STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 18 December 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATE.

——— _——— i 1 A well attended meeting of the ; General Committee of the above As i sociation was held in the elui) room | on Saturday afternoon. The meeting : was presided over by Mr K. Jackson ’ (president) who read the following ieport on the recent Show : Your Executive have pleasure ; n reporting on the result of the recent show and to congratulate members on the success achieved. Considering that the fanning community is .suffering probably more than any other class through the depletion of its men owing to the war, the number and quality of stock on exhibition must be considered most satisfactory. The special effort made by farmon in exhibiting .their stock, and the whole hearted support accorded the show by the public generally, is much appreciated by your Executive. The roofing in of the bull pens, a (( j erection of stalls for tL. (!i , nu^ht horse section was, v f. lVourn ,' )iv (jOlllim Ilt( ( {j s S pl t iH_ J U SU /jply of green feed provided. Executive regret that as in prer vinos years the public stand has been Vi-ry poorly patronised, showing less than 1 per cent, on the cost of erection, we therefore recommend that it he converted into a . produce shed, luncheon and tea room, cost of same would be approximately £l5O. The present produce shed would then he available for the dog section, while it would mean a saving of over

£‘2o hire for tents, labor, etc. From a financial aspect the results show a considerable - advance on last year’s returns. The takings for gates, sideshows, etc., show an increase of approximately £.lO. This must he considered very satisfactory as over 240 new members have been elected since the annual meeting. Subscriptions from members to date show an increase of a hundred pounds more than was received during the whole of last year. As it is impossible to individualise where so many rendered such valuable assistance the Executive on behalf of the Association take this opportunity to' express to all those who in any way helped to make this year’s show the success it undoubtedly was, their best thanks and appreciation for same. In conclusion the Executive deplore' the loss of many valued members by death, at the Front or otherwise, and would extend to bereaved ones the deep sympathy of the Association. lit moving the adoption of the report the President stated that the results, and the business-like manlier in which the show had been run, reflected the greatest possible credit on those responsible for the success achieved. The results compared more than favorably with the Palmerston and other shows he had virile 1, ami he could not speak too highly of the enthusiastic manner in which members and committeemen had worked during the past few months. The only way to successfully run a show was by co-operation amongst members. The side-show committee under i Mr Morison had been responsible, lor a large increase in receipts tips year and were specially deserving of the thanks of members. He desired to lay special stress on tin? necessity tor doing something to makefile people's stand a hotter paying proposition than at present. ft seemed absurd that a building that had cost some ToOO to erect should only produce £(3 per annum, or about 1 per cent. The special thanks of tin* Association was due to Messrs ( amphcll Jackson and Dingle for tin* time and trouble they had .taken in clearing up the grounds since the completion ol the show. The Secretary was also deserving of great praise for the

i care taken in making arrangements, : and the carrying out of all the - smaller details. ; Air Peterson seconded the adoption Jof the report, and congratulated 1 members on the undoubted progress | tin* Association was making. MEMBERS’ COMMENT. J Mr J. H. Richards, in speaking to . the motion, referred to two matters in the report as worthy of comment. Firstly, there was the ivlmviicc to shortage of labor created by the war bearing harder on the farming community than any other. While neither affirming nor denying statement, he thought it would have been better left unsaid. At the present time we were all suffering mole or less over tin* labor problem through the war, hut it was no use complaining about undue hardship in any one special direction. Secondly, he had wished to touch on the suggested doing away with the people’s stand. La;;ti year there hud been a * ot or talk about shifting it, hut Hie project was abandoned on account of the expense, which was estimated at something over £IOO. Now tin* suggestion was to convert it into a produce shed and refreshment booth at a suggested cost of about Cl JO. Before lit l voted on the question lie would like some statement, of the financial position of the Association. How were the funds after clearing up all expenses in connection with the show? Whav were the prospects for the coming twelve months? He would like to see the matter of finance carefully thought out before any risks wen* taken. He desired to congratulate members on the undoubted success of the show. Air Perry referred to the great inconvenience caused by the lack .of accommodation in connection with the luncheon room and booths. The stand should he converted as suggested, as at present it was quite usc- ' less, and the present booth would make au excellent dog house.

