MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10299, 31 July 1911, Page 6

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING

Tho annual meeting of members of the Masterton A. and P. Association was- held in Murray's Hall on Saturday last, about sixty being present. Tho chair was occupied by the retiring President (Mr W. Perry). An apology for absence was receivedjrom Mr W. E. Bidwill, who congratulated the Committee upon the success which had attended its efforts during the year. Apologies were also received from -Messrs C. F. Vallance and A. G. Pilmer. A letter was read from Mr D. H. Rait, M.R.C.V.S., offering to give a lecture under the auspices of tho As-. sociation.—The offer was accepted. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET.

The report and balance sheet wero taken as read. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr W. Perry stated that the figures had been looked forward to with some interest. It seemed undoubted, now that the Association had made a wise step in effecting a. change. The visiting exhibitors had expressed themselves highly pleased with the appointments on the ground. The railway arrangements were highly spoken of. The incoming Committee would require to make some better accommodation for exhibitors on the ground. The railway authorities had met tho Association in a splendid manner over the railway siding. The water races and high pressure water supply had proved a great convenience, and the sheep ring was much appreciated. There was, of course, a disadvantage in having an overdraft. This now amounted to £5700. It was hoped, however, that steps would be taken in the autumn to reduce this amount. It was very gratifying that they had a credit balance on the year's working of £290, and this in face of the fact that the expenses were higher than usual. Taken altogether they could feel that the nosition in regard to their new grounds was very satisfactory. The ram fair had been one of the most successful held in the Dominion. The prices obtained had been exceptional. Tho credit for the arrangements on the day of the fair was due largely to Messrs W. D. Watson and R. Cooper. The, membership of the Association had increased during the year by 113,' and now stood at 853. It was hoped that during the year they 'would reach the 1000 mark. Mr Perry commented upon the fact that during the year freezing works had been established in the Wairarapa. The promoters were deserving of the warmest thanks for the success which h,ad attended their efforts. (Applause.) A Producers' Association had been formed in the Dominion during the year, and a representative had been sent Home in Mr Shelton. He thought this Association was' deserving of support. A shipment of chilled beef had been made during the year, and this had arrived in good condition. The export of chilled beef was calculated to increase the price of cattle. An effort had been made during the year to open Continental markets to Colonial produce. The barrier had been partially broken down, and it was hoped that new markets would be found. ■; The farmers of the Dominion, on the whole, had 'had a satisfactory season, and prices were fairly good. Experiments in wheat-growing had been carried out under th< auspices of Mr Bayliss..of the Agricultural Department, and had proved of interest. In conclusion, Mr Perry thanked the Committee for the harmonious manner in which they had worked during the year. He paid a SDecial tribute to the Secretary (Mr G. R. Sykes),and to the railway staff for the manner in which they had handled tho exhibits. He had pleasure 'in moving the adoption of the report. (Applause.) Mr D. McGregor, senr.; in seconding the motion, paid a warm tribute to the retiring Committee, and particularly to Messrs W, Perry, W. J. Welch, and D. McGregor,, junr., who had practically lived for months on the Solway grounds. The Committee was deserving of the greatest thanks for having brought the show to so successful an issue. (Applause.) • The motion for the /adoption of the report was carried . [unanimpusly, v applause. '•<;;■■' r:^' : '.;\ <(■

PATRON. Mr H. Morrison proposed that Mr James McGregor be appointed Patron : of the Association,. He understood itW'Mr A; W.Cave desired t<> b§re- ' 'lieVed'»fi'tlie'positiori:'''; ; 'Mr'Morrison paid a warm tribute to the energy of Mr McGregor, who was one of the oldest'and most respected members of the Association. The motion was carried unanimously, amidst applause. ' Mr James McGregor, in returning thanks, complimented the Association upon the position it occupied, and trusted that it would continue to flourish.

PRESIDENT. | Mr iltigh Morrison, being the ■ only person nominated, was declared elected President for the ensuing year, ' amidst loud applause. Mr Morrison thanked the members for the honour'-which had been conferred upon him. He recognised that he had a strenuous year before him, though not as strenuous as last. He iwould do his best to help the affairs of the Association in a .sound position. The grounds were now ainong the best in the Dominion, and they Were still capable of improvement. The finances

wero in a satisfactory condition, and the assets were much in excess of their liabilities. The overdraft was certainly large, but he hoped that they would be able to reduce it during the year. He hoped that they would be a bio to bring the membership during the coming year up to the 1000. He asked for the loyal assistance of members of tho , Association, and stated that, with the splendid district l>ehind them, they should have no difficulty in keeping the Association in the front rank of institutions of its kind in the Dominion. (Applause.) VICE-PRESIDENTS.

Messrs W. J. Welch and R. J. Dagg •were elected Vice-Presidents, unopposed. Both returned thanks for the honour conferred upon them.

TREASURER. Mr G. C. Summerell was elected Treasures, and returned thanks for his appointment. COMMITTEE. The following Committee was elected in the order in which the names appear : —Messrs J. Strang, W. Perry, Bland Earner, E. Gray, W. H. Buick, A. D. MeMastcr, W. E. Bidwill,' C. F. Vallance. 0. C. Cooper, Q. Donald, W. Cooper, A. J. Percy, G. E. Allen, D. McGregor, G. Shaw, W. D. Watson, J. B. Moodie, H. A. Matthews, H. J. Dagg, E. Harper, J. C. McKillop, J. P. Perry, J. M. James. T. P. Lett, A. Donald, D. Caselberg, R. Morrison, R. Smith, And D. W. Foreman. Messrs H. Evans and J. E. Perry tied for the thirtieth position, and the President stated that it was proposed that the Committee deal with the tie. There was no provision in the rules for dealing with the position, but it was thought that they might "have the services of both gentlemen by appointing one a district representative. ,

NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were elected:—Messrs t. R. Wilton, J. A. S. Heaton, John McLeod, F. A. Jensen, Raymond Lee, D. Flett, J. R. Scholes, Gillies Baird, H. H. C. M. Perry, D. James, M. F. Power, \f2. A. Collin, T. Thompson, R. E. Jones, M. Lavery, Guy Gillies, Wm. McLaren, L. G. Matthews, T* A. Radcliffe, W. Bell, W. Gillespie, Gordon Pilmer, W. Hodgkins, H. G. Dagg, Miss Dora Dagg. AUDITOR. Mr J. B. Keith was unanimously reelected auditor of the Association. .; THANKS. ;■.■■.;:' On the motion of Mr H. Morrison, a hearty vote of. thanks was passed to Mr William Perry, the retiring President. Mr Morrison stated that Mr Perry had presided during the most important year in the history of the Association. His good work would live after him, and the new grounds would be handed down from generation to generation. He need hardly say that Mr Perry would continue to do his best for tho Association. H 9 trusted that be would long he spared to be of service to the Association. Votes of thanks were also passed/to the Building Committee, the scrutineers, and the Press. '