Stratford News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 180, 29 January 1912, Page 3

Stratford News.

Stratford, Saturday. A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF GENERAL COMMITTEE. A meeting of the general committee of the Stratford A. and P. Association was held thi» afternoon. The chair was taken by the president, Mr. R. Dingle, and there were also present: Messrs. W> P- Kirkwood, T. Webb, Harkness, W. Linn, J. B. Richards, J. Thomas, J. D. Healy, Hugh Good, A. Stewart, D. J. Malone, S. M. Porritt, and H. T. Twiss. THE AUTUMN GYMKANA. The president announced that the principal business was to discuss the pro-j posal of the executive to hold some gathering, in , the autumn. He pointed out that the" three Taranaki shows at present were spring or summer shows, and there was no fixture of the kind in the autumn: It had been suggested that if the association held, a fixture, iu tho autumn the farmers would appreciate it, for "they would not he under the same necessity to leave early in the afternooa. There was, of course, the suggestion that the Taranaki Agricultural Society might pake its show an autumn fixture, in, which,case this association would greatly benefit, and it would not be fair to run any autumn fixture at Stratford to the detriment of the New Plymouth show, But this year the coast was apd he thought a sports meeting as sug : gested would prove enjoyable and projit-0-ble. The committee would be asked to decide whether or not members' tickets ghould admit them to this meeting if it V«re held. He was of opinion that if they refused to pay, for, admission the sports would not, he held; for they would not be profitable. On a fine day, with members paying at the gate, they should make £l5O. Profits, if any, he considered, should be earmarked for some special work, such as - the enlargement of the members' stand. The executive recommended going on with the sports meeting provided members were charged for admission, and submitted the follow- 1 ing draft programme:— Hunters', competition, maiden and open; leaping competition, steeplechase style; lady hunters', competition; high jump; pony jumping, under 13 hands; pony jumping,,under 14.2 hands; driving competition, for ladies; driving competition, for gentlemen; motor-car driving; trotting event * (maiden); trotting event (open); stoek'iiibn's event; guessing competition; ybuHock-riding competition. 1 ' • Mr. J. B. RiAards mived that the re- j commendation of the executive be adopted. The object of the sports was, no doubt, to ma:k4' profitable use of the grounds, which cost a goodly sum in interest. He considered it an admirable idea, particularly if they could make £4O or £SO otft'of'it- vjte thought that members would see.'.the reasonableness of paying to go in. , Mr. H. Good considering the meeting would <Jra\y.r» big crowd. Mr. J. , Thomas .(jNgqere) said that the society, must be getting on too fast, getting too many members, when it was i proposed to, choke them off in this way. I To charge be a slap ini the. face >vhich rhatiy - would resent. Mr. T. Weblj t "s«id "he 1 had gathered opinions 'from' fefewhij-' ari'd they supported the ptfopogSl" to' l chatg(i members. 'Hie president saW the ,l Asfeociation had 1 made a profit of £52? this year, and should be ablo fto-(eceofc 'a good grand- " stand for t&tejraMi«fr Upsides finding £ 100 or thereabwutpjiiitß the profits i of the spitrfcjy'iwhleK'COiiW: be expended in At present >theyiiKsued;'i3tW6;j;tickets entitling' people to seats Dnuajgrandstand which' could (mly at a pinch. - Mr.-. had at first , opposed h^w v \vi|h the whole of the, executive, ,^pporfed ir the proposal to make the, ,gpnpr^l. Mr. J. I), Heajy |the executive was If the spoils, sujgesti'gn'.was to be taken up< in the' spirit ' mentioned by Mr. Thomas,, better drop if at once. Mr. I)/ .L'W&miie . was of a like opinion. ' Membership'- tickets did not cover this 1 "extra" shofr. The people who were prejfereld' fco 'flo the work were prepared to' and the members would, too, he wa§ sufe.J' He suggested Easter Monday as a '-good date. An amendment fix defer the' matter for consideration) liejr the hnnual meeting was lost, A further to make a re-commendation-to .the annual meeting on the lines of,.the motion,, and to earmark the prbjtfs,' jf jfofc gymkana' for a specific object,Wa| : by Mr. Webb. A fusion, jOf Richards' motion and Mr. Webb's gnj'ef&iient' was effected, and the meeting' ufysidert to recommend the annual 'fheeting 'ftf hold the gymkana on Easter Monday, '.that the profits if any he earmarked'for the" purpose of enlarging the members' stand, members' tickets not giving l admifcsioii. '■ ' THE SECRETARY'S RESIGNATION. Mr. E. /vJafcksdn,'- 'thie secretary, for--1 warded his-resignation, as follows: "I beg to "tinder my-resignation as secretary' of A. and P. Association froth Ist April, 1912, as owing to the large*, increase' in my firm's business I am Un&bfe to cfevote that time required 'by' the' Association to make the show the' .suedes# we "till wish it to be. Although 'I ani fcevSring my connection as secretary, I still hope to take a very live interest ini thq affairs of the association anusia. its advancement. I desire most sincerity to thank the members of the general and executive committees, and the members generally for the uniform kindness and consideration extended to me during my term of office." The president said that as the secretary would, continue in office till April, and there would be fresh blood in the management bv- then, the resignation might well be .allowed to stand over for a while. . Personally he, was very sorry that the association's business was being moved from Messrs. Jackson Bros.' office.—The resignation will accordingly lie placed before the annual meeting. A GATE GRIEVANCE. Mr. Webb suggested that some better scheme might be adopted in regard to taking tickets from members at 'the grandstand. He thought that members should not have to give up their tickets as at present, for he, and doubtless many other members, liked to keep their membership tickets the year through. A (member needed no.gate pass at the stand I enclosure; his ticket would admit him, ! and he needed nothing to pass him out. The "pass" system had been very inconTenient at the late show. Mr. Malone said that perhaps the whole subject 'of admis-ioa by ticket could be revised with advantag?, but the question was not so simple as it looked. They had a big membership and a small stand, and the system adopted was with a view of preventing any abuse, whereby the *tand might be crowded with people who had uo right to be there and members left outside. Mr, J. B. Richards moved that the report and balance-sheet be submitted to

