A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1915, Page 6

A. AND P. SOCIETY.

THE AUTUMN SHOW. WILL BE HELD NEXT YKAB. POSITION OF THE SOCIETY. FUTURE FINANCE. The annual. meeting of the Taranaki Metropolitan Agricultural Society was held at the Town Hall, New Plymouth, on Saturday afternoon, when Mr. J. Connett (the president) presided over an attendance of over fifty members. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (already published), Mr. Connett said that when they met a year ago the great war in which the whole Empire was now vitally interested had been in progress two months. Enemy cruisers were a menace to shipping, and many cold storage boats were being commandeered by the Government for transport purposes, and farmers were exceedingly doubtful as to the prospects of getting their produce on to the Home markets. In looking back now, however, he thought he could say that, on the whole, they had been well catered for by the shipping companies, and despite the pessimistic forecasts for the present season, so generously broadcasted earlier in the year, indications were that farmers would fare no worse, but probably better, than they did last year. Weather conditions had been particularly favorable in this part of Taranaki, and values for all classes of produce had ruled high owing to the war. It had been said that farmers were doing so well, owing to the war, that they would not mind if it lasted for seven years, but he thought he was voicing the feelings of all present when he said they hoped for an early and, honorable termination of the conflict^'and a cessation of the frightful wastage of men, money, and material. The association had derived no benefit from the war; in fact, they had been unable to hold their own, though they had fought hard to carry on "business as usual." There was no doubt the Society wouVl have come out fairly well if the members had rallied round as they should have done. Although circulars were sent out to show that subscriptions were due, 120 members had failed to pay up. This was a. distinct loss. Then there was the loss, by death, of Mr. H. H. Street, and the departure' to Australia of Mr. L. Jackson—two prominent members whom the Society could ill afford to lose. This weaking of the Society had led to the notice of motion Brought forward by Mr. Watson, suggesting that no autumn show should be held next year. Mr. Connett did not think for a minute that these defaulting members really intended to go back on the Society, in fact he believed most of «them would pay up some time, but he preferred that the Society should have the money in hand now. If their money had been received at the due date that surplus from the general account would have gone a long way to balance the loss on the autumn show. Mr. Connett then referred to what had been done to canvass for new members. He had addressed meetings of dairy com-" panies throughout the district as far as)j Oaonui in the west, Uruti in the north,] and Inglewood and Kaimata in the south. There had been something lacking in the Society in the past, and he considered that in the future they should endeavor to make the Society more a country Society than it had been. It was said that the Society was run by- the people of New Plymouth in the interests of the town, but that was a fallacy he had tried to explode wherever he had gone. He had endeavored to arouse a greater interest in the Society in the country, and suggested that a farmer should be appointed from each district to represent that district on the committee. This was agreed to, and twenty-Ave 'dairy companies had each nominated a representative. The canvass for members had been very successful, and by the campaign the Society had obtained something like 300 new members. Mr. Connett said he was much indebted to Mr. F. Watson for material assistance in his work. In regard to donations, they had not been so successful. The Taranaki Jockey Club had made a very generous offer of a donation of £IOO, and £SO every year for five years, providing that the Society removed its yards from the racecourse to the new grounds at Waiwakaiho before the Christmas meeting. The offer was a generous one, which the Society very much appreciated, but he was sorry to say that at the present time he could not see any prospect of them being entitled to accept' the offer, under the conditions it was given. The report and balance-sheet were seconded and adopted. THE AUTUMN SHOW,

In accordance with notice, Mr. F. Wat-' son moved that no cattle show should be held next year. He referred to the fact that the motion had been adjourned when brought up at a special meeting some time ago, to enable the district to be canvassed for members and donations. The membership portion of the arrangement had been achieved, there now being on the books a total of 668 members, of which 345 were old ones, paid up, and 323 were the result of the' canvass. During the past three months Mr. Connett had attended twenty dairy factory meetings and several cattle sales, as well as making house-to-house calls' in different parts of the district. Mr. Watson paid a tribute to the work done by Mr. Connett. Although the membership had now reached over the stipulated number, the donations or debentures were very far below the amount required to finance the new ground. Outside the offer of the Jockey Club the remaining donations and debentures did not exceed, even if they totalled, £IOO. It would take £2500 to erect the necessary buildings, yards, etc., and get the ground in proper order at Waiwakaiho, but the Society did not have the money, nor anywhere near ii', and, what was more, they did not have the necessary security to raise the required amount. Perhaps it might be said the show could be held on the racecourse, but if this was done the Society would lose the offer of the Jockey Club, and would probably lose another £l5O to £2OO. Unless something turned up soon and- some scheme was devised to raise £2500, at least, it would Be absolutely impossible to carry on the stock shows. Mr. Watson emphasised that it was now "up to" the members of the Society. He did not want to see the Society die, "but very much less do I want to see it merely dragging out its present tuberculosis existence—much rather would I see it shot dead now and put out of its misery." Mr. W. B. Grant seconded the motion. Mr. G. Colson said he would fight tooth and nail in opposition to the motion. To let the show lapse would be a crying shame. Mr. Connett had obtained a certain amount of success in regard to membership, and if it had not been for the war they would Lave'teen "mow •successful

A voice: No, no. There is more money about now. Mr. Colson agreed that there was more money in Taranaki now than there had ever been, but the sadness of the war had taken the enthusiasm out of the people] for anything. As a farmer, he did not want to see the show dropped. He suggested that arrangements should be made to finance the new grounds scheme by a joint and several guarantee, n6t exceeding £3OOO, or some such means. Mr. H. Okey, M.P., did not think it would be wise to hold the next ahow, and the absence of the show for one year might make the people feel the want of it. The Society should not cease getting members and should go on with the new grounds, but the show could be held over for next year. About £2OO would probably be lost over the show, and, in addition to this, they would lose about another £2OO from the Jockey Club, so that b'y holding the show next year there would be a loss of about £4OO. The chairman said that though the Jockey Club's offer was conditional, he did not think it would be absolutely withdrawn, seeing the Society had made some attempt to improve its position. It appeared there always would be a loss over the autumn show, and an increase in membership was the only thing that would meet this. He would be very sorry to see the show dropped. If the Society could get a hundred members to each pay £lO and become a life member they would have £IOOO and this, with mortgage, would give the Society what was wanted.

Mr. Newton King thought there was much to be said for Mi'. Watson's motion, but, at the same time, he would not like to see it carried. If the show was dropped all the work in organising the Society during the past few months would have been for nothing. Mr, King thought a fair sum could be obtained from the bank, and he thought debentures would bring in a goodly amount, The idea of having life members was also a good one. In regard to the offer of the Jockey Club, he did not think that, in view of the work which the chairman and others had done, it would be withdrawn if the Society did not shift to new grounds this year. If £IOOO could be raised on debentures lie thought the Society would get out of its trouble. Mr. S. W. Shaw said that everyone appeared to be glum, but he thought that things looked better than they did at the last meeting. The good attendance that day was a healthy sign for the Society. If there was no show next year the Society would be practically broken.

The chairman thought the suggestions put forward by Mr. King would meet the case.

Debentures were then taken up to the amount of £1505 as follows:—Messrs Newton King £IOO, J. Connett £SO, J. R. Hill £SO, S. W. Shaw £25, D. J. Hughes £2O, H. King £2O, G. Colson £2O, C. Andrews £2O, W. Honeyfleld £2O, H. C. Sampson £2O, S. Knuckey £2O, H; B. Lepper £2O, A. Marsh £2O, F. Watson £2O, B. Honevfield £lO, Luxton £lO, E. Bayly £lo,*Rubi £lO, A. E. Sykes £lO, F. H. Jellyman £lO, Adlam £5, E. Wells £5, J. H. Allen £5, Poletti £5, and R. Turnball £5. The chairman thought the show should be held on the present grounds for the present year, and before it was held on the following year the debentures should be brought up to £ISOO. Mortgage of property should provide another £IOOO. 1 The motion was then put and lost on the voices.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected:— Patron, Hon. O. Samuel; president, Mr, •T. S. Connett; vice-presidents, Mr. H. Okey M.P., and Mr. Newton King; committee, Messrs W. G. Grant, F. Watson, D. J. Hughes, G. W. Browne, G. Colson, H. Sampson, W. Hall, L. A. Nolan, J. R. Hill, R. H. Pigott, C. Fairbrother, A. Lister, R. Johnston, T. Smellie, E. Bayly, with the following gentlemen representing dairy companies: Messrs C. Musker (Uruti), E. J. Butter (Waitoitoi and White Cliffs), A. F. Halcombe (North Taranaki), J. Allen (Tikorangi), T. Luxton (Waitara Road), H. B. Lepper (Lepperton), G. Capper (Kaimata), D. Todd (Inglewood), J. R. Rowlands (Mangorei), G. M. Longstaff (Tarurutangi), Vickers (Royal Oak), P. Raill (Omata), W. Honeyfield (Patua), C. Andrews (Okato), J. Burgess (Warea), M. Fleming (Pungarehu), A. Phillips (Rahotu), J. O'Rorke (Oaonui); auditor, Mr. C. Fairbrother.

GENERAL. It was decided to recommend the committee that the rule providing that subscriptions must be paid before tickets are sent out should be rescinded. A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs J. S. Connett and F. Watson, who refused to accept their expenses. Votes of thanks were also passed to the stewards, judges, the Taranaki Jockey j Club, the ladies, and the press.