Taranaki Agricultural Society.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 65, 21 March 1904, Page 4

Taranaki Agricultural Society.

> ADJOURXEI) ANNUAL MEETIXU. REVIVAL OF INTEREST. Tho adjourned annual meeting (if " members of the Taranaki A. ami I'. ; Society was held in the Town Hall f on Saturday. There was a good s. attendance, consequent on the fact E that the farmers and other person!: ? interested liad been invited to i>u present. The President, Mr Newton King, was in the chair. Tho President read the balancesheet of last year's operations. The assets showed a balance of £l6lß 13s 2d over liabilities. The balance-sheet was aa follows : Bcceipts.—Balance £127 'Js SKI ; subscriptions and donations, <CI-'J 7s ; entries, £BB ; gates, £9O Is t'tl ; rights of booths, etc., £8 : special donation "Budget" farm prize £'lo ; £6 9s 6d ; balance down £4 Is lOd ; total £393 'Js 7d. Expenditure.—By medals and prizes, £249 12s 3d ; show expenses, £IOB 3s Id; secretary, £2B 7s; rates, £6 6s 3d; costs £1 Is ; total £393 9s 7d. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

In the statement of accounts just read to us by the secretary there is little calling for special observation. The figures as nearly as possible coincide with those of the previous year* Unfortunately the day oi the show was not an inviting one as far as weather was concerned, and consequently the income from gate monies was far less than otherwise it might have been.

You will have noticed that for the first time we take in as an asset of the society the St. Germain's Square at £ISOO. During the year, our solicitgrs, Messrs Govett and Quilliam, succeeded in obtaining the necessary certificate of title to this land in the name of the society, and under a recent Act of Parliament, and subject to the consent of threequarters of the total number of paying members, it is possible for the society by a system of mortgage to raise funds which could be invested in permanent grounds and erections suitable for show purposes. During the past year the farm prize so liberally donated by the proprietor of the Budget was competed for and paid over to those awarded the prizes by Mr Foreman. The society's best thanks are due to that gentleman for the service iic rendered us in acting in that capacity. H is more than desirable that this farm prize should again be forthcoming for competition this year, and I would suggest to you that perhaps if a circular letter were addressed to the various dairy factories in our immediate provincial district, a fund might be forthcoming for that purpose, and it is more than likely that the competition would be more keen on this occasion.

It has frequently been a matter of consideration whether this society should not amalgamate with that oi Ilawera, shows being held alternately at each ceutre. The time possibly is ripe to again approach the Kgiuont society on the point. It might be an instruction from the society to tile incoming committee that during the month of November next. they employ some suitable man to visit the various farms in the district, and obtain the concent of owners to exhibit, collecting .the necessary entries and enrolling new members. It is desirable that a free discussion of the whole surroundings of the society, its failures, and their possible causes and remedies, should take place, and in order that this may be done with perfect freedom, Mr Kelsey, the present secretary, nas notified that he places his resignation in your hands, as it may prove that a different system in this matter, or new blood, may remedy existing defects. The Chairman moved the adoption ©i the report and balance-sheet. Mr King said that he thought that Jthe sections in St. Germain's Squaro should be sold to provide new and suitable show grounds. He regretted that some people had prophesied the death of the society, despite its now prosperous position, after nearly forty years' standing, Mr H. Okey seconded, but thought it almost impossible to derive any revenue from St. Germain's Square, as it could not be dealt with except by resolution of three-fourths of tlie members.