* From Our Resident Reporter. f ♦ * 4> Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford. * ♦ ' . ■ • :4»t

the general committee before being sukmitted to the annual meeting of members. It seemed to him that the general committee, ekcted by the. members for ji the purpose of directing the affairs of the association, was delegating too much of its power to the executive, who were ■ handier to town, and, he added, par- ' ticularly suitable men for the position. , He didn't wish for one moment to m- *' sinuate that the executive committee J' could be improved in any way. The [' thanks of the general committee and of r ° the members generally were due to them. (Hear, hear.) But the executive comi mittee should submit to the general com- _ I mittee the result of the year's working _ J before sending the report out to meme i bers. It seemed ridiculous for a report , to be submitted to the members without , the general committee being aware of its contents. He didn't suppose the general committee would alter or amend , the report or the balance-sheet, but still thev should review it. 5 J Mr. Thomas, in seconding, said that i this course should have been adopted , without the necessity for a resolution. t The president pointed out that the t work of framing the report was, as usual i in such cases, left to % small committee . t6 draw up. ]f the general committee of > 40 members were going to draw it.up,? 11 would they do it any better ? The t chances were that they would meet, and j talk, and the report would be no better . than that framed by the men who were . working for the, benefit of the association i day and night the whole year through, i The members had elected an auditor, ; and he was their watch-dog, to see that ■ the executive did not misapply the funds, i Surely they would have confidence in the • auditor whom they themselves had | elected. The executive, in adopting the course which it had adopted, had been actuated by the desire to save the geni eral committee trouble, time, and 'in-j convenience, not wishing to call them to- ] gether unnecessarily. He himself was a-, busy man, and would very much like to ! be getting' his hay down just now. Mr. , Richards knew as well as anyone that it was impossible to, fully discuss the balance-sheet in general committee. "We executive men are all busy men. We don't get paid for this. If you gave us £2OO a year we might give you more time." .-(Mr. Webb:-You couldn't). Mr. Dipgle said tliat he himself had yet to go into the balance-sheet fully, but the copy was in the hands of.the printer, although he had intended, except-for the busy time of the year, to submit it to this meeting. . Messrs. Thomas, Webb, and Richards j carried on, the discussion, in which it was made plain that no reflection wa-s intended to be cast upon, or criticism levelled at the committee. Mr. Richards further stated that by taking the general committee fully into their confidence the executive would increase the interest taken by the members. The discussion closed, the motion being withdrawn. i | > PROFIT OF £527. MTNUAL REPORT AND BALANCE- ; i '■■■•.. SHEET. The report sind balance-sheet to be sub- • minted to the annual general meeting of j mdmbefs of tlie A. and P. Association on I Saturday next are as follow:, gentlemen,—Your executive have pleasure in reporting that the annual show of .1911 was an unqualified success and tnq.t the financial position of the Asso--1 ciajtion .is good. Although the balance-. sh{et shows a net profit of only £l37v "75,: it will be seen from a perusal of the) ' items of. expenditure in the balance-' i-sn*et th%t fairly heavy charges have had tpfbe met in the way of. interest-( £164 26), depreciation (£74), payment off the < mortgage ( £100), while the prize money • fei the recent show was increased by : ovfer £IOO. Subscriptions amounting approximately to £2OO are outstanding, , aM not shown on the balance-sheet. The actual'' profit made from the show is £f27 9s od. The' membership of the association now stands at 875, an increase ■ of' close on 200 during the past year. During (1911 considerable improvements been effected on the show grounds, notably the erection of forty bull and hofse boxes, improved cattle accommodation, ploughing, levelling and sowing dojvn in pasture the greater part of the uncultivated area. Numerous other improvements of a minor character have, also been carried out. In the matter of : improvements for the future your executive would r.ecommend to 'the incoming committee the erection of a people's stjnd,' feeling sure that such a structure would not-only be appreciated by the public, but would also do a source of considerable revenue to the association. It is! proposal to hold a horse jumping competition; and' sports, to be called the A. and P. Gymkana," to be hdd in the autumn. It is anticipated that' fetich' a fixture would result in a substantial, financial benefit to your associ|tio!);„„:ypup executive are confident 1 of» the successful growth of thje association from year to year, and as! an 'indication t>f the steadily growing popularity of our show it may be mentioned that the entries received for 1911 totalled 2250, an advance of 900 over last year. Quite a number of letters have bt>en received by your executive from exhibitors expressing appreciation.: f or the cape of stock general management, alpo expressing good wishes for continued success.- -We regret to have to report that Mr. E. Jackson has,' owing to press of his own business, tendered •■his resignation. as secretary. Your -executive desires to place on record its appreciation of Mr;: Jackson's services, his couri at all times being unfailing. Ac- , cording ( to, the , rules of the association, • it will be iiecessary to elect a president, ■ four vice-presidents, and twenty members (out, of forty) of the general com- ■ nijttee. Tlie ( vacancy created by Mr. , Jackson's resignation will also be required ! tq be filled. In conclusion, your execu-. l tive desires to heartily thank all who • assisted in' many ways* to make the rer cent show.a success, and would aslc for r the co-operation of the whole of the ' members for the successful carrying on of ' ttye association—We are, gentlemen, ' • R. DINGLE (President). E. JACKSON (Secretary). r .The balance-sheet is as follows: » .Profit and Loss Account—To advertis- ' and printing and stationery, £220 3 lis 7d; cartage and railage, £lO 9s 9d; ' caretaker, salary, £3B 2s; deprecia--7 ti,on, £74; stjimps and telegrams, £24 - .Bfj 3d; insurance and public risk, £l7 3s 4d; interest, £164 2s; prize money, I £503 ss; repairs and renewals, £2O ss; , purchase of bullock, etc., £l3 8s lid; catering, £80; general show expenses - (including judges' expenses, gatekeepers, etc.), £147- 8s lid* secretary's salary 3 commission, £120; sundry expenses, t £25 12s 9d; balance, £527 9s sd; t total, £1992 9s lid. t By balance from 1910 adjustment ac--1 count, £390 2s sd; sale of catalogues 1 and advertising, £59 ISsj flonatiOßa, 7 £167 14s; guessing competitions, £44 e 4s; side-shows and space, £3l 3s; wate t receipts, £241 12s sd; sale of privileges tCfi 4s 9d; sale of bullock, etc., £l7 lis e 7(1; rent, £27 lis; subscriptions, £6G3 o 18s 6d; football clubs, hire of ground

