Stratford News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 186, 5 February 1912, Page 3

Stratford News.

STRATFORD A. AND P, ASSOCIATIOI ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. There was an attendance of abou fifty members this afternoon at the ar nuaJ general meeting of members of th Stratford Agricultural and Pastoral Aa sociation. The president, Mr./K. Dingle presided. REVIEW OF THE AFFAIRS. In moving the adoption of the repor and balance-sheet, as published in las Monday's Daily News, the president sail it gave him great pleasure to congratu late the association upon the completioi of a satisfactory year's work. They hac had a really good show and, as. befittec a good show, ,it had cost much money Two items of expenditure alone had ab ? sorbed more than was paid by member! in subscriptions. The value of the asso ciation's land had been increased bj £2562 13s 7d, whilst.the bank oyer-drafl stood at £1790 17s 3d. Glancing through the balance-sheet, the item "Catering £80" might look unduly large. He had no doubt some would, think it extravagant. But, he pointed out, the executive had decided to show their appreciation of the generosity of different people by issuing complimentary luncheon tickets to all donors of a guinea to the prize fund, and two tickets for two guineas. Then the executive had provided breakfasts free for those big exhibitors who were on the grounds in the very early morning yarding their exhibits, and. to the stewards who were also there on that duty. The judges' expenses were very }ow, not exceeding £O, these gentlemen recognising that this was a young association, and in many cases not charging expenses at all. Mr. Dingle explained that really the £527 profit had been made on the two shows. The executive had written off the names of fifty members who had not "responded." The membershiy stood at 875, and there was £2OO of subscriptions outstanding.. Another item which was not shown in the balance-sheet was donations to l the prizefund not yet collected. These two items totalled about £370 due to the society, and were not included in the balancesheet. Concluding, he said lie wished to retire from the chair. He was one of the fathers of the association, and would continue to work as hard as ever. But fresh blood was a good thing. He thanked members for their friendship towards him and amongst one another, and for their loyalty to the as-: sociation and to the show. He thanked members of the general'committee, both < those who came to help and those who showed confidence in the rest by staying away. He particularly thanked the executive, than whom he could not desire a better set of men to work with. Then there were the stewards, who had given their assistance voluntarily. Whilst j there was this loyalty and energy the association must succeed. As for the secretary, if they had looked the district over they would. Sot have got a better man for the job. He was very popular amongst the; members,- and he had a natural aptitude 'for getting on UV'j, of ,, them - Mr. Jackson had undoubtedly been of great assistance and value to the association; and he hoped the new secretary would be as undefatigable and tactful, and would have as equally convenient* offices; Mr A. Coleman seconded the motion for the adoption ■■ of the report and ■ balance-sheet. The prestige which had! been acquired and the progress made in this short period of two years were unprecedented in Taranaki, and the envy of the district. He suggested that in future the amount of depreciation on buildings should.be increased, although the allowances might be reasonable for the first year or two. He paid a tribute of praise to the executive who had Dr °ugnt about such a happy result. ;Mr. J B. Richards, in reviewing the balance-sheet, said that he was glad that the president had clearly explained that the profit of £527 shown in the balancesheet was not the profit of last year's show, but included £390 brought forward in the adjustment account. Without the explanation the report was mis- ' leading, and he would like to see this sentence deleted, provided that such deletion did not reflect upon the members of the executive, for members had reason to be proud of the executive and its I 0 ? H { e i t hen com Pared "the balancesfleets of the two years. The "show expenses" item had'increased by £6O He warned the executive to keep an eye on that item.

[ Mr tt H. Young congratulated the president and, the general and executive committees upon the results achieved and endeavored to bring before the mem-' bers an idea of the great amount of night work which the executive had put m. Touching on show expenses, he warned the executive against issuing complimentary luncheon tickets to mem bers of the association, who already had more privileges than members of most other associations of this kind. He also expressed the opinion that the donations to the prize-fund should be collected before the show. The splendid attendance and splendid show should have given a greater profit. ■ Mr. E. A. Osmond pointed out that m comparing the balance-sheets of the two years speakers had omitted to mention the amount of £164 paid in interest charges. He believed the incoming executive could with advantage keep a watchful eye on the expenditure, and particularly on the issue of complimentary luncheon tickets. Ho expressed his conviction that Stratford was to have the leading show in Tamnaki, if not in the •North Island.

Mr. W. Kenrick supported the executive m their libera] distribution of luncheon tiekets. Gentlemen assisting were surely entitled lo refreshment. "V o ne of us would like lo work for our tucker " he said. '

Mr. Geo. Sangster complained that the criticism savored of hair-splitting. Mr. Coleman protested that the criticism of the balance-sheet was eminently fair, and intended to be helpful. There should be no attempt to burke discussion on the part of members, for an hour spent in solid criticism was perhaps the most valuable hour in the association's year.

The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. ELECTION OP OFFICERS Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow:—President, Mr W P K.rkwood; vice-presidents, the chairman of the Stratford and Whanaamomona County Councils, the Mayor of ItTatTord and the member for the district- committee Messrs. R. Dingle, E. Jackson, J. ?; I i;'' . G - ,s - Hol)bs ' D - Watkiiw. r McK. Morison, <i. Sangster, J. B Richards, S. M. Porritt.'D. J. Malone J T Belcher R. IT. Masters, A. Stewart,' H Good K Dobson, T. Coodkin. J. Stewart', T. Webb, R. T. R Mellow, J. D. Healv

| From Our Resident Reporter. * * Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford. * * <i» ************* '************<!• ft****

E. Jackson, C. Jackson, P. Budd, with twenty to be added by the committee; auditor, Mr. T. H. Penn. THE AUTUMN SPORTS.

The recommendation of the general committee was adopted in the matter of holding an autumn gymkana, and the gathering will be held on a da,te to be fixed, the profits to be expended in additions to the members' grandstand, and members' tickets not to admit to the sports.

