TARANAKI A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1918, Page 2

TARANAKI A. AND P. SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual. meeting of tlie Taranaki 'Metropolitan A. anil P. Society was held on Saturday. The president (Mr. J. S. Conr.ett) occupied the chair, and there were, about 40 members present. The annual report, which had been previously circulated (already published), was taken as read. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. The chairman, in moving the adoption of tiie report and balance-sheet, after referring to tlie war and its effect ou the interests of the farming community, said the committee thought that members would appreciate a fuller statement of the society's position, and this accounted for the very comprehensive nature of this year's report. It must bo very gratifying to all members to see sucli a satisfactory report and balancesheet. This very line body of enthusiastic and generous men and women had not spared themselves throughout the year to advance the welfare of the ■society, and to them also tlie results shown must be very pleasing. Subscriptions had fallen considerably below last year's figures, the comparison being 773 to SI4, due to many members being away at the war, and also to many subscriptions being still outstanding. These might be recovered, if active members would undertake a canvass of their own districts. Expenditure had increased from £294 to £433, but in this amount was included £7S 7s Cd of permanent improvements, which might have been included under assets. Under this heading a profit of £339 was shown, as against £550 iast year. Receipts from tho autumn show amounted to £032 10s, compared with £093 last year, the increase being brought about by the ladies' effort. Expenditure increased from. £OB2 to £BIO, showing a profit of £ 175, as against £lO last year. The Winter Show also came out well. Roceints were- £SGO, as against £GIS, whilst expenditure was £024 against £<K>S. showing a profit of £240 as against £lO last year. The total profit for the past year was £'737, and £570 for the previous year. In analysing the' donation list, would he found the following:—Tho gift stock campaign, a special effort to reduce liabilities, embraced donations of all descriptions, realising £221. Fifty-three pounds sixteen shillings was donated by dairy companies—an excellent method of : assisting the society, and the contribution was so small, individually, that it was not felt. Eleven pounds eighteen shillings was donated from prize-money won, £SO from the Taranaki Jockey Club. £lB5 in cash and specials, £o' from weight-guessing at the Autumn Show, and near!? £3B from the Bame source at the Winter Show. The best feature in the balance-sheet was the splendid result of the ladies' effort in undertaking and carrying out the catering with such success. What a success i't was! Weather conditions were good, tlie attendance of the public was large, and the arrangements for luncheon and afternoon tea, were excellent. One prominent visitor expressed himself thus: "The food was good and well cooked, and was put before piitrons in an attractive manner; the waitresses were becomingly dressed and most attentive to their duties., and the organisation was excellent, there being no delay of any kind-" This, the chairman thought, expressed the fellings of all presirit. In addition to the catering, a soft drinks and ice cream stall was run under the supervision of Mrs. F. Sampson, with very good results. At the Winter Show the ladies again helped with catering, jumble stalls, raffles, and guessing competitions, with the result that a total of £320 had been added to the funds of the so- : cietv. (Applause.) In addition to the financial help, the society had benefited in other ways. For instance, ladies ■ generally were taking a much greater interest in the shows than hitherto, and : many of their male friends had become prominent workers, whilst members bad been delighted with this year's experiment, and exhibitors and visitors had congratulated us 9a the upward gradeThis year's profit of £737 had enabled the society to reduce its indebtedness from £034 last year to £4ll, showing an improvement of £5"22 for the year, besides spending £ISI in permanent improvements. The debenture account last year stood at £2757. Since then_ £3O additional had been taken'up, making a total of £2787, and of that amount £73 had been donated this year, namely, £SO from Mr.. TTarry Western and £25 from Mr. C. IloneySeld. In addition, £3 Ss in interest had been donated, and

£4-2 odd lieeri left unclaimed, which made the society's position that much better. The . president , concluded by stating that he was quite unable to adequately express his appreciation of the efforts" of all who had .helped to "bring about this, very .satisfactory and he sincerely hoped that they would be 'found'-doing".their best in,-the coining •yen* waintai'nfth'e soeiety in its very satisfactory position.'' (Applause.): ■ ?Tr.'ft Adlanv seconded the .niotion, which %va« carried unanimously, ELECTION OP OFFICERS, •, , ■ - The election of officers 'resulted .as follows:—President, ]\lr. J. S. Connett (re* elected); vice-presidents, .Messrs W. B. Grant (rc-clcctcd) and H- 0. S'anipac'ti; committee, Messrs G. W. Broivne, L. A. Nolan, C. 1 Fairbrother)'. 0!' : Dobson,'s I?, lloncyliekl, C. \Y. Ruche, A. T. Moore J?} W. Hill, S: Oolson,' J. Er Rowlands, W.; Scott, C. Hoskiri, A. Lister;'l-Iy. Benton,' and Lewis Jackson; auditor, Mr. J. S. S. Medley; hon. veterinary surgeoSS, Messrs E. Mason and E. S. Wood, '' LADIES' COMMITTEE.

The following ladies,. who * were p'/j. sent, undertook to form themselves! ' a committee to undertake ar . rangcmcnts.—Masdames Coimetfc. «L.i l : c, 13. Honoyfield, H. C- Sam'- ji 0 _ A Lister, and W. B. Grant, with -f nw t ' add to their number. .power to NEW MEMBER'^'. I lie following were emoted msim'bers of the society :-Mossr_ s A K W asher, A. .1. Laxton, IT. J. P r l Withers, X. Berridge, G. A. ITadler, and J. S. S. Medley. VOTES 'OF THANKS. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies for their work in undertaking the management of the. catering at bpth shows during the year, to the president, to the outgoing 1 committee, to the press, ztr.d to all others who had helped the society in any way. The votes were carried with acclamation.