STEADY PROGRESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 August 1938, Page 9

STEADY PROGRESS

WORK OF MASTERTON A. & P. ASSOCIATION LOSS ON YEAR’S WORKING ELECTION OF OFFICERS In spite of the fact that a loss of £63 was made on the year’s working, general satisfaction was expressed at yesterday’s annual meeting of the Masterton A. and P. Association, with the progress made, and the results achieved. The president, Mr P. R. Welch, occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. Speaking to the annual report, previously published, Mr Welch said that as far as the Show was concerned, climatic conditions were not of the best. A long spell ‘of warm, dry weather before the Show robbed them of a considerable number of lamb entries, and the quality of those that were shown fell short of the usual standard. Then on People’s Day there was a deluge of rain, spoiling what promised to be a record attendance. Had the day been fine he felt they would have collected more at the gates than they received from the wet weather insurance. In spite of the shortage ip the lamb classes, the total entries were slightly in excess of those for 1936, the year before the Jubilee Show. In 1936 the entries totalled 2357, in 1937, 3100, and last year 2383.

A QUIET YEAR Referring briefly, to the balance sheet, Mr Welch said that it had been a moderately quiet year. After writing off the sum of £lBl 18s 3d as depreciation, a loss had been shown of only £63 6s 3d. That was very satisfactory and the association was to be congratulated on such a successful outcome under the conditions ruling. During the year the sum of £251 Is 7d had been spent on maintenance, the biggest item being painting. Only about £5O had been spent on repairs. Dealing with the farm account, Mr Welch said that last year the ewes were shown in the balance sheet at 22s a head. They were sold, however, at an average price of 14s a head, leaving about 8s depreciation, which was pretty solid for one year. After referring to the golf links, and paying a tribute to the good work of the caretaker at the Showgrounds, Mr Welch said that £123 16s 6d had been spent on improvements. Mr Welch expressed regret that the name of the late Mr T. Wagg, a foundation member, had been omitted from the annual report, and he warmly thanked members of the committee for their loyal support during the year. He also paid a tribute to the excellent work of the secretary, Mr R. H. Williams. LOSS NOT SERIOUS The treasurer, Mr C. C. Ruby, said the position of the association could be considered fairly satisfactory. The loