MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9557, 2 August 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of members of the Masterton A. and P. Association was held in the Exchange Buildings on Saturday afternoon. There was a large fand representative attendance, and the chair was occupied by the retiring President, Mr D. McGregor, junr.

An apology for absence was received from Mr C. F. Vallance. The chairman, in proposing the adoption of the report and balance sheet, congratulated the members on having had a very successful year, considering the difficulties they had had to face. The balance sheet showed a very satisfactory position and the excess of assets over liabilities as compared with the previous year was over £I,OOO. Large donations had been received for the Solway scheme, and it was most satisfactory to note that in spite of this there had been little or no decrease in the ordinary donations. This he thought was due to the splendid efforts of their late President. The trophy list was also a most creditable one to the Association, when compared with other larger institutions in the Dominion. The membership, however, was not receiving the attention it should, and in this connection the speaker appealed to the members themselves to try and increase the roll. As an illustration of what he meant the speaker stated that a member of the Hawke's Bay Society had made a canvass on behalf of his Society, with the result that he secured no IeBS than JOO additional members. The Masterton Association membership now stood at 700, and a large number were to be added to the list at the meeting. Now that they had definitely decided to remove to Solway after the next Show it was essential to have their finances pteced on a Bound footing. Arrangements had been made to sell the old showgrounds to a private company in the form of twelve shares of £SOO each. (Applause). This was most satisfactory. Regarding the shifting of the saleyards the sub-committee appointed to meet the auctioneers in the matter had been assured that the saleyards would be erected at Solway. They were indebted to the Solway syndicate for the great interest they had shown in the institution, and the fact that they were going to hand over the Hum of about £3OO, which would represent the profit made out of the disposal of the saleyards site, showed that they had the welfare of the Association much at heart. (Hear, Hear!) The last show had been a successful one, and in fact it had proved far more so than the general public thought. The quality j and the quantity "of stock shown was particularly good, and he was of the opinion that the show of tat stock had been one of the best in"New Zealand. The implement section, however, was weak, but he thought that efforts should be made to have , a better representation of machinery from the makers. The Association was losing two valuable supporters in Messrs E. E. Chamberlain and Jos. Morris, who were not seeking re-election on the Committee. During the year some very useful work had been accomplished apart from the crdinary business of show matters. In this connection he referred to the wool classes conducted under the auspices of the Masterton Technical School. The success of the classes had been largely due to the efforts of Borne of their members and also to the secretary, Mr G. R. Sykes. Mr W. Perry had given a most able address at the Showgrounds recently, and arrangements were now being made with Mr Matthews to deliver an address on Romney sheep. These addresses were trf great educational value to all farmers, and he honed trie next one would be largely attended. The speaker then in a general way on the wool, grain and stock markets, and the export of produce from the Dominion. A statement had been circulated that American meat trusts were controlling the retail market at Home, with a view to forcing down prices. The speaker believed, bowev:r, that this was probably due to the "glut," although the influence of the trust may also have been felt.

Mr W. J. Welch seconded the adoption of the report and balance I sheet. Very Kev. Dean McKenna stated that as one of the Directors of the Technical School he could only say that the assistance given to thi wool classes by the A. and P. Association had been greatly appreciated by the .Technical School managers. Thanks were also due to Mr W. ferry for hi 3 recent address on the Showgrounds to the students attending the wool classes. He touched on the progress the Association had made aid wished them every success tfith the Solway scheme. Mr J McGregor sari the progress of the Association, by the details of the balance sheet, was most encouraging, and was a pleasant tonic to those who viewed with apprehension the removal to Solway. The scorn and depreciation of the critics of the proposal had been shown to be utterly unfounded. Thspeaker especially eulogised the magnanimous action of the twelve gentlemen who had relieved the Abso-

ciation's burden of finance by relieving them of the old Showgrounds. ; These members had, said Mr McGregor, been the backbone of the district, and of the Association, and their generosity and disinterestedness was far above the reproaches which it was known had been heaped upon them when the proposal had been originally made to remove to Solway. Mr O. C. Cooper, in supporting the motion, said that Mr D. McGregor junr.'s speech that afternoon was of such a valuable and educational nature that it deserved a hearty vote of thanks, and he moved that this be accorded the retiring President. The vote was carried by acclamation. The report and balance sheet were duly adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follow:—President, Mr G. C. Summerell (unopposed) ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs H. Morrison, and Wra. Perry (unopposed) ; Hon. Treasurer, Mr J. B. Moodia (unopposed); General Committee, Messrs W. H. Buick, O. C. Cooper, W. Cooper. J. D. Cruickshank, R. J. Dagg. E. Harper, J. M. James, R. uray, D. McGregor junr., J. C. McKillop, A. J. StoneWigg, A. J. Percy, J. E. Perry, J. P. Perry, A. G. Pilmer, Bland Rayner, G. Shaw, C. F. Vallance, W. D. Watson, T. P.Lett, W. J. Welch (Masterton), and W. E Bidwill and A. Donald (Featherston), Q. Donald (Tauherenikau), F. W. H. Kumrner (Mauricevilis), H. A. Matthews (Featherston), A. D. McMaster (Mariinborough), J. McMaster (Greytown), R. Smith (Maryborough), J. Strang (Gladstone). The chairman, in announcing the result of the ballot, paid a high tribute to the services rendered to the Association by the incoming President. Mr McGregor said that on the Finance Committee Mr Summerell had been a tower of strength, while as cne of the Association's chief ca»~ vassers he was simply invaluable Mr Summerell had well merited the position into which he was now stepping. (Loud applause). Mr Summerell briefly returned thanks. He said be had hesitated when asked'to stand for the office, having been quite content in the past to work "among the scrum," doing what he might to forward the interests of the Association. He trusted that in his new office he would be able to carry forward the work of the Association in the ai e manner hits predecessors had done. Messrs W. Perry, H Morrison and J. B. Moodie also returned thanks for their election.

On the motion of Mr J. D. Cruickshank, a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring members of the Committee was passed, special reference being made to the good work done by Messrs C. E. Daniell and berg.

Mr Daniell said he was very grateful tor the kind remarks made by various speakers in regard to his services, but he promised to assist the General Committee in the future if they cared to avail of the 'same. (Loud applause).

Mr W. Perry moved pursuant to notice, that Mr J. M. Johnston, of Palmerston North, be elected a honorary life member of the Association. The mover referred to the very valuable work gratuitously and voluntarily rendered to the Association by Mr Johnston in connection with the setting out of Solway grounds. These services, said the speaker, were too well known to need repetition. Mr Summerell seconded the motion, which was enthusiastically carried.

The following new members were elected:—B. Lfiathwick, M. Collins, J. Curry, A. Haughey, J. Kilminster, J. Daysh, W. Miller, J.Boyle. J. McMaater, Rangi Kenoniona, Arch McFhee, F. Meenken, R. Liverton. W. J. Martin, T. Lupton, A. lorns. N. Rayner, J. Milne, F. Evans, D. G. Stewart, A. J. Cooper, ,las. Pay ton, A. D. Gillies, B. Hillas, A. M. Noonan, K„ F. Wilton, L. Cumpton, E. Anstice, N. Jones, M. J. Clune, D. Kossborugh, E. Barton, W. McGovern, D. Monro, C. Belliss, W. S. Pickenson, A. E. O'Connor, T. O'Connor, J. O'Connor, S. Stillborn, J. Langdon, W. Douglas, A. Schofield, J. Lennie, C. Richardson, F. W. Bartholomew, J. O'Brien, E. Sohofield, W. Andrew, E. Ewington, E. Buckridge, A. H. Dagg, Dr Prior, and Dr Gunn.