STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, w ill leceire prompt attention.] A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. SHOW TO BE HELD. Stratford, June IG. At tlie meeting of the members of the Stratford A. and P. Association, held at the Foresters' Hall, on Saturday, there were over 100 present. Mr. E. Jackson presided. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet showed receipts foi 1916 totalled £2432 14s, including balance previous year of £729 15s; subscriptions £682, donations £328, entry fees £216. The expenditure totalled £1575, the chief item being prizes £568. The show showed a profit of £l2B. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the president stated that they had had a very good year. Finances had improved, the membership had increased by 250, and now stood at 900. The grounds had been let at a yearly rental of £B6 with the cottage. Reference was made to the model dairy farm and the advisability of giving more attention to juvenile judging. The improvements carried out at the show grounds were touched upon, and other matters details of which have appeared in these columns.

Mr. E. Masters, as -treasurer, quoted figures relating to the financial position. They would see hy the balance sheet that whilst the receipts had shown an increase, the percentage of receipts did not compare with the increased expenditure. This was due to the increased cost of labor and cartage. Depreciation on some of the buildirigs had not been put down at a correct figure, in his opinion. The president thought that as the hull pens had been erected by working bees, to say nothing of the iron, etc., they \ve;re right in making depreciation lew in this instance. Mr. G. Smart stated that Mr. Masters had only put one side of the financial question. Mr. Masters retorted tha,t the president had already stated the other side in a manner that should be apparent to thesfe possesing ordinary intelligence. The president said ho regarded the work done in the matter of bull boxes as a donation to the society. . Mr. Masters could not accept it in that lisht. It was no argument, otherwise they took away the value of the earlv work done by the association.

Mr.' Dingle said the remarks of the president and treasurer were interesting,'but he must admit that there were several items appearing on the balancesheet that looked like extravagance. If they ran their business on the same lines they would find trouble ahead. Advertising had been very costly. £lB3 was too large a sum for publicity, and he -believed they could do just as well at a lesser figure. Another item he objected to was that of caterng. £6O was too large, as excessive generosity would do the society no good. The cost of liquor was then reviewed, and although he did not object to any man having a drink, he thought it should not be at the association's expense. He was not- agreeable to the press and others associated with the show having luncheon at the association's expense.' He was argree£2o going to afternoon teas. With a mortgage of. £2OOO and another £IOOO to be granted shortly, he did not consider it the thing that such extravagance should exist. The president said that much talk had been occasioned over the advertising. He was sure they would find it was not excessive. They must remember thatthe papers were now costing 2a, and besides advertising, the cost went to catalogues, tickets, etc. The advertising committee had dene their best, and he did not see how this item could be kept lower. He had refrained-from printing his report for that reason.

Mr. R. MqK. Morison Baid that '£2o had been paid for afternoon tea. They had to pay for it, and it would do some good if they prevented it occurring again. He thought this would be done by placing one man in charge. Mr. Masters: There must be some mistake. ' Mr. Morison: The amount is so. The fault lay in the management They should do away with the beer and whisky. If he accepted any position he would take control of this department and prevent further trouble. ■ Mr. Perry (Mangatoki) believed the association should control the catering. The report and balance-sheet was then carried on the voices. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr. T. Ranford said he had much pleasure in proposing Mr. .T. W. Boon foi the position of president, and the motion was_ carried. In taking the chair Mr. Bfroii expressed the hope that the next twelve months would be a successful period. They had a hard row to hoe, but with the loyal assistance from all, he trusted a success would result. Vice-presidents (4): Messrs E. Jackson, Captain Hine, M.P., R. Dingle, and D. J. Malonc. Mr. R. Masters was reelected treasurer. He accepted on the understanding that he would not be required to attend executive meetings. Mr. J. H. Thompson was re-elected auditor. The duties of hon. veterinary surgeon were again conferred on Mr. E. V. Mason. The following general committee was then elected: Messrs W. H. Were, J. W. Lopdell, B. Orr, .T. S. .Tones, T. Ranford, H. Harrison, W. Harkness, E. Marfell, E. Kelleher, J. M. Sliotter, E. H. Linnell, W. H. Rutledge, T. Perry, W. Pollock, J. Pottigrew, A. Huggett, J. B. Clemon, .T. Walker, R. McK. Morisen, and H. Good. SHOW TO BE HELD. The next question was that introdncved by Mr. Dingle: "That, in view of the fact that the conditions obtaining when the resolution to hold the annual show was passed by the members, have considerably altered, the association review the position again in the direction I of the discontinuance of the show for 1917." The speaker, after referring to the action of Hawera and Wanganui in not holding shows, and to the withdrawal of railway concessions, said he recognised the holding of the show was something to the town, as shows brought people out, and they must spend something when away from home. The balancesheet showed that they were on the right side, but he thought they could drop the show and vet be in funds in this way. In fact, he considered if members i were loyal to the association they would

probably find themselves £2OO to the credit, against £l2s shown by the late show.

Mr. ]£. Jackson .seconded the motion pro forma. He was against any idea of abandonment, aiul felt it would prove disastrous to the association. The Stratford association had certain obligations to meet, and it would bo a thousand pities if they cried down holding the show. They would have a good show, and a successful one. Mr. Dingle was too optimistic in thinking that members would pay up in the numbers indicated. They should hold the show. Mr Frank Ranford also considered it desirable to go 011 with the show. Like Mr. Jackson, he was positive a good show would result, with excellent support from exhibitors and public. Mr. Perry was sorry to oppose Mr. Dingle, but if they dropped the show they would have to reorganise things when a recommencement was made. Mr. C. Jackson said they had £3(10! to meet, and he believed they would be 200 members short if they closed down, and this would be fatal. He hoped there not one farmer present ho would vote against holding the show. Mr. Lopdell congratulated Mr. Dingle oil the fair manner in which he placed his motion before the meeting, hut the latter now recognised he had no hope of having it carried. On the motion being put there was a silent aye and a unanimous no, so, unless unforeseen circumstances arose, | the show will be held as usual. CATERING FOR THE SHOW. Many members having left the room, Mr. E. Jackson was granted, permission 1 to withdraw his motion until a further meeting "that the catering in future be carried out by the association," RESIGNATION. The chairman then announced that the secretary had resigned his position that day as secretary. The matter was held over till a future meeting. GENERAL. A motion "That it be a recommendation that liquor bars at the sliow be ijholished" was discussed rather late, the attendance being rather sparse. —Lost by 14 to 13. Mr. E. Jackson brought up the question of judging by adults and juveniles, and after a short discussion his motion in this direction was carried. Mr. R. Dingle, in moving a vote of thanks to the retiring president, expressed the association's appreciation of the work done by Mr. Jackson as president, and also since liis association with the society. Mr. Petersen added his tribute of praise. Mr. Jackson said his work had been a labor of love. He was pleased his efforts had been appreciated, and trusted the association would have the best of luck under the new officers. The Toko Patriotic Committee is tendering a social and dance to Riflemen J Fincham, T. Goldup and L. Stanford at the Coronation Hall, Toko, on Thursday. The prices for admission are extremely reasonable, and with a fine evening a very pleasant social should result. There are bargains offering in the thousand and one articles that Mr. C. E. James intends to clear between the present date and the 30th inst. He is carrying a heavy stock of general and fancy goods, and this must be turned into cash. During the next few weeks bargains rarely placed before the Stratford public will be available, so those 011 the look-out for best value gijods at lowest cash should attend these sales. *