TARANAKI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 86, 31 March 1908, Page 3

TARANAKI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Tho adjourned annual meeting of the Taranaki Agricultural Society was held last night. Despite unpleasant weather, about thirty members attended. The president, Mr. Newton King, presided. Apologies for absence were received

from Messrs. A. H. IlalcDinbe, A. J. Luxton, 11. T. J oil, W. Thomason, J. Carey, E. Elliot, F. Obeli, (I. Bishop, 11. Linn, ('. V. stead, F. W. Fagan, and G. V. Tate.

The report, as already published, uasubiuitted by the president, and the balance-sheet by Mr. E. P. Webster, the secretary. In moving their adoption, the presid-

ent said the Society had not now to make such a large outlay on yards and conveniences. Great improvements had been effected in the last few years, and these had been very favorably commented upon by judges and other visitors. The membership had increased in the last few years from 70 to 3:12, and he hoped that next year would pass the 400 mark. Mr. S. Smith seconded- lie referred to tho fact that £4O was set down as unpaid subscriptions, and he thought that no member should be entitled to

the privileges until his subscription had been paid. He computed that there was really CDO outstanding. The president said that the Society was not rich onough to be too stringent. The secretary had told him that very few of the ttnfinnneial members had availed themselves of the privileges. The secretary had also told him tliat this C4O was "good,'' and of it £2O had

already come ill. Mr. Smith thought there could be no harm in writing to members and informing them their subscriptions were due. When the money was paid the tickets should be issued—not before. Mr. Webster said there were 420 on the roll, and 332 had paid. Of the DO that were left lie had estimated only 40 as being good, for he had not wished to unduly bolster up the assets. Mr. 11. Okev, M P., mentioned that the lion. It. McNab luid got a Bill through lust session of Parliament giving a

southern agricultural society power to sell its land and buy other lands. lie thought a Bill should be introduced to enable this Society to deal with St. Germain's Square, a small section of town land in New Plymouth unsuitable

for the Society's purposesMr. A. Morton, the Society's delegate to the last Agricultural Societies' Conference, said ho had brought this mat-

£er up, as applying to all agricultural societies, and it had been warmly supported. The Secretary for Agriculture, who was in the room at the time, said

the same matter was embodied in a proposed amendment to the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act which he had been for years vainly endeavoring to have introduced. It would be belter to press the Government to introduce

that amendment than for the .Society to go to the expense of introducing a private Bill.

The report and Uilawe sheet were adopted, and Messrs. Ambury. Ti*eh. Okey, and Morton were appointed a committee, with power to act, in connection with St. (jlermain's Square.

Mr. Arthur Cliff brought before the' notice of the meeting that the Railway Department had refused to allow the usual concessions on the return of ex-

hibits from the supplementary show, contending that it was not a show at all.—The matter was referred to Mr. Okey, M.P., to interview the railway authorities with a view to securing flic usual refund.

Mr. Rossiter asked if anything could be done to improve the entire horse parade. The last parade was, lie thought, hardly up to the requirements of the district. It should be borne in mind that horse-breeding was very important to the farmer. —Referred to the committee for their consideration. ELECTION OF OFFICE!!*.

Mr. Newton King declined Humiliation as president, on the grounds that all liispare time would be taken up with harbor matters.

Mr. S. Smith proposed Mr. Walter Ambury, mentioning his many years of active work for the Society. Mr. E. Griffiths seconded, and the mo-

tion was carried. Mr. Ambury returned thanks for the honor conferred. He had done his best for a little while past to get interest hroused, and hu had, he thought, done some little good. The hard work of the past few years had "made the show," which was now a credit to the district.

He urged members to take a live interest in the Society. By this ho thought the show could be made one of the best, if not one of the largest, iu the Douiin-

ion. Vice-president*.—Mr. H. Okey, -M P) declined nomination. The following were elected; Messrs. \V. liirdling (Waitara). Jas. Burgess (Warea), A. Morton (Ej;mont Village), and F. Watson (Xew Plymouth). There were nominated for the committee: Messrs A. Cliff, K. flrnlltlLs, J. (Jonnett. S. Smith, X- Hill. ! J. 1!. Hill, A. 11. Street, J. 11. Street, W. Stanley, H. Linn, li. Elliot. C. V. Stead, H. King, 11. Okey, \V. G. ilalone, F W. Fagan, 0. W. Sole, Sim-Hip, F. \V. Fagan, J. J. Elwin, A. 11. Wood, Li. Tisch, Fred. Cornwall. A proposal to elect the first fifteen nominated and to recommend the committee to elect the remainder, was lost, and a ballot was taken, the following being elected: Messrs. A. Cliff, J- S. Connott, S. .1. Smith, X. Hill, J. E. Hill, \V. Stanley, ,1. H. Strct, A. H. Street, H. Linn. K. Elliot, C. V. Stead, A. .N. Mills, U. Okey, 11. King, and F. J. Cornwall. Mr X. 0. Kelsey was elected auditor. Votes of thanks were accorded to the outgoing officers, the Taranaki Jockey Club, Captain Young, and the press. Mr. Ambury invited all members to let the committee liave any suggestions they might have for the improvement of the show.

Mr. Okey proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. King, who had been president for many years. He also moved that Mr. King be elected patron to the Society. Mr. Weston seconded. Mr. King, in returning thanks, said he regretted having to retire from the active list, but he hoped to return to it at no great date.