MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9142, 18 July 1908, Page 6

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The annual report of the Maaterton A. and P. Association to be presented to the annual meeting this month is as follows :~~

In submitting the twenty-first annual report and statement of accounts yuur Committee has pleasure in recording another prosperous year for the Association. Show.—The annual Show, which was held on 18th and 19th February last, was the most successful one in thj annals of the Association. The attendance of their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Plunket, at the "coming of age" of the Society tended largely to its success, a record being established in gates and grandstand ingsEntries The total entries in horses, cattle and sheep constituted a 1 record for New Zealand, outsisje the Exhibition Show. Those in fat stock, although most gratifying, would have been much larger but for the fact that the season militated against many breeders showing. To show the progress of the Society, a comparison of entries for the last nine years is | appended:—l9oU, 708; 1901. 1,194; 1902, 1,5(53; 1903, 1,587; 1904, 1,642; 1905, 1,664; 1900, 1,716; 1907, 1,685; 1908, 1,819. It is to be hoped that next year implement makers will exhibit at the Show. We feel sure manufactur • ers will find it to their advantage to be represented. Ram Fair. —The annual Ram Fair, in conjunction with the Wairarapa and East Coast P. and A. Society, was hold on the 20th and 21st February, when 230 stud rams and 2,326 flock rams were submitted, and good prices wer& obtained throughout. Alteration of Rules. —At the last general meeting a sub-committee was set up to revise the rules of the Association, and a number of alterations were recommended. The most important alteration is that which provides for voting for Officers and Committee by post, thus enabling members who live at a distance to take part in guiding the Association's affairs. The ballot will close the night previous to the annual meeting, and scrutineers, appointed by your Committee,, will count the votes next morning and announce the result at the meeting. The usual practice of voting at the annual meeting is dispensed with. Voting papers are issued to members wi*.h this report for the election of officers for the ensuing year. Membership. Our membership shows a total of 670. This is slightly lowqr than last year, owing to the inauguration of the rules of not issuing tickets before payment of subscription. Some of our oldest members took exception to this system, and resigned) but it is hoped that many of them will rejoin in the near future. A committee has been set up to canvass the district for new members, and your Committee ex • pects to be able to report a large increase in our membership at the next meeting. Thanks. —The thanks of the Committee are due to the judges, stew - ards, and honorary officials, and also to those who donated cash and trophies, especially to the donors of challenge cups. Challenge Cups.— The following wins were recorded:—Buick Memorial Cup, Hunters' Leaping Competition, Mr W. Strang's Caroline; Fison Bowl, freezing sheep, Messrs W. and H. Beetham; Manawa Bowl, fat cattle, Mr G. F. Moore; Wolseley Cup, English Leicesters, Mr Wm. Perry; Thomas and Cook, Bowl, farmers' sheep class, Messrs J. McGregor and McGregor Bro9. (tie). - New Showgrounds.—Your Committee, after consultation with several of the loading breeders in Wairarapa and other districts, decided to recommend the purchase of 75 acres of land situated at Solway, about two miles from town, and abutting on the railway line. The proposal was submitted to a general meeting of members on 28th March last, and enthusiastically adopted by a large majority. Your Committee, are satisfied that, when completed, the grounds will be the finest for Show purposes in the Dominion. Satisfactory financial arrangements have been made in connection with the purchase and improvements. An improvement fund has been opened and is meeting with a very hearty response. To date about £I,OOO has been promised, and this sum no doubt will be considerably augmented before the end of July, when lists close. Your Committee regret that a proposal to amalgamate with the Wairarapa and East Coast P. and A. Society was rejected by the Wairarapa Association, as the proposal, if adopted, would have made the combined Wairarapa Show one of the strongest in the Dominion. The present Showgrounds are now under offer to.the Borough Council at a price agreed upon by your Committee and the Council. A poll of the rutepayera will shortly be taken, when, no doubt, the offer will be confirmed and accepted by them. Our next Show will be the last to be held on the present Showgrounds. This will give the incoming Committee ample time to put the new grounds in order for the 1910 Show.

Balance-sheet.— Appended is a statement of receipts and expenditure for the past year. This shows a profit of about £175 on the years' working, which may be considered very satisfa :tory. Retirements.—The following members of the out-going Committee are not seeking reelection:—Messrs Robt. Johnstone, F. C. Lewis, and W. McKenzie. As a mtmber of Committee Mr Johnstone has been identified with the progress and welfare ot the Association since its inception. When the present Showgrounds were acquired he devoted much valuable time and labour in assisting to put it in order, a no very inconsiderable task. Messrs Lewis and McKenzie have also buen very valuable members of Committee for many years, and your Committee desire to place on record an appreciation of the services rendered by these gentlemen. In conclusion your Committee con« sider the time has arrived when the Secretary should devote the whole of his time to the work of the Association, and would recommend to the incoming Committee the desirability of making arrangements accordingly.