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TARANAKI METROPOLITAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Taranaki Metropolitan Agricultural Society was held in the flood Templar Hall on Saturday afternoon. Various circumstances militated against a large attendance, and Mr. J. Connett (president) presided over less than twenty members. 'On the motion of Messrs A. Morton and Lister, the report ami balancesheet (already published) was taken as read. The president said that his duty of moving the adoption of the report nnd balance-sheet this year was a very pleasant one, for the report evidenced* a progressive era in the history of the Society. Oood luck had been iredominant. They had liad fine weather or the shonvs, debentures had been t;i';en up freely, and the increase in donations wd been most satisfactory, but the most satisfactory feature of all was the increase in membership, and also the help rendered the Society by its district representatives. At last annual meeting it was stated that town members of the Society represented a percentage of 40. and that unless country people took more interest the Society would suffer. Farmers bail nobly responded to the call, and the town percentage of members was now less than 20. Many ladies had also joined. In addition the number of donors had also increased, and these were more fairly distributed between town and country. Outside firms had also contributed well in this respect Members of the Society who were at the front were considered' "good," and the Society could claim at least 1000 financial members. A pleasing adoption had been that of the ''paid-up" ribbon; this had been much appreciated, and doubtless had been responsible for a number of tardy members coming to light with their subscriptions. The sum for debentures on the new grounds shown in the balance-sheet as pair was paid up wi'.en a call of ono-lifth was made. This had been met. by the query, ''Was it payable to call up bv instalments, or would it not be better to call up the whole amount?" In the debenture 'on demand it had not been stated" llow the money was to be called up, and it was proposed to ballot as funds 'became available. lie (Mr. 'Connett) suggested that all debentures be deposited in some strong room, instead of the holders taking them. The entries for the autumn show were If** this year than last, but this was mainly due to war conditions Me iwas if opinion that more attention should be devoted to securing increased entries; the Society's large membership warranted this step. The use of motor lorries foi carting stock should be continued. With the advent of the new grounds more accommodation would be provided, and the cattle pens—especially those ( for the more valuable stock—would be enlarged. A pleasingly new feature at the autumn show was the service of High School and Technical College boys us stewards, and also in the guessing competitions. In this time of shortage of labor this was a step in the right direction, and was one of encouragement to the boys. It was hoped to ma.ke provision for the green feed classes. It was also the desire of the committee to obtain more valua'ble trophies for competition. The great success of the Winter Show had forcibly brought home the urgent need for building extension, as the show was hound to increase in popularity. The thanks of the Society are due to Mr. C'ollard, of Bell Hloelc factory, for taking charge of the cheese entries from time of entry to date of the show, the exhibits thus being shown in much better condition than ever before, Thanks were -also due to the ladies who had so willingly assisted the Society in raffles, sales of cushions, etc. Mr. Connett referred to the need for a room where lectures and readings could be conducted, but at present finance* ivonld not permit. The acreage competition had not been quite so successful, to the dry weather, but its ad; vantages were palpable, and the man who wanted good turnips and other feed was finding it necessary that he should plough earl;,

On the new show grounds the rin« had been completed, and had been sowS down; the previous day. Here delay had been caused bv labor shortage. A lot, of stone liad been removed, crushed and stacked. .About £li()0 had been spent Oil tile ring. The yards, etc. would cost, roughly, Cli'OI). A contract had been let I'or the erection of a grandstand (in fcrro-concrele), which will contain luncheon rooms, etc With reference to the rifle range (7</ s acres) adjoining, the Society was in communication with the J)efence -Department, and arrangements were in progress, but the •Society had temporary occupation, with power to improve. Planting of the frontages had been agreed upon, and will be proceeded with at once.

I Referring to the balance-sheet, Mr. Comiett raid that it was one of the best | ever put before the Society, Compared with last year's, each section showed an increase in receipts and a decrease in expenditure. The prospects for the ; farming community were the best possible. One tiling, he failed to see why , the Government should talk of comman- , Jeering produce. The Government had asked the farmers to produce as much as possible, but yet neutrals were allowed-, to come in (especially as regards meat) and- benefit. There had been a lot of talk about shipping rings, and there had also been much condemnation of tliemj but the producers should not quarrel, as a. high freight .was better than no freight at nil. When times became normal freights would probably go down; if not, there was no reason why producers should not combine find provide their own shipping—a eonsuniation that was evidently in sight. In conclusion, Mr. Comiett said that Taranaki's prospects were very bright. The new meat works at Fit/.roy would soon be going, the ironsand industry was an established fact, ami lie looked forward to having jn the near future direct shipping, which would not only take away New Plymouth exports, but would bring imports here at a considerably decreased cost. So far as the Society was concerned, he trusted that it would receive increased help from the farmers, and lie also hoped that in the North Taranaki district dairy factories would, as was done in the Stratford district. show their appreciation of the Society's work bv considering the question of, and making, donation». 'Mr. W. Hall seconded the motion. Mr, A. Morton said lie was not present to criticise. He had nothing but congratulations for the Society, especially its president and the committee, on the splendid results. Twelve months ago the outlook was not a bright one, and there was a question of whether or not the Society had outlived its usefulness. •The report was a fine one, and the work of the president was especially to be com mended. It had been a wise more to obtain new grounds, and he hoped the Society would improve them, as time went (.11, to V'c best of its ability. He hoped that the best accomodation would be provided for- stock, and for the public; if this were done, the public would support 'the Society. The grounds, he felt sure, would be a credit to the Society aiul to the district, and a distinct ornament to the vicinity. Mr. ,1. R. Hill also said he was not going to criticise, the report, which had disclosed a most satisfactory state of afl'airs. But he did want to say that had it not-been for Mr. Connett's almost superhuman efforts the Society would not have been in such a satisfactory position. - " Other members spoke in high terms of Mr. Connett's work, and Mr. Connett, in reply, said he had felt it "up to him'' to give them a lead. Tn this he had been backed up by his father, who for 35 jears had stuck to direct shipping to Moturoa. His (the president's) personal efforts had been splendidly supported by members, and especially by the district representatives, ami the support of the latter was the true way to keep the interests of the Society at high-water mark. As president he had got into touch with many "away back';' mho had scc,eded, had heard their grievances, and had explained matters. He wanted all district representatives to keep in touch with the Society, anil urge tile furtherance of exhibits. He was sure many more exhibits would come along if ail worked on the right lines. Tie had to thank the dairy factories' secretaries, who had worked with him hannoniou-ly and well, and all of them had doii" "their little bit." Nearly 400 paid-up members had been obtained by the dairy factory secretaries, and he hoped this interest would be continued. The report and balance-sheet were then unanimously adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS President, Mr. J. S. Connett (re-elected unanimously); vice-pre.-idents, Messrs Newton King, IT. ■!. Okey, M.P.. F. Watson, and \Y. B. Grant: committee (with power to add). Messrs 11. Sampson. G. W Browne, G. Colson. A. Li-ter. C. Fairbrother, W. Hall, A. T. Moore, T. Luxton, C. lA)b.-on, X. Hill, T. Suieliic, L A. Xiolan, K. If. l'igott, C. \Y. lic.ibe. .1. Allen; district representatives. C. M-.w'.er (L'riiti), .1. \V. H. -Martin ((lid's). F. Phillips (Waitoitoi), S. Topliss (North Taranaki), W. Hall (Waitara Road). 11. I.coper (Lepperton), D. l'odii (le.glewoid) S. Death (Kaimata), 1!. KilpJtrick (Maketawa), .1. Connett (Bell Block), Cp-on (l'rankley), ,1. Rowlands (M.ingorei), .1. McKee (Onnita), W. Mace (Oak), W. Hr.nsyfieid (I'atua), C. Andrews (Okato), J Burgess (Ware#), M. Fleming (Pungarehu), A. Phillips (Tiahotu) C. Jeffries (Oaonui); auditor, Mr. J. S. S. Medley (re-appointed); lion. vet. surgeon, Mr. K Mason, Stratford. A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Taranaki Jockey Club for the very many gracious acts of courtesy, 1 kindness and generosity during the Society's occupation of the racecourse 1 grounds for many years. Votes of thanks to the ladies and the press were also passed. • =============

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19161009.2.10

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1916, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,657

TARANAKI METROPOLITAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1916, Page 3

TARANAKI METROPOLITAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1916, Page 3

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