A discussion took place concerning the suggestion to hold a three days' show. Eventually a resolution was passed recommending the committee to take this matter into consideration. COMMITTEE MEETING.

.At the conclusion of the general meeting the general committee met and elected an executive of nine members from among its numbers, as follow, with the president ex officio: Messrs, Dingle, Healy, Porritt;' Masters, R. MoVison, E. Jackson, G. S'. Hobbs, H. Good, and G. Sang3ter.

THE PRESIDENCY. SHOULD A MAN'S AVOCATION BE A BAR; It is not often that politics and nolicense prominently obtrude themselves at annual meetings of agricultural associations and bodies of that kind, but it was very prominent at to-day's meeting of the A. and P, Association. Mr. ,W. P. Kirkwood was nominated by Mr. T. Webb as president of the association in succession to Mr. Dingle. Mr. Kirkwood is the licerisee of the County Hotel, one of the leading hostelries on the coast. He is a keen business man, a great man for detail, a capital organiser, an enthusiast, and a wonderfully good worker on the executive of the association. His busi-! ness instinct has been proved by the successful expansion of his hotel busi-

I ness and in a number of public and semi- ! public positions. Mr. Webb eulogised I* Mr. Kirkwood's work. Mr. Watkins sec-onded-the nomination.

Mr. W. Rogers nominated Mr. Geo. Sangster. Mr. gangster declined, saying no one w'as of the honor than Mr: Kirkwood.

_His next remarks gave rise to some discussion. He said he was very sorry to have to say. what he was going to say, but he had to speak his mind. All knew the business Mr. Kirkwood was engaged '"' A o r . eat man y members of the association did not see eye to eye with Mr. Kirkwood in that business. If he, were elected was it going to help the membership? He had nothing personal against Mr. Kirkwood. No man;he would rather see president, with one'exception, but was it going to hurt the membership? Here came an interjection: "Not a bit," whilst another member ejaculated, "It should never have been mentioned." Mr. Sangster replied: "It had to be mentioned.",

Mr. D.' J." Malone,. a member of the executive, replying to Mr. Sangster, said he was in the liquor business, too, so if he happened to aspir.e to the president's chtiir. probably he"'was going to be barred too, but he thought if Mr. 'Kirkwood and he were ineligible for president then they must' be ineligible also for the executive.

. Mi. R. McK. Morison supported 'Mr. Sangster. It was desirous that the president should be a farmer and not a business 'man at all, a draper or anything Travelling to other shows their president would bave to meet farmers and breeders and discuss agricultural matters, which he could-not do unless he worked on the land. Mr. Kirkwood, he felt sure, would understand the position, for he knew he had nothing against him. He was "a jolly good fellow."

Mr. J. Smith concurred. "We as an organisation'must cater for all classes of the community. I have the greatest respect for Mr. Kirkwood, but I don't think he would be the right man in the right ,place.'? , , " „

Mr. Kenrick pointed out that the presidqnt of ijhe Taranaki Agricultural Society (Mr. Ambiiry) wasnotia.farmer Mr. Osmond said all they hadto consider,was, the, fitness of the man to lead affairs of the/ association, irrespective of his private business. He would support Mr. Kirjkwpod's nomination, having some ideaiof his work and enthusiasm, and believing he. would give every satisfaction to members of the association He regretted this question had been brought into the matter.

Mr. R. T. B. Mellow poohpoohed the suggestion that the president must be a farmer, instancing the success of the Manawatu Association, controlled by townsmen from the outset. Mr. Kenrick pointed out that no farmer could attend meetings as a townsman could. Mr. George Hobbs, speaking as a colleague on the executive, said that as a general, as an organiser, as a man to handle men, Mr. Kirkwood was excelled by only one man, their retiring president. Mr. Campbell Jackson said he had been associated with the secretary's office a'nd could assure members that Mr iwkwood was the right man. . The president rose at this juncture and S l \ -,/° n J. ,know what all this is about. Mr. Kirkwood is the only one nominated, and I will support him He has worked day and night for the association. As a matter of fact, he himself got a lot of credit which was due to Mr Kirkwood and his. colleagues ureed members to put Mr. Kirkwood in fn give him loyal support and rake in more members, who were to -be had for the asking." c

Mr Kirkwood was then elected and in° ti™i?f ing' thanks, he said he appreciated the honor centered. He regretted the mat tei of ha business had been brought up, Mr & now ' and h j« knew Mr. gangster and Mr. Morison would be among the hardest workers. He felt the association must grow and prosper with the inevitable growth of the farming and development of the country. &J. den s might come and presidents may association would go on for hi nnA| md + i a 0 d ° Ubt thi3 Show WO " W fh. v2? 7 r , the , premier dair y show in the North Island, but the premier dairy Bhoy of Australasia. This should be their aim Stratford occupied a unique S°t It J Was Centra, »" situate? in Taranaki and was the greatest dairyina district m the Dominion. He thought would be better for the objects of tie show If th ere were only one in Taranaki and that one at Stratford. Ho urged the members to be loyal to the association, and promised to do the utmost m his power to warrant the confidence bestowed and honor conferred on mm. He paid a warm tribute to the retiring president, the executive and the secretary of whom, hesaid. his tact was inexhaustible, his energy illimitable and his courtesy unbounded, a man the association could ill afford to lose

Interjection at Saturday's meeting:— "Don't, talk so much. I've, got cows to milk to-night." The interjector was met by a ready retort: "Why don't you get a milking machine?" '