STRATFORD A. & P. ASSN.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1920, Page 6

STRATFORD A. & P. ASSN.

ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the above Association was held on Saturday afternoon, the retiring president, Mr. R. Dingle, occupying the chair, and about forty-five members were present. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (a summary of which has already been published), expressed his pleasure at the good work done during the year, about 250 new members having been obtained. He expressed his thanks to the members generally for their response to the canvas for donations. It was worth a great deal to the Association to have so many good givers, but at the same time there were sufficient people in the Stratford district to make the Association strongenough by becoming members, to avoid the necessity of going out begging. In regard to the future policy'of the Association, the chairman said" that if they were to keep abreast of other Associations, they must he prepared to spend auout .£2OOO on the Show Grounds. Stock was now much more valuable than formerly, and it was the duty of the Association to provide more cover for pedigree stock. At a conference recently held of A. and P. Associations it was decided to approach the Government with the object of giving the Associations cheap money, to be repaid by means of a sinking fund. The -.Associations did much good work in keeping up the standard of herds and making the country more prosperous, and he thought the Government should recognise this by helping the Associations. He suggested that more suitable accommodation shouhkbe provided at the Show Grounds for the secretary and the Press. Another suggestion was that the old cottage should he pulled down and the timber and iron utilised in providing improvements in the pi" section. °

Mr. J. W. Boon supported the chairman s remarks in regard to better housing for stock, otherwise owners of valuable stock might not bring it for competition.

Mr R. Masters, M.P., congratulated the chairman and executive on the line balance-sheet, which was evidence of the splendid work put in during the year. The subscriptions had increased from £SBO to £702, donations from £283 to £412, and entrance fees showed an increase of close on £IOO. ' He suggested that the aim should be to have a'membership of at least a thousand. The expenditure side of the balance-sheet showed that the executive had been very careful, ,„ sp it e of the great increase in the amount of prize money, which had risen from £4lO to £7BO *' r Masters paiu a tribute to the service*'of Mr. A. J. Barr, the secretary of the Association, who he said was a very 'keen and enthusiastic worker. The chairman remarked that the exe cutive had shown its appreciation of Air Barr s services in a practical manner bv granting him a substantial increase lv salary. Mr. R. McK. Morison and M r . fl j ;„ nell also congratulated the executive on the success of the nast year. The report and balance-sheet were s adopted. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. Mr. Masters proposed Mr. O. Sangs(er for the position of president, anrt stated that Mr. Sangster had been one of the prime movers in the formal inn of ,tlie Association, and was eminently suit«blt in «y«ry htptftt lot tin siiitloa,

Tlie nominal inn was seconded by Mr. A Stewart and carried unanimously.

Mr. Pangster then took the chair, and returned thanks to the members for his election.

Mr- J. VV. Boon was elected vicepresident.

Other officers, elected were: Treasurer, Mr. A. ]{■ Masters; veterinary surgeon, Mr. W. G. Taylor; auditor,' Mr. J. H. Thompson: committee, Messrs- L. T. Alvward, K. Linnell, A. Huggett, W Pettigrew, M. T- Phillips, S. Pitt, H. Hunt, A. Stewart 11, Kemp, J. Crowe, C. Jackson, L. O. Webster, D. Sullivan. W. Pollock, W- H. Kntledge, K. MeK. Morison, E. S. AValker, C- A. Marelmnt, and W. .Tudd.

The president reminded the member!! of the Association's annual concert and dance, and stated that a very good programme was being arranged. It was decided that the show should be held in the soring, and the date to be left in the hands of the executive. Votes of thanks to the retiring president and committee, and to the Press, concluded the meeting.