STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc, left with Mr H. 1. Hopkins, bookseller, will receitc prompt attention.) A. AND P. ASSOCIATION, ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Stratford A. and P. Association was held in the Town Hall on Saturday. There was an attendance of about forty, and Mr. J. W. Boon, president, occupied the chair. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated, inter alia, that, owing to the influenza epidemic, the original show date had to be abandoned and the show was held in February in perfect weather. An ice cream stall in concrete had been erected, was controlled by the ladies, and proved a great success from in financial point of view. A weight-guessing pen had also been erected in concrete with iron rails, and was an undoubted improvement. Again the kindness of the ladies was evinced in the catering, and everything went well. The grounds had been leased for a term of six months from March 1, and cattle hod teen grazed in place of sheep, as by this means it was hoped to get rid of some of the utiwai, which had been spreading. The profit and loss account showed the following iterts:—Expenditure: Advertising and printing £203 (is 3d, cartage and railage £23 9s Bd, depreciation £122 5s 4d, insurance and rates £27 5s lOd, interest account £173 6s, judges £2O 10s, gate-keepers, etc., £32 12s, band £ls 10s, catering expenses £lO4 4s Gd, sweets stall expenses £67 4s tid, petty cash, stamps, e.te., £62 10s, prize awards £444 2s 6d, Tepairs and renewals £25 5s lid, show expenses £IGI 8s 2d, secretary and travelling £204 Os 2d, sundry expenses £l3 4s Id, prizes donated £39 Os, breakfast and lunch £O2, balance £927 9s 9d; total £2758 2s Od. Receipts: Balance £903 9s 7d, donations £283 10s Od, entry fees £192 10s Gd, gates and stands £209 15s, concert and dance £46 10s Od, catering receipts £145 8s 9d, catalogues and advertising £l4 5a 9d, weight-guessing £33 16s, side shows £l7 8s 6d, privileges £2l, sweet stall £llß 15s lOd, rents £B4, subscriptions £SBO 16s 6d, sundry receipts fcs 4s Id, donations in prizes £39 os, breakfast and lunch £62; total £2758 2s Gd-

The liabilities were shown as £3953, including mortgage £2OOO, bank over-d-nft £924 14s 7d, sundry creditors £62 12s 8d; balance £960 9s 9d. The assets were as follows: Land £2045, grandstand £420 18s lid, dog pavilion £194 3s, horse and bull boxes £ll7, pens £ISO 6s 9d, plant and general £96 7s lid, luncheon rooms £651 13s, tea kiosk £94 10s 9d, . weight-guessing pen £22 9s, catering plant £93 10s lOd, other items £3O 14s; total £3953.

The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said they had been rather unfortunate during the year. They had lost several of their members through the influenza epidemic, as a further result of which the show had to be postponed when within twelve days of the date originally &;x&. To give relief to those who were down with influenza bodies of men were organised to milk their cows, and the advertising and other arrangements in this connection cost about £l2. On the day of the show a race meeting was held at Wanganui and a cattle show at Masterton. On account of these attractions there were very few side shows at the last show, and the proceeds from this source fell away from £SO to £l7. As shown on the balance sheet, certain improvements were made on the grounds during the year. These included a tea kiosk, weight-guessing pen, and catering plant A heavier depreciation had been allowed for than previously in writing down the value of their buildings- The tea kiosk last year had been run by a committee of energetic worers, and the profit of £4l was good, considering that the building only cost £9l The guessing pen had been erected in concrete and the posts of the old one had been used in the new sheep pens. The sheep pens had been moved, and were much more satisfactory than formerly. This had been done by free labor. Comparing the present with previous balance sheets, he found that this year £323 had been given in donations and trophies, while last year the amount was £252. Had it not been for the epidemic, he was sure the amount would have reached £4lO. The entry fees totalled £192 this year, against £274 last year. The gates and stand takings last year totalled £248, while this year they were only j £209. The side shows only brought in j £l7, against £6l the previous year. The advertising had risen from £172 | to £203, but this was accounted for by the postponement of the show, which j meant extra advertising. He thought the position, in view of all the cirenmI stances, very satisfactory. Their success had been due to the. secretary and the committee.

The president then outlined the condiof the proposed Jersey Derby, to be held in connection with the next Stratford show, and said he was sure the competition would be a great advertisement for them. The committee would, however, have to go carefully into the proposal before accepting it. They would also have at the next show the Ayrshire championships for the North Island, so that it should foe the most interesting show yet held.

Mr. Dingle, in seconding, said that there were many members who thought the amount charged for luncheon was too much.

The chairman said the charge had been fixed at 3s after inquiry as to the charge made at race meeting's. Now inat the war was over it might be wise to go back to 2b.

Mr. T. Reader thought the increased value of the property should bo shown on the balance sheet.

Mr. Were urged that provision should be made for. supplying hot water at the show without the delays that have occurred in the past. The chairman said that about ten times as many people were picnicking last year than the year previous. Mr. R. Masters congratulated the society on the present position. Taking the difficulties they had to .contend with, they had done very well. It should be mentioned, however, that members' subscriptions had fallen away by £.IOO from what they were two years ago. » The motion was carried.

