WAIRARAPA PASTORAL & AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3171, 23 April 1909, Page 5

WAIRARAPA PASTORAL & AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The following is the annual report of the Wairarapa ai:d East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society : Gentlemen,— In submitting this report and balance sheet for the past year, we have to congratulate the members upon the splendid manner in which they responded to the occasion, and made the 1908 show such a pronounced success.

The annual Show, as to the number of entries, was a record. The quality of the stock exhibited was also very good One of the chief features of the show was the parade, which is acknowledged to have been the best ever seen in the Dominion, and the stewards who had charge of the game are deserving of very great credit. You will notice that the overdraft at the Bank of New Zealand's in excess of that at the beginning of the year, but when all the assets have been realised and outstanding accounts paid, the amount will be reduced to within a few pounds of last year's balance. Prize money at the last show was increased, the amount paid being £125 in advance of 1907 figures, and as a result outside entries were considerably in advance of the previous year's entries. There was an increase in entry fees of £SO ss. During the year improvements as outlined in the balance sheet have been carried out to the extent of £BS 13s sd. Gate receipts show a falling off on the previous year's figures of £2B lis 3d, which is accounted for by thejncrease in .membership. Donations in cash and trophies were £122 short of 1907 receipts.

It is pleasing to note that the membership has increased materially during the year, notwithstanding numerous resignations, and the membership is now 553. The butter fat competition inaugurated last year was a complete success, and promises to be more popular in the future. Mr H. Feast, being the owner uf the winning cow, holds the challenge cup presented for the competition in this section till the 1909 show.

Mr D. Noake's Mignon having won the challenge cup in the jumping competition last year for the third time in succession, the cup now becomes the property of Mr Noake. The other challenge cups were won by Mr W. McKenzie's'Mahomet, best lady's hack (won outright); Messrs Nelson Bros. Quibell's Cup for stud sheep; and Messrs Nelson Bros'. Douglas Cup'for Southdown sheep. Offers have been received from Mr D. Noake of £lO towards the cost of purchasing another challenge cup for the jumping competition; from* Mr E. Eagle junr. of a Jersey bull calf, value £lO 10s; and from Mr D. Buchanan junr. of an Ayrshire bull calf, value £lO 10s, ftp the best Jersey and Ayrshire co.. the 1909 butter-fat competition, respectively. These offers will be dealt with by the incoming committee. Your committee wishes to thank [ all those who contributed towards ' the prize fund, and also the Belvedere, Dalefield, Parkvale and Taratahi Dairy Companies, for the challenge cup presented for competition in the butter.fat competititon. The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Auditor, and a proportion of the committee retire according to the rules, and you will be called upon to elect their successors. HENRY R. BUNNY, President.