A. & P. ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 456, 14 June 1937, Page 4

A. & P. ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS ELECTED Twenty-Seventh Annual Meeting I The twenty-sevenlth annual meeting of the Stratford Agricultural andi ; Pastoral Association was held on SatI urday afternoon. Mr. A. H. R. Amess presided over a good attendance of I members. ! Moving the adoption of the annual report (already published l ) Mr. Amess said that the most outstanding features of the report were that two shows had been held during the

year and that .a financial loss had resulted The Autumn show had been a very interesting experiment, although it was ndt a financial success. Side shows were not present and the attendance of the public was affected. Continuing Mr. Amess. s.aid that it was impossible to run the Association without a fairly large membership list. It was realised! now that the Association could not rely on the gate takings and the earnings from the show Ito finance the operations of the association. Mr J. Stewart considered that the association had been lax in allowing county council rates 'to accumulate. Mr. Amess explained that the position wps really due to a misunderstanding on the part of the tenant. For some years the tenant had paid I the rates until he found that he was not liable. Consequently the association had to refund the amount paid by the tenant. On the mo rT .in of Mr. Stewart the executive was recommended to build more horse boxes or obtain additional accommodation. Officers were elected as follow: President, Mr. A. H. R. Amess; vicepresidents, Messrs W. A. Betts, J.

Parish, J. Shotter; treasurer, Mr. H T. Cooper; hon. solicitor, Mr. Percy Thomson; auditor, Mr. G. A. Carter; general commf.ttee, Messrs. E. R Wells, M. G. Trotter, L> K. Tarrant, C. Clemow, J. Wood, J. Stewart, D. O'Sullivan, A. H. Bowen, H. C. Johnson, W. Johnson, S. Gadsby, M. Leper, J. Crowe, A. D. Walker, V. J. Henderson, F. Kirkwood W. Pettigrew, D. G. Sherson, A. O’Sullivan, L. Marfell. A resolution was passed supporting the formation and metalling of portion of the Esk Rond as outlined in a letter from Mr. Percy Thomson, president of the Stratford Aero Club. Autumn Show. Moving, in accordance with notics given, a motion that future annual shows he held in the Autumn, Mr. Clemow said he had no apology* to make for bringing , the matter* up. Within the last few years, conditions in town and country had changed . considerably, Wi.4i shorter working | hours firms found it difficult at the end of the year to let th-eir employees away. The farmers were busily eneged in seasonal work and it was

difficult to afford 'the time to prepare animal;, and attend the show. In ,he Autumn farmers had more leisure there was plenty of feed, and stock were in splendid condition. There was no doubt, said Mt. Clemow, that the infantile paralysis epidemic had had an adverse effect on the Autumn show. Mr. Kaye in seconding the motion, sa:d he was still firmly of the opinion that the annual show should be held in the Autumn. It was a mistake to hold the Itwo shows in the year and the venture had never been properly tried out. To most townspeople one show was very much like another and ; it was very difficult Ito arouse euthu i siasm twice during the one year. At the Spring show big prize money had been given, which had attract:d en. tries from all over the North Island, , but there had been no such inducei ment a.t the Autumn show. Conclud- ■ ing, Mr. Kaye said the Autumn show . had not had a fair trial. | Mr Bettis said the Spring was the I only time at which the support oi ■ the public could be secured. Whib' the associations object was to en | courage the breeding of shock the i financial aspect had to be considered', jlt was definitely, dependent on the

j public and entertainment had to be ; provided to attract their support. Al i the Autumn show there were few , trade exhibits and few side-shows, j Mr. Amess said he did not want j to see any split over the question. He i hoped l ithat the question would be discussed in a friendly way and that the decision of ithe majority would be supported. “You cannot run a show with no circuit, no people and no money, said Mr. Amess. “In five or six years you might educate ithe people to en I Autumn show, but by that time your I money will be gone and you will | have a mortgage.” i The Spring was the tim? to show I machinery and cars, said Mr. Peick. I After Mr. Clemow had replied the mcition was put to the meeting, and w,-s declared lost on a show of hands Mr. Bailey referred to the splendid service of the secretary, Mr. W

F. Ross, and it was recommended that his salary be reviewed by the executive with a view to increasing it it Possible. Messrs Ennis Bros, and T. Fdyday were elected new members. Mr. Amess paid tribute to the assistance given by the kidiev during the year.