The following officers were electod: President, Mr. R. vice-presidents, Mr. Huggett, Major J. B. Hine, M.P., J. W. McMillan (Mayor), and Mr. 15 Walter (county chairman); treasurer, Mr. R. Masters;, auditor, Mr. J. H. Thompson; ht>n. veterinary surgeon. Mr, Taylor; committee, Messrs C. Jackson,; [Pettigrew, Linnell, Reader, Waite, Ha.r- ---| rison. Pollock, O'f-iullivan, Kemp, Walker, ,W. Judd, Rutledge, MeJCtian, Mowwui,

Clemow, T. Ranford, G. Sangster, Boon, Mart'ell, anil Fenwick.

On the motion of Mr. Linnell, seconded by Mr. Ranford, it was decided that the next show be held in the spring. Mr. Campbell moved, in accordance With notice of motion: "That the association procure office accommodation of their own."

The chairman seconded, pro forma, but thought they should, for ,tho present, be satisfied with things as they were. He would prefer to see the matter left with the committee.

Mr. Jackson said Mr. Petrie was about to erect a two-storey building on the corner of Broadway and Regan Street, and they could, by making arrangements now, have a room constructed to suit their purposes. Later they may not be able to get a room. He moved: "That it be a recommendation to the committee to procure rooms." The motion wag lost.

Mr. Were said they were running in the Toko district herd competitions in connection with the Stratford Hairy Company. Mr. Dean had suggested some alteration in carrying out these competitions At present the competitions were for herds of up to 20 cows, and Mr. Dean suggested that there should be two prizes—one for herds up to 20 and one for herds of over that. He would suggest that the association give a challenge trophy for each class. He would donate £5 5s himself, and would move that it be a recomendation .to the committee to give trophies as suggested, the trophies to be awarded on factory returns

Mr. Sangster said he would follow Mr. Were's lead and give another £5,55. The motion was carried. A vote of thanks to the president terminated the meeting.

BOWLING CLUB. The Stratford Bowling Club held their annual meeting on Friday evening. Mr. W. McDonald presided. The chairman, in reviewing the year's work, said lie was pleased to state that the overdraft at the bank had been reduced, and trusted that it would disappear altogether very soon- Financially the club had had a good year. He welcomed tha formation of another club, which would be in the interests of all bowlers. He regretted that one or two irresponsible individuals had made statements regarding the conduct of the club during the year and had besmirched its good name. Personally, he preferred to treat, the statements with contempt. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. J. W. McMillan; vice-president, Mr. J. S Lyons; secretary, Mi. G. D. McPherson; treasurer, Mr. J. C. Allen: warden, Mr. W. Harris; auditor, Mr. P. Skoglund; committee, Messrs C. Martin, W. McDonald, F. J. McDonald. G. Smart, and D. Carman; selector, Mr. C. Martin; delegates, Messrs J. W. McMillan and W. McDonald. Nineteen new members were elected. It was decided that it be a recommendation to the committee to consider the question of la. universal Saturday half-holiday. A resolution was carried recommending the committee to have the balance sheet printed and circulated to members before the annual meeting. A proposal that the subscription be £2 12s, reducible to £2 2s if paid before December 1, was lost. Five resignations were received with regre.t.

GENERAL. The Diggers' Ball was held on Thursday night, and was one of the most fiuccessful functions of its kind that has been hold for some time. The secretary, Sir. Gray, and his two assistants, Messrs Gorahaty and Kelly, are to be congratulated up on the success which attended their efforts. Messrs Grubb and Edgcomho were responsible for the floor, and, with Mrs. George's orchestra and the attentive M's C, Messrs Skoglund, Tiznrd and Aitken, dancing was thoroughly enjoyed The decorations considerably altered the appearance of the hall and supper room, and were artistically carried out by Mrs. Moon and her assistants, Messrs Edgcombe and Dodds. For the excellent lighting effects, thanks are due to Mr. Holland. The supper arrangements, which were under the control of the young lady shop assistants, were well carried out, the tables being laden with good things kindly provided by the public. Messrs Rawles and Rawles'were generous enough to give the use of their car for collecting the food. About 400 sat down to supper, and the waitresses and kitchen staff had a very active time, but attended tirelessly to their duties. Encouraged by the success of the ball, the young ladies intend to hold another in aid of some deserving object nt an early date.

The Mayor is convening a meeting for Wednesday evening next to discuss the question of forming a Stratford Railway League-

In a cribbage match against the Denbigh Road Club, Stratford Card Chib won by one game. The winners were entertained by the Denbigh Road Club. At the Magistrate's Court on Friday, before Mr. Poynton, S.M., Charles Bridger claimed from J. Black the sum of £3 Is for damage alleged to have been caused to a motor lorry in a collision with a motor cycle ridden by defendant. The case was apparently the result of a misunderstanding. Black, in the first instance, agreed to pay, and did pay a certain amount, but took exception to the final claim. Judgment wass given for plaintiff for the full amount with costs £2 Ms.

A ladies' bogey match played on the Stratford links on Friday resulted as follows: Mrs. Richards (hep. 27) (i down, Mrs. Stanford (7) 8 down, Mrs. Budse (15) 8 down, Mrs. Glasgow (10) 8 down, Miss Hawker (37) 8 down, Miss Rangster (19) 0 down, Mrs. Copping (27) 9 down, Miss Wright (19) 10■ down, Mrg. Howard (27) 10 down.