taken from them at the grandstand. Ho and other members as well liked to keep their membership tickets through the year. A member needed no gate' .pass at the stand enclosure; his ticket would admit him, and ho needed nothing to pass out. The “pass” system, he considered, had been inconvenient- at tho last show. Mi‘ Malone said that the whole subject, of, admission by ticket was capable of .revision, but wag not such a simple matter as it looked. They had a big membership and a small stand, and the present system was adopted with the view of preventing any abuse.

Mr J. B. Richards moved that the report and balance-shoot bo submitted to the general committee before being submitted to the annual meeting of members. It seemed to him that the general committee elected by the members for the purpose of directing the affairs of the Association, was delegating too much of its powers to the executive. He did not wish to insinuate that the executive committee could be improved in any way. The

thanks of tho general committee and of members generally were due to them. (Hear, hoar.) Cut the executive committee should submit to the general committee the result of the year’s working before sending the report out to members. It seemed ridiculous for a report.to lie submitted j to the members without the general icommittce being aware of its motives. 'They might not want to amend it, but they should review it. Mr -Thomas seconded the motion. There should be, in his opinion, no need to make it necessary for such a resolution to be passed. The President pointed out that the work of drafting the report was; as usual in such cases, left' in the hands of a small committee. If the general committee of forty members were going to draw it up, would they do it any better? It was quite likely that they would talk a lot and then frame up a report no better than that framed by men who were working for the benefit of the Association day and night the whole , year through-. Tho members had elected an auditor, and ho was their watch-dog, to see that the executive did not misapply the funds. Surely they had confidence in an auditor, whom they themselves elected. The executive, in adopting this course, had been actuated by the desire to save the general committee valuable time and inconvenience, not wishing to call them together unnecessarily. He himself was a busy man, and would very much like to he getting his hay in. Mr Richards know very well that the committee could not possibly go into tho balance-sheet fully in tho time that was at their disposal. Mr Dingle concluded his remarks with a reminder to the committee that the executive were busy men and were not paid for the work they put in. “If you give us £2O a year we might give you more time.” Mr Webb: “You couldn’t.” A Jong discussion, ensued, Mr Richards making it clear that he was not intending to reflect op tho executive and their work, Init his plea was that the executive committee should take the general committee more into their confidence. 'Later, Mr Richards announced that he would withdraw his motion. Programme (Gymkhana). 1. Hunter’s Competition (Maiden). 2. Hunter’s Competition (open). 3. Leaping Competition (steeplechase style). 4. Lady Hunter’s Competition. 5. High Jump. G. Pony Jumping, under 13 hands. 7. Pony Jumping, under 14.2 hands. 8. Driving Competition (gentlemen). 9. Driving Competition (ladies). 10 Motor-car driving. 11. Trotting event (maiden). 12. Trotting event (open). 13. Stockmen’s event. 14. Guessing Competition. 15. Bullock Riding Competition. Total price money, £53 18s 1 designation.Mr E. Jackson, the secretary, tendered Ibis resignation as follows: “I beg to tender my resignation as secretary of the Stratford A. and P. Association from Ist April, 1912, owing to the large increase in my business I am unable to devote that time required by thc\ Association to make the show the success we all wish it to be. Although I am severing my connection as secretary, I still hope to take a very life interest in tho affairs of the Association and in its advancement. I desire most sincerely to thank the .members of the general and executive committees and the members generally for their uniform kindness and consideration extended to me during my term of office,’! The President thought .that consideration of the matter might very .-well stand over since Mr Jackson’s term of office did' not expire till April Ist. Personally he was very sorry that the Association’s business was being moved Prom Messrs Jackson Bro.’s office. THE ANNUAL BALANCE-SHEET AND REPORT. A SUBSTANTIAL ADVANCE. The report and balance-sheet to he submitted to the annual general meeting of members of tho A. and P. Association on Saturday next are as follow ; i Gentlemen, —Your executive have pleasure in reporting that the annual show of 1911 was an unqualified, success and that the financial position of the Association is good. Although the balance-sheet .shows a not profit of only £137 7s, it will lie seen* from a perusal of the items of expenditure in the* balance-sheet that fairly heavy charges have had to bo met in the way of interest (£l6! 2s), depreciation (£74), payment off tho mortgage (£100)j while the prize money, for the recent show was increased by over £IOO. Subscriptions amounting approximately to £2OO are outstanding, and not shown on the balance-sheet. The actual profit made from the show is £527 9s 5:1. The membership of the association now stands at 875, an increase .of close on 200 during the past year. During 1911 considerable improvements have been effected on the show grounds notably the erection of forty bull and horse boxes, improved cattle accommodation, ploughing, levelling and sowing down in pasture, the greater part of the uncultivated area. Numerous other improvements of a minor character have also been carried out. In tho matter of improvements for the future your executive would recommend to the incoming committee tho erection of a people’s stand, feeling sure that such a structure would not only he appreciated by the public, hut would also be a source of considerable revenue to the Association. It is proposed to hold a horse jumping competition and sports, to bo called tho ‘Strafford A. and P. .Gymkhana,” to be held in the autumn. It is anticipated that such a fixture would result in a substantial