£l6 17s 9d; entry fees, £26f5 7s 6d; protest fee, 10s; total, £1992 9a lid. Liabilities.—ll. W. Huggett's estate, £lll4 14s lOd; sundry creditors,. £178; National Bank, overdraft and unpresented cheques, £1770 14s 3d; National Bank, accrued interest, * £2O 13s; balance 1910 (adjustment account £390 2s sd), £527 9s sd; total, £3611 Is 6d. Assets.—Land, £2OIO 9s 8d; grandstand (£7OO less depreciation), £682; produce shed (£250, less depreciation), £244; horse and bjill boxes, £200; pens ( £3OO, less depreciation), £270; plant and general (£205 lis 7d, igss depreciation), £lB5 lis 7d; office furniture, £7 3s; sundry debtors, £5; petty cash in hand, £6 17s 3d; total, £3611 Is 6d.

GENERAL NEWS.

The. seaside picnic now fills the minds of young and old. Stratford will observe the day as a holiday, and go off in hundreds to the seashore. Tents are to be erected as dressing-booths on the breach for men, women, and children. The caretaker of the school is going in on. Wednesday, and hot water, tea and milk will be ready for • the picnickers., when the first train arrives. There is only a limited supply 'of tickets, which will be available (if not sold out before that) until 9 o'clock on Wednesday nighty Country schools are asked to obtain tickets on Monday. The firebell rang out a false alarm on Friday night. There was a rubbish fire burning, and someone saw it and ran to the firebell. The firemen were' mostly at_ the station, assembled for their meeting. A telephone message 'to Sergeant McNeely elicited that there was nothing to worry about. The Stratford lads who made a tdistul'bance at a theatrical performance in Eltham recently were brought before the S.M. Court at Eltham yesterday. Each was fined 10s and costs. s The prosecution ' of three' of the accused on charges of obscene language, and one for stealing chocolat--. was not proceeded witli. Mr. Webb doesn't like the term "gymkana," adopted for the A. and P. Association's equestrian sports. "We can't . get hold of this 'jimmy-shanter' of Mr. Kirkwood's," he said. "Let us have a 1 name we can say. Itll be like that blessed cemetery in this district. Nobody can get his tongue round the name, and no one can get his' tongue round this one." The-other members didn't know-of a better name, liked the novelty .of "gymkajna," and decided to adhere to;it. At the meeting of the Fire. Brigade on Friday night one new member was elected. A presentation was made to Mr. E. Drake, a member of the brigade, on the occasion of his recent carriage. The presentation, which was made by Caiptain Grubb, took the form of a handsome silver cake dish. 1 'V

PERSONAL. 1 > 1

Mr. J. B. Hine, MJP., returned to Stratford by to-night's express. Mr. E. A. Osmond was a passenger by the same train. i