Air Dingle opined that the question of finance was the principal trouble, and Air Perry was not conversant with the matter from that point. A committee, to consist of members of the Executive, should beset ii]) to go into the question of converting the stand into something I more* useful. He thought the Association could easily raise £2OO or £250 by £5 debentures as lie know members would take them up, and this would enable any necessary work to he done. Mr Porritt thought the stand was at present in the wrong place, hut it should ho moved to a more useful position, whe/e the smiting accommodation could he used. Mr Walter supported the last

speaker, and congratulated members . on the great success ol the recent , show, which was largely attributable t to the strenuous work of the President. , Other speakers were Messrs C. Jackson and Silk. I he later -gentle I man suggested that the stand should , he raised, and the undeerneath portion used for produce stalls and refreshment booths. Air R. McK. Aiorison supported Air Dingle’s proposal re a committee to submit a report, and considered . that luncheon rooms and extra booths , were very necessary. • After .Messrs Shutter, Petersen and • others had spoken, Mr Jackson rei plied to the various suggestions made 1 by the speakers. The reference to . shortage, of labor criticised by Air . H/ichards was meant to refer to the troubles of stock exhibitors, who in previous wars had their sons at | home to help, whereas they wen 1 now nearly all away at the front. ) He hoped that during tin* coining r year the members would take time , by the forelock and make steady pro- > gress. so that when next show tinn

came round there would not lie just a two months’ scramble to get things ready at the last minute. Air Silk s suggestion of raising the stand wab not practicable. Tim underneath portion would be too daik. m matter had been reported on by Mr If non, builder, whose plans were on the table. If the committee got to work early as he suggested, he felt certain that next year’s show would ho even mure successful than the

past Olio. 'Tim motion before the meeting was then unanimously adopted, the clause referring to the removal of the stand h.dug deleted, pending a report/ irom the commit toe to be set up. On the motion of Mr Petersen, seconded by Mr Richards, it was resolved that a commitee he appointed consisting of Executive members to devise ways and means of converting the people’s stand uuo a more paying proposition, the committee to report to next meeting.

APPRECIATION. a letter was read- from Mr A. -T. Gallichan, of “leihitahuna, * M merston North, conveying thanks and appreciation to the Show ollicials u»r the attention and courtesy shown outing his visit to Stratford. Ho considered that the Show, taken as a whole, was one of the best comluctci lie had over exhibited at, but he would suggest more water troughs in Hic cattle paddocks. He had noted with pleasure that the Stationuiaster Had provided clean trucks for returning stock to senders. This experience was somewhat unique, and ne could not pass it without appreciative comment. He extended a hearty invitation to any members to visit his model dairy farm at Palmerston North, and would be pleased to meet a party with ears at any time upon being advised.—iho letter was received with applause.

general. Mr C. Jackson moved, and Mr Hit seconded, that it be a recommendation to the Executive to lay down accessary water troughs as suggested.—Carrico. Mr Dingle referred to -Mr Styles ol New Plymouth, who had resigned Horn the executive, and moved that Mr bKelleher he elected to the vacancy. This was seconded by Mr Shottei, who considered Air Kelleher was a good man for the position. Mr Kelleher was declared duly elected. Mr J. B. Richards moved, and Mr C. Jackson seconded quo forma, that The Hon. Minister for Agriculture ho urged to make public, by authoritative advertisement, the requirements of the Government in respect to the commandeering of wool, and to make clear what action wool-growers were required to take to dispose of their clips, and that such authoritative advertisement make clear what action woolgrowers who have sold privately Arnold take. Speaking to his motion, Mr Richards said that at pres at the position was most unsatislactuj, am pending some definite statement Irom the Minister, the wool-growers were j,. a state of helpless confusion. It vas decided that joint representation should bo made hv the Chain!,et of Commerce and hte A. and P. Association . , , Mr Petersen made a suggestion tlmt improvements should he made to the cattle pens by the erection of. sign posts or numbers to denote wlieie tn different classes were to be stalled. 1 he motion was supported by Mr C. Jackson, and recommended to the attention of the Committee.