CROWD LOOKS FOR EXCITEMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 67, 10 June 1927, Page 11

CROWD LOOKS FOR EXCITEMENT

A. AND P. MEETING A RECORD ATTENDANCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PACKED fjpHERE was an air of excitement about the genera! meeting of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day. Crowds of members packed the corridors and rooms adjoining the Hall of Commerce in High Street, where the first meeting was held to consider alterations to rooms. Every door was blocked, the secretary’s office was packed and it was impossible to gain admittance to the room. As a result of the great interest and attendance the meeting was adjourned to the Chamber of Commerce in Swanson Street, and in a few minutes the hall was filled to the doors, many members having to stand along the rear of the hall. Most of the interest centred round the action of the association in dispensing with the services of the secretary, Mr. A. D. Stanley, and the appointment of Mr. W. F. O’Donell in his place. FIREWORKS EXPECTED The election of the presidency was also expected to produce fireworks. A list of questions had been prepared by those opposing the existing regime. Mr. W. W. Massey presided over the big gathering and remarked that ho was pleased at its size, stating that until a few months ago such an interest had not been taken in the association. He formally moved the adoption of the balance sheet. There was a host of seconders. Mr. A. J. Stratford, who had been proposed for the presidency, said that at the eleventh hour he considered that he could not turn cocktail and was there for his rights. He was not there to fight anyone’s battles but to do his duty by the association if he were elected to the great honour of the presidency. Mr. Massey (greeted with cheers): I had no intention of standing for election again, but when tw r o men refused to step higher I had to alter my decision. During the last two years we have made the standards of the association higher, and during my term of office I have worked for one thing alone —the interests of the association. FINANCIAL MEMBERS? In reply to a question, Mr. Stanley said that to his knowledge every member of the association was financial. One member in the front row: You can have my paper, I am not financial. The question of whether all those in the hall were members of the association was raised by a man in the rear of the hall, but Mr. Stanley said that it was impossible for him to know everyone. During the election of the president, Mr. F. H. Hill was elected to the chair. He asked any man in the room who was not a, member not to vote. Mr. Hill’s announcement that Mr. W. W. Massey had been elected president of the association was greeted by cheers and applause, which lasted for some time. „ ~ In returning thanks, Mr. Massey said that as far as he was concerned there had never been any ill-feeling. Messrs. S. Hamlin and G. R. Hutchinson were re-elected vice-presi-dents. A list of nominations for the committee was read by a member. Mr. W. J. Lopdell: ‘That's only the blue ticket, Mr. Chairman. I don’t know why the ‘blue birds’ have included some of our best men on it. He then proceeded to read out the names of those nominated on a white ticket. (Proceeding.)