Mr J. C. Davies, who was secretary in tho early days, said that St. Germain's Square was not a convertible asset. He related an incident in the years gone by, when a movement had taken place to amalgamate with Hawera, shows to be held alternatively at liawera and New Plymouth. The ballot gave Kew Plymouth the lirst. show, and Hawera would go no further with the arrangements. Mr O. Samuel, at tho invitation of the Chairman, stated that St. Germain's Square of 1 acre 2 roods 30 perches was vested in the society, but as Mr Okey had stated, there were difliculties in the way of using tho land. He went on to* say that it would be most deplorable and highly discreditable that the society should cease operations even temporarily. He would not deprecate the efforts of past officials, bvi would welcome a change in management. He thought there should "be a secretary conversant with agricultural matters, as in the case of the Jockey Club. The olljce needed special qualifications, special energy, and special popularity. The secretary needed to be more than an accountant or a literary man, and must look on the society's work us a work of love. The literary abilities of a nian wore not paramount in tho qualities of a secretary, lie should be well paid, too. Another point. It seemed unsatisfactory to have buildings and fixtures on the present grounds. The society should have its own grounds and its own buildings. St. Germain's Sqjiaru .was not suitable, and ought also to be vested in the l/orough as a recreation resorve for that portion of .New Plymouth. He suggested that some scheme should lie devised by which an exchange might be arranged. The Taranaki Jockev Club now had rights on property on hod, Bides of the Avenue lioad, butonlv used one portion of it—on one side of the road. This unused por.tio:! Jinght be vested in the Agricultui-i oociety, as its permanent home Zi,"! " 11S scction ""ght not be needed, but the balance could be 'V he Council in exThpTm I St " Germain 'e Square. The one objection was that vhe ground was distant from tho ruiif ay V, su SS<-'sted that tho Poultry Society and Horticultural Society might be Incorporated in the Agricultural Society, making Bhows very much more attractive, an conducing to the success of the Society. They n!UOt „ <jt nllow ())is feocicty to die or to languish, anil He would move "that a commTttce be appointed to consider the position of the society and its necessities, and to endeavour to devise some scheme by which the society may be placed onn better basis, and its main object—that of promoting the prosperity of tho farmers of the districtattained, and that mea'nwhiie this Meeting be adjourned until a date to be fixed by tho committee." He th-ought that this committee should recommend generally 0 n the conduct of the society. The report and balance-sheet were adopter!, and Mr Samuel's motion then came up for discussion. Mr K. Cock seconded, and in speaking to the motion iii-tanc..,i the success of the Wangunui Show, which a few years- ago had been j (1 „ languishing' condition, but now, owing to energy being expended in the right directions, was in a floun'sliin" condition. Sinxial attention v, anow being gjvtu to homo industries Cookery, sewing, schoolwork, etc. and these wore shown jn J ball built with money subscrJ??ert bv ft large influx of members secured bv an energetic and well-paid secretary m Okey *ud that the main thing secure the farmers' interest. Sg*s£S!&£ a tO i be 1000 members.

slvould not hold a show for a few years. but should purchase some mirt-'litvtl Shorthorn bulls in the interests of farmers. The society miu.h\ also subsidise horse-owners to \iavel draught stallions in Iho district. Jt was deplorable lhai llio Shorthorns, the best beefproducers, wort* not being kept up to the standard. Let them get a members- list 01 a thousand, and use . their elTurts in the direction indicated. i The President said that this would l)e for the committee to consider. .Mr Samuel said it would be wrong to so narrow the efforts of the society.

Mr J. C. George, after referring to the encouraging attendance, said he had been of opinion that interest had waneu to such an extent tliat the society was languishing, and instead uf thousands of members there were only a hundred or so. He thought the attendance that day hhuv.ed a reviwtl uf interest, and la* hoped that this would continue, and trusted that the shows would go on prospering. lie favoured working somewhat on the lines of the A\anganui Society. At any rate, it would ( bo -deplorable to allow the society to die out.

Hi- G. V. Tate, who with Mr Honeyiield (also present) had been a member since its inception, regretted that things had. conic to this pass that the townspeople comprised the bulk of the membership. Why at Palmerston there were over 3 200 members, and this showed that there was not the "go" in this district that was necessary in running agricultural shows. Dairying undoubtedly militated against the success of the show, but surely dairy farmers could become members. He would like to see the show extend over two dajs. Breeders and exhibitors would not come for one day's show. lie agreed with Mr Okey in the matter of importing good blood. Fanners here v,ould use any kind of animal. He referred to the fact, that the services of the Government bull stationed at Inglewood had not been taken advantage of. Mr Colson spoke of the wretched facilities offered. A one-day's show meant hurry and bustle ail day on the part of exhibitors. Mr W. Ambury wrote apologising for his unavoidable absence, and suggesting improvements, including the appointment of an active assistant secretary to canvass for members.

Mr Davics supported the. motion. Mr Hill said that a big membership could be obtained if farmers were approached. The President agreed with the motion to appoint a committee, and thought this the only course open. Mr Foreman said that the society nettled greater iinancial support. The inclusion of poultry and farm and ganlen produce meant heavy expenditure in buildings and equipments.

The motion was carried unanimously. and Uie following committee was set up : —Country : Messrs If. Okey, (J. V, Tale, Foreman. F. M. Mills, ii. King, .J. S. Council, •J. Hill. C. Wells, Stanley, Colson, 1 loneyfield, C. W. Steati. Town : -Messrs Newton King, Oliver Samuel, K. Cock, J. C. George, S. U'. Shaw, W. L. Xewmau, S, Teed, and \Y. Ambury. The quorum was Jixed at ten.

'lbis concluded the business oi the general meeting. Ihe committee met subsequently, ami appointed Mr Samuel chairman ami Mr J. C. George secretary.

After some discussion the following ,sub-committee was set up to gather information To submit to a meeting of the general committee mi April .I*' next : Messrs Okey, Tat*-, Mills, ieul. J. S. Comieli, New (.on King, and Henry King. I'his concluded the business.