MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8497, 29 July 1907, Page 7

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

MEETING. The aunual meeting of the members of the Masterton A. and P. Association was held in the Exchange Buildings, on Saturday afternoon. The retiring President (Mr R. Gray) -was in the chair, and there were over 50 members present. At a specialmeeting of the General Committee held immediately before the meeting the minutes of the last special meeting were confirmed. The motion by Mr G. C. Summerell with to the payment of the current year's subscriptions before members can participate in show privileges was adopted, as was a motion by Mr J. Morris to increase the number of district representatives to 13. The following new members were -elected: — Messrs D. Stillborn. M. E. Elgar, J. Westmoreland, G. H. Ford, A. Gray, N. V. Douglas, Wynn-Willams, W. Kemp, W. A. lorns. The chairman, in moving the f adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, which havt- already been published in the Wairarapa Age, stated that the past two seasons of the Association had been very successful ones. During the year the Ground Committee had expended the sum of £558 on the Showgrounds, making £1,351. for the two years •expended in that direction. As the Show was increasing in popularity it was necessary to keep the grounds up-to-date. The profit during the past year had been only £IOO, but the sum of £l2B had been written off the assets. This was the largest amount that had been written off in one year. The new valuation of the Showgrounds had just beer, completed, and was £4OO above the amount appearing on the balance sheet. The chairman considered that Mr Summerell's notice of motion to ■alter the rules of the Association in the direction of withholding members' tickets until the current year's subscripions had been paid was a step in the right direction, as the magnitude -of the Association now demanded v that it should be run on business lines. In conclusion, he referred in terms of gratitude to the services rendered to the Association by its officers, the donors of trophies and others, particularly mentioning Mr -J. McGregor, an old member of the Committee, who had decided not to seek re-electon. Mr J. D. Cruickshank seconded the motion, which was agreed to without discussion. TheSSSfection of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — President, Mr J. D. Cruickshank; Vice - Presidents, Messrs D. McGregor and W. Cooper; Treasurer, Mr F. C. Lewis; Auditor, Mr J. B. Keith; General Committee, Messrs W. McKenzie, R. Gray. D. McGregor, B. Uayner, J. Morris, W. Cooper, W. Perry, R. J. Dagg, O. C. Cooper, J. D. Cruickshank, G. C. Summerell, T. P. Lett, J. C. McKillop, H. Morrison, F. C. Lewis, J. P. Perry, W. D. Watson, J. B. Moodie, D. Caselberg, J. Strang, W. H. Buick, A. G. Pilmer, R. Johnstone, E. E. Chamberlain, E. Harper, A. J. Percy, C. E. Daniell and G. Shaw. Mr Summerell moved that the meeting confirm the following alteration to Rule 2, Clause D, as decided upon by the General Committee:— "Members' and ladies' tickets shall be withheld from all members whose subscriptions for the current year are unpaid." Mr J. McGregor seconded the motion, which hereon tended would bring the Association into line with similar bodies in the colony. The motion was unanimously carried. Mr J. Morris moved that the meeting confirm the Committee's resolution that the number of members of the Committee be increased to 37, 13 of which shall represent the country districts. The motion was seconded by Mr J. C. McKillop, and carried without discussion. Mr W. Kemp brought forward a resolution that the Association should affiliate with the Royal Horticultural Society. He believed that such a step would raise the status of the Association and bring about more inter provincial competition in horticulture. On the suggestion of the Chairman the mover agreed to allow his motion to be placed on the suggestion book to be dealt with by the incoming General Committee. Votes of thanks to the retiring officers and the secretary concluded the meeting.