STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 41, 17 February 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Stratford A. and P. Association was held on Saturday afternoon, when some forty members attended. The President (Mr W. P. Kirkwood), presided. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) said he did not anticipate there would be violent criticism of either the report or the balance sheet, judging by the manner in which it was received by the general committee, when presented to them. However, if any member wished to criticise or ask questions, he would be only too pleased to hear these remarks. If ! they would look into the balance sheet, , he thought they would see that, so far ! as the finances were concerned, the Association was now om a very solid basis, more especially when it was realised that most of the initial heavy work, fertilization of the ground, and erection of buildings, had been accomplished. When they considered what the Association had done during the last three years, and the up-hill fight they had had, he thought it must be agreed on all hands that the Association was in a splendid position. Before the present Association was mooted, there were two very solid Associations in existence,and which had been in existence in Taranaki tor many years, yet the Stratford Association had more than held its own, and he might say that it was a real object lesson indeed as to what could be done in this direction. The balance sheet showed a profit of £415, but as far as this was concerned the profit was really greater, because to finance the stand it had been found necessary to take £2OO out of the general account. Of course that matter would be made good, and the money paid back to the general account as soon' as the complement of fifty life members was made up. The net return from the show was £315 15s. Mr Kirkwood went on to say that, when it was considered that they had had one very Avet day, the profit as shown Avas very satisfactory. In the matter of memidly, and the Association Avas noAV getidly, and the ssociation Avas iioav getting very close to the thousand mark, Avhich they had set some time ago. Although a fair number of resignations had been received, these being due to residents leaving the district, he did not think it Avas too optimistic to say there Avould be fifteen hundred three years. In this connection, he would say that the members Avere the backbone of the Association, and he sincerely hoped that no opportunity Avould be lost by members of the executive, and of the general committee, in getting neAV members. During the year, it Avould be seen from the balance sheet that the executive held thirty-six meetings, or very nearly a meeting a Aveek. As a matter of fact, there Avas a meeting every Aveek, Avlien the executive meetings and general committee meetings Avere added together. They Avould, therefore, sec that their executive had devoted a great deal of their time during the year to the Association’s interests. The executive had not lost sight of the fact that, as far as this Association Avas coqcerned, it had not been formed solely for the purpose of holding an annual slioav, and during the year, as far as finances Avould permit, projects in the interests of agriculture generally had been discussed and brought fonvard. That had been the policy AA’hich the executive had adopted, and he hoped that this Avould be their future policy. In conchision, Mr KirlcAvood thanked the members of the executive for their unfailing courtesy toAvards himself, as president and chairman, and for the great energy they had put into the Association, which had made the slioav a success. During the time Tie had been president, he realised that the whole working of this Association could not devolve on the president alone, and if he was not ably assisted by the general committee, it was quite impossible to make a success of the Asso-

I ciation ; it was really by the uliiteo action of the members that the Asso ciation was in such a good position to-day. Ko was, however, quite sun that the same support would be given to the incoming president as had been given to him. (Applause). Mr E. Jackson seconded the motion. In reply to questions the president said two hundred members’ subs were outstanding. The secretary from this source had recently collected £IOO. The item “plant and general, £250/ included various miscellaneous artic ks need iii connection with the show. Mr A. Coleman suggested that sep arete profit and loss accounts be kcp. for the gymkana and for the show. He thought the balance sheet shook show how mnefi was made from the show, how much from the gymkana ! and how much lost or made from othI er sources. i The president stated there woul; I be no difficulty in doing tins, though i: would entail extra work on the secretary. The matter would ho noted, and the executive would go into it. Election cf Officers. Tiie president (Mr W. P. Kirkwood; stated that he would not accept nomination for another term’s office a; president. He would prefer to follov. the custom set by Mr Dingle, am; would, if they so wished, take a seat on the executive. Mr Robert Masters declined nomination ,and Mr J. I). Healy, avlio, afi er some persuasion, consented to nomination, was declared duly elected. In thanking those present for tathonour done him, Mr Healy said to at it was a great honour to he attache.; to such a progressive institution a; : the Stratford A. and P. Association He trusted that the remarks made In the retiring president, that a presid ent could lie of very.little use to tin Association without the loyal co-opera tiou of members, would not be forgotten, and that the committee would givt him that,loyal support which they had given the first president (Mr Dingle' and then.the retiring president (Mr Kirkwood). He knew lie had a hard task in taking office after these twe gentlemen, but he would do his best. (Applause). Other officers elected were ;—Viccpresidents, Mayor of Strafford (Mr tV. P. Kirkwood), member for tin district (Mr J. 15. Hine, M.P.), ana Chairmen of Wbangamomona and Stratford County Councils (Messrs A Meredith and W. Hathaway); general oraniittec, Messrs E. Jackson. C. Jackson, A. Stewart, R. Mick. Morison, S. M. Porritt, R. Dingle, /J. B. Richards, E. Brocklehank, R. Masters, W. P. Kirkwood, E. Kolh h'er, J. Brake, J. Shotter, J. Linn. I), J. Malone, A. C. Walsh, J. T Belcher, E. T. B. Mellow, E. Tichbon. J. Hucker and J. Godkin. “Sottlcrs Up-in-Arms.” Mr Hucker brought up the mattes of the north train not stopping at the showgrounds. He said that the settlers were up-in-arms in the matter, and were throwing their tickets in in consequence. They objected to having to pass the grounds and then return at a cost of Is per head, a charg. 1 which farmers with large families could j not afford. He quite understood that the interests of local business men j might be affected, but he thought the I question should he faced and settled. Mr Coleman said that it shpuld be prssible for the train to be (stopped ; ai ingskle t.. 0 Asstci •.lien’s property, i and an entrance from that side, with 1 booking office attached, be made, i The Mayor seconded pro forma a j motion that it ho a recommendation to the executive to consider the cues- | tion, and said that tne matter had been fully discussed in the past. V ith- : out a proper siding being erected it was impossible to stop the train at the showgrounds, without danger to the public. A siding would cost £2OO, and the Association could not afford thus. He recognised, however, that the time would come when a siding would have to lie erected, not only for the u«e of passengers but for the convenient transport of stock, j The motion was carried, j At a subsequent meeting of the general commitee the following gentlemen were added to their number; IT. Abraham, E. A. Osmond, J. Stewart, A. David, W. H. Young, W. J. | Hamblyn, G. Sangster, F. E. Dobson,

I‘, Kirkwood, 'H. Good, C. S. ti. T, Tuks, E. Walts.r, D. Orr, ’U. Tcuigrew, L. iiauti, A. &auson, ~<• Jhristolfel, Jnr. The Gymkhana. 'i'ho president (Mr J. D. Healy) and Messrs E. Jackson, R. Dingle, R. ilas,crs, and W. P. Kirkwood were elected i committee tp draw up a programme .ad make the preliminary arrangcnents for the gymkhana.