financial bonfit to your association. Your executive are confident of the continued successful growth ol tho Association, from year to year, and as an indication of the steadily growing popularity of our show it may be mentioned that the entries received for 1911 totalled 2250, an advance oft 900 over last year. Quite a number of letters have been received by your executive from, exhibitors expressing appreciation for the care of stock and general management, also expressing good wishes for continued success. We regret to have to report that Dir E. Jackson has, owing to press of his own business, tendered 'his resignation as secretary. Your executive desires to place on record its appreciation of Mr Jackson’s services, his courtesy at all times being unfailing. According to the rules of the association, it will be necessary to elect a president, four vice-presidents, and twenty members (out of forty) of the general committee. Tho vacancy created by Mr Jackson’s resignation will also be required to be filled. In conclusion, your executive desires to heartily thank all who assisted in many ways to make tho recent show a success, and would ask for the co-operation of the whole of tho members for tho successful carrying on of the association. —We arc, gentlemen, R. DINGLE (President)./

The balance-sheet is as follows: Profit and Loss Account. —To advertising and printing and stationery; £220 14s 7d ; cartage and railage, £l6 9g 9d; caretaker,' part salary, £3B 2s-; depreciation, £74; stamps and telegrams, £24 8s 3d ; insurance and public risk, £l7 3s 4d; interest, £164 2s; prize money, £503 ss; repairs and renewals, £2O ss; purchase of bullock, etc., £l3 Ss lid; catering, £80; general show expenses (including judges’ expenses, gatekeepers, etc.), £147 Ss lid; secretary’s salary and commission, £120; sundry exponses, £25 12s 9d; balance, £527 9s sd; total, £1992 9s lid.

By balance from 1910 adjustment account, £390 2s sd; sale of catalogues and advertising, £59 13s; donations, £167 14s; guessing .competitions, £44 Is; side-sbows and space, £3l 3s; gate receipts, £2ll 12s sd; sale of privileges, £65 4s 9d; sale of bullock, etc., £l7 11s 7d; rent, £27 11s; .subscriptions, £663 18s 6d ; football clubs, hire of ground, £l6 17s 9d; entry fees, £266 7s 6d; protest foe,' 10s; total, £1992 9s lid.

Liabilities.—H. W. Hnggett’s estate) £lll4 14s lOd; sundry creditors, £173; National Bank, overdraft and unprosented cheques, £1770 14s 3d; National Bank, .accrued interest, £2O 13s; balance 1910 (adjustment account £390 2s sd), £527 9s sd; total, £3611 Is 6d ■ ' Assets. —Land, ££2olo 9s 8d ; grandstand (£7OO less depreciation), £682; produce shed (£250, less depreciation), £24.1 ; horse and bull boxes, £200; pens (£3OO, less depreciation), £270; plant and general (£205 Us 7d, less depreciation), £lB5 11s 7d; office furniture, £7 > 3s; sundry debtors, £5; petty cash in hand, £6 17s 3d; total, £3611 is 6d. y