AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 368, 20 April 1910, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAju MEETING. The annual meeting of members of .the Agricultural Society was held on Monday night in the Town Hall. There was a fair attendance of members, considering the unfavorable weather. Mr. W. Ambury, the president, was in the chair. Several apologies for absence were received.

The annual 'balance-sheet, particulars of which were published in these columns a few days ago, was presented by the secretary, Mr. E. P. Webster. THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT. Mr. Ambury submitted his annual report ias follows, and moved its adoption:— On this the second occasion it has been my privilege to present the annual report, and I have to congratulate the Society upon another year's successful work. Through the untiring energy of the secretary and the continuous efforts of the committee (many of whom have given much time and thought to the Society's interests), the show held in December last was pronounced by judges and the public to have been the best in the history of the Society, and having been favored with fine weather, a large and appreciative assemblage of visitors from all parts of the province was present. The number of exhibits largely exceeded those of the previous year, while the quality and condition of stock showed a very marked improvement, and in many cases, especially of young cattle, competition was exceedingly keen. The grand parade of prize-winning stock which graced the ring on the People's Day demonstrated the quality and quantity of the exhibits, and called forth very marKed appreciation and flattering compliments from the large assemblage. A very gratifying feature of the last show was the numerous new competitors from various parts of the province, and the continued patronage of breeders from long distances, including the Manawatu and Wairarapa, which is highly encouraging to the committee. The increased attention that is being given by settlers to the selection and improvement of their herds must have a beneficial effect upon the future productions of the district and bring the Society's fixture into the front rank of the Dominion's exhibitions.

In connection with the show, tile* committee took in band a milting and testing competition.) made possible through the generous- offers of members of the Society to provide paddocks and appliances. 'Properties were offered by •Mrs. Street, Messrs Barnitt, Smith, Pagan, and Sole Bros. Those of Messrs; Smith and Pagan were selected as 'be-! ing very suitable. The .paddocks were placed at the disposal of the Society for a month prior to the commencement and during the competition without cost to the Society. Mr. Smith also undertook the milking (without cost), which was carried out to the entire satisfaction of the stewards in charge, Messrs Wood and H. King, who also supervised the testing. The Society's best thanks are due to these gentlemen. Thirteen cows were entered and twelve came up ifor the contest, the result of which has been published. It is hoped that a large increase in the numbers and variety of breeds will compete at the next contest.

The Society were again exceedingly fortuna'te in being able to secure at a very trifling cost to the Society some of the most competent judges in the Dominion. Many of these gentlemen left their farms at a busy time, and at great inconvenience to themselves, and travelled long distances to oblige us, and! almost without exception gave entire satisfaction to competitors and the public. The very best thanks of the Society should be accorded them. | On referring to the balance-sheet, it will be seen that as the result of another year's work, the Bank overdraft that a year ago stood at £144 I6s lOd and two years ago at £282 10s ,10d, has now been reduced to the trifling 6Um of £2O 5s sd. It is quite obvious that the whole amount would have been wiped off but for two reasons—first, that very considerable concessions were made this year to members, viz., one member's ticket to admit a member, two ladies, and the whole of a member's family under 15 3'ears of age to all the privileges on 'both days. The other important factor was the holding of the Waitara race 3on the People's Day. This latter no doubt proved as detrimental to 'the races as to the show, but though our committee fixed the show dates several months ahead, and communicated several times with the Waitara Racing Club with a view to avoid clashing, the races were held to the detriment of both. I think the Racing Club will see the wisdom of avoiding a similar occurrence in future.

It mill he seen that the Society paid out more prize money than in any previous year, and, in comparison, you will 6ee that the show was worked on the most economical lines possible, many of the committee giving their own labor at working bees on the grounds previous to the show, thereby saving many pounds to the Society. I hope members of the Society whose subscriptions are still outstanding will show their appreciation of the committee's efforts by up promptly. To obviate the confusion and risk to the .public at future shows the committee is arranging for an entrance on the Avenue road frontage for all exhibits, so that the •main entrances may be entirely for the public, and exhibits will always be available when the classes are called j into the ring. I Reference was made in my last re-i port to the Society's property in St. Germaiii Square. During the last session of Parliament a. Bill was prepared and placed in the hands of Mr. Okey, M.P., and the Hon. O. Samuel, M.L.C., who piloted it through the Legislature, and we arc now in the position to lease for 21 years, with perpetual right of renewal, all buildings and improvements j being protected, and your committee apI pointed to deai with the property now recommend that a lease be prepared on similar linos to that adopted by the School Commissioners. I think they should how be empowered to put the leases on the market at a favorable opportunity. Another suggestion I made last year in reference to winter lectures, your committee found impossible to carry out, on account of the retrenchment scheme adopted by the Government, and the uncertainty of the movements of various officials and experts of the Department of Agriculture, whose services otherwise might have I been available. One lecture in the New , Plymouth Town Hall by Mr. Gillanders (late manager of the Moumahaki State Farm) on the '-Improvements to pasture lands" was well attended, and thel lecture well received. A further effort in this direction should be made duringi this winter. I We regret the action of the Stock De-, partment in removing Captain Young,| Government Veterinary Surgeon, from

our mi<tst, who by his lectures and experiments has helped the Society very ,much. The suggested ploughing competition fell through on account of the entire lack of interest on the part of likely competitors, the hunting field evidently offering the stronger attraction. I think many of the ploughman in the district, as a stimulus to neatness in their work, would do well to get a competition going and thereby encourage the young men to become proficient workmen.

Mr. E. Dockrill seconded. The 'biennial Conference of Agricultural Societies was held in July last. Mr. Bishop, a member of the committee, represented the Society and took part in the discussion of various subjects, reports of which can be had on application to the secretary. Your committee, as the result of suggestions made at the last annual meeting, considered the question of a winter show in 'Taranaki, to include farm, dairy and garden produce, farm competitions, home industries, school children's work, dairy machinery and utensils, and decided to hold a four days' show in New Plymouth, on June Bth, 9th, 10th and 11th next. Sub-committees were appointed to arrange for 'buildings and prepare a schedule. An approximate estimate of expenditure and income has been prepared, and everything is in readiness for issuing the schedule through the press, a .great portion of which has already gone forth through the local columns. It only needs now the energy and enthusiasm of the committee and every member of the Society to make the first winter show in Taranaki a credit to the district and a financial success.

The Society would again convey their very hearty thanks to the Taranaki Jockey Club for their generosity in granting the free use of their grounds,, buildings and grandstand for the spring show. The 'best thanks of the Society are also due to those who generously donated prizes for competition; also to the Press for their generous support in bringing before the public from time to time the objects and claims of the Society. I desire personally to thank the committee and the secretary for their untiring 'efforts during the year, also the public for their patronage. The outlook for the Dominion is very encouraging, and the Society possesses a good asset and small liability, a large number of enterprising exhibitors, some of the choicest stock in New Zealand, tmd a good working committee. 1 trust, therefore, the coming year .will see a continued and more vigorous march of progress than ever yet realised. Mr. C. V. Stead pointed out that although there were 445 members, only 335 paid their subscriptions. Doubtless many of the remainder had used their tickets and the privileges attached thereto.

Mr, Stanley Smith also commented on this, and iwas more convinced than ever that no tickets should be issued until the subscriptions were paid. He also drew attention to the fact that the membership list was smaller than in the .previous year. (After a short discussion, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. VOTES'OF THANES.

Upon the motion of the chairman, votes of thanks were accorded to all those mentioned in the report, to Mrs. S. J. Smith for courtesies and kindness to those conducting the milking contest, to the managers of factories who performed the testing in this connection, to the Press, and to all who had assisted towards the success of the recent show. Mr. Ambury suggested that the election of officers be postponed until June 21st, after the winter show, so that the officers and committee now in office would be able to carry through the first winter show to a successful issue. The suggestion was adopted. The matter of dealing with the Society's freehold in St. Germain's Square was left in the hands of the •'committee,