AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 182, 31 January 1912, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS CARRIED. INTERESTING DISCUSSION. A special general meeting of the members of the, Taranaki Agricultural Society was held in the Town Hall last evening to consider two recommendations of the committee—(l) that the sum of £ISOO be 1 borrowed, at 5 per cent., with 1 per cent, sinking fund, and the right to repay by instalments, ;for the purpose of erecting .a building to commemorate, the Coronation of King George, on the western portion of the Society's property (St. Germain square), at a cost of £2OOO, for the purpose of Winter, Agricultural and other shows, territorial or other purposes; (2) that the present two days' spring show Should be substituted by an autumn .show. About forty members were present.

POSITION SUMMARISED. At the outset the chairman (Mr. W. Ambury) moved the adoption of both recommendations, and then went on to say that during the past few months he had investigated several properties.. in various parts of the town, but on "account of the high prices and the cost of building in brick or concrete he considered that any proposal other than to build on the St. Germain square site would be altogether beyond the Society's means in proportion to the estimated revenue. The committee had arranged satisfactory terms for financing the scheme, and had also secured suitable tenants for the building during portions of the first three years, with th? right of a further term of three years at a rent to cover all expenses. Dates would be reserved suitable for winter shows and other functions, leaving the building available for further letting for revenue purposes during several months in each year.

The committee had been unable to arrange with the Defence Department to lease the building, but felt sure that it would do v better with it as soon as the proposed electric tram service was an accomplished fact. The trams would N bring the hall more central, and hence make it more valuable. .

Plans and specifications ( which he subsequently submitted to the meeting) had been prepared for a suitable building, and tenders had been received, and the contractors were prepared to, sign the con-' tract and start work at once. HALL DESCRIBED. The chairman then described the proposed hall. The structure would be in wood and iron, with concrete foundations. Its dimensions were 200 ft. by 67ft. 6in. The floor was of wood. After making provision for. ladies' and men's rooms, secretary's office and lavatories, there would be a clear floor space of 185 ft. by 66ft. Provision was made for a balcony over the offices. The building would be lighted with numerous windows and skylights,_well ventilated, and fitted throughout with electric light, water and drainage. The whole scheme would cost not more than £2200.

The motion was seconded by the Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne).

THE DISCUSSION. In congratulating the chairman on making a move in the right direction Mr. R. Cock recalled what Wanganui had done in the matter, instancing how there a building similar to the one proposed here had been erected out of public subscription, persons being made life members on t£e payment of £lO. He also combatted the assertion that the site would* not be central, stating that the town was extending in that direction.

"TO HAVE IT . LOOK AT US." In taking the community to task for the poor attendance, the speaker asked why the shop-keeping section was npt better represented there. The butchers, the bakers, the land agents and their ilk, who stood to benefit most, shpuld join in heartily, and endeavor to make the show a success, and "get the people to have a look at us" (the town), for that was the object desired. Mr. Cock concluded by cautioning the Society n< i.st moving the show away from l.'lvniouth—to Bell Block—as had b..i 11 suggested. '

CONCRETE VERSUS WOOD, Mr. 11. C. Hughes asked what was the difference between the cost of constructing the building in wood, as' was proposed, or in concrete. The chairman replied £6OO, and this led Mr. S. W. Shaw to enter upon a strenuous advocacy of the latter work of construction. Concrete would, he saidj, be especially desirable in case of future additions. An amended estimate of the difference in cost, which he reckoned at £Boo, was given by the chairman, and further replying to Mr.' R. J. Hill he assessed the present credit balance at £238. In addition, all members had not paid their subscriptions. "BY NO MEANS HANDSOME." Mr. Hughes returned to the attack, taking the committee to task for not making a more noble-looking edifice, stating that the front view was by no means handsome. "We want," he reiterated, "something noble-looking." An interjecting voice, "And pay for it!" Another member: That's the point. 'Mr; Hughes: "Yes, we'll pay for it. We want a building fitted for the position we will be in in a very short time." Further, were competitive designs called for? "AS HIS DONATION." The chairman explained that a practical member of the committee drew the plans and specifications as his donation. (Applause.) f According to Mr. Shaw the exterioi' was of very little moment. It could be improved any time, as funds permitted. Given an energetic canvass, sufficient money to provide for the Society's immediate wants would soon be found. "Why, if all the fanners in the district contributed on the basis of a penny an acre, the building would be up in no time." _• , , . r i Concrete found numerous other expressions of approval, it being pointed out that, being so near the sea, the wooden building would deteriorate much quicker than the proposed substitute. The chairman also reminded members that to be taken advantage of, the Gov- J crnment subsidy must be expended in the building by March 31, while another supporter of wood declared that members would not talk so glibly about the easi-

ness of raising the interest on the extra £BOO if they belonged to the committee;

THE SAME OLD GREW.

There was a short but lively exchange of words when Mr. Hill , exclaimed: "What we want is an. infusion of new tlood. For many years the same old crew has ruled the show."

A member (vigorously): "Well, by the Lord Harry! some of the 'old crSW* would be mighty glad to get out of it!"

Voices: Hear, hear! Pm with you. > The chairman, referring to the tardiness of subscribers: While their hearts may be very big, their pockets are.light, very light! (Laughter*), r WOULDTHE ObitfMITTiEE RESIGN ?

New light was introduce! by a metober pertinently enquiring:. Po you' think there is a danger of the committee resigning, if the meeting decides to put up a concrete building? The chairman replied in the affirmative. '

Before the discussion petered out, tb® question of day versus'contract labor was introduced, but the former was not seriously considered. Finally the firpt recommendation relative to the jiuilding was carried without dissent, twentyseven of those present voting in its favor. About twenty-two members refrained from voting. TENfiER ACCEPTED.

A 'formal resolution empowering /the committee to borrow the sum necessary was then carried, and the committee was authorised to ' accept , the tender of Messrs. Robert Coleman '& Sons at £2064 for the erection of the 'hall, the building to be completed by May 18,1912, in time for the Winter Show.

The committee was also empowered to arrange for the letting of the proposed buildings. *•

The proposal to substitute .pn Autumn for the present Spring Show.was also carried, and is referred to in another column.