STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent/)' (All conmunlciLtions, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.) A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the general committee of the Stratford A. and P. Association was held on Saturday afternoon The following new members were elected: Messrs W. G. Fargie, D ICenney, C. Mason, P. Drosdowski, Lightband, Wann, W. Z. Wells, and Wong Yon. The executive committee reported that the grounds were in good order and the fence;* were being repaired. New gates will be put up at the lower drive, which Kid been in a bad state of repair. The pocia! committee reported having made arrangements for the annual concert and dance to bo held on Thursday next. The executive had confirmed the principle of holding a Derby Stakes for .Tersey cattle on the lines as suggested by the Stratford Jersey Cattle Breeders' Association. The finances of the association were in a sound and healthy condition, consider'msr that the show had to he postponed. Information had been received that a conference of the Taranaki A. and P. Associations would be held in Stratford at an early date to discuss matters of importance to the welfare of the associations concerned

The chairman said some further work was necessary in connection with the gates, on which £7 or £8 had already been spent. The question of arranging for depreciation on the property had been discussed on Thursday night, and it had been decided to make similar allowances to those made last year. The total depreciation allowed for was £l2B. Referring to the autumn show, he said there was not as much life in it as in the spring 9how, which they hoped to make the best dairy show in New Zoj> land. Ho dealt with certain expenditure during the past year on a Bweets stall, additions to the luncheon room and other improvements, but notwithstanding this the overdraft had been reduced by about £3O

The report was adopted. A good deal of discussion tool: place on a proposal by the Jersey Dairy Breeders' Association that a Derb~ Stakes competition should be run by th» association in conjunction with the show. ■Mr. G'Sullivan. briefly indicated the lines on which the competition should be run. It was suggested "that an entry fee of 2s fid be charged for .Terseys up to yearlings, a further 2s Od when they became two-year-olds, and 5s for three-year-olds. Ho thought they would get at least 100 entries.

Mr. Morison asked if the 2s Gd paid for erfr" would go to the association.

Mr. O'Sullivan replied that it would, and added that with a first prize of £ls they should get entries from all over New Zealand.

Mr. Jackson expresed his approval of the prdposal. If the societv was to go forward new ideas must be introduced. Mr. T. Ranford said that one of the objections to the A. and P. show competitions was the small amount of the prizes. He was certain that if (big prizes were offered there would be large entries. This expectation was justified by past experience. In reply to a question Mr. Ranford said the Jeraey Breeders' Association could not guarantee a certain number oi entries.

Tt was suggested by one member that the competition should take the form of a sweepstake, the fees over the three years to be Ifls in each case, and the total to go to the winners with £5 added by the association. The chairman said he did not think a sweepstake—which would not appeal to some people—necessary, He was of the opinion that they should guarantee £ls in prizes, with a possibility of morn bein.« given. Mr. Morison said he would favor making the prize-monev £25 straight out. On the motion of Mr. Jackson it was decided to ask the Jersey Breeders' Association for full particulars as to theconditions of the proposed competition The forthcoming concert was discussed and, on the suggestion of Mr, Huggett, each of the members present agreed to purchase tickets to the value of £l. The president mentioned that the concert would be of a very high order, and would be worthy of a full house. Mr. Jackson said that as it was the last meeting before the election he would like to make a few remarks about Mr. Boon, who, he regretted to find, did not intend to seek re-election to the presidential chair. Mr. Boon had proved himself an excellent president, and, though a town mail, had shown that he was capable of fully appreciating the country ueople's point of view. As president he had spared neither energy nor expense, and had introduced some new and valuable ideas. All members, like himself, had been able to work harmoniously wi'h Mv. Boon

Mr. Matfell said he was pleased to support Mr. Jackson in all lie had said. Though Mr. Boon belonged to the town, lie was sure they would have to so a long way in the country to find a nnviilnnt with the same qualifications lor the office.

The president, in reply, said he had to thank the committee, which had always Wn so ready to assist him. was ihe ■committee, not himself, that had the' work. He had had a good following,'arid; without-'support the cleverrnafr would he,a' failure aa president. T ">» mpm7>ers of the committee were energetic men and were always ready to undertake auv work required. They not only collected money when it was needed,, but gave liberally themselves. was of the opinion that the office of president should not he held too long by one man. By changes they widened and deepened the interest in the working nnd objects of the association. 1 he meeting for the purpoes of disowning the formation of a branch of the V n w Zealand Moderate League in S'rs'.tford has been postponed from Tnesd<># until the following (Wednesday) D'gbt. . ('here is a cold snap approaching. H'l't bother about the breezes or the fro«t. but call at C. E. James' warehouse nnd look at the fine parlor games he has f"r the children, and for dad he has the h"it brands of cigars and Jalso tobacco, *"th the best of pipes to smoke his favorite mixture. For mother there is t sreat variety of reading matter, so «hy not be cheerful and contented, and *'l for a little cost; but remember you tan get it at C- E. .Tames'.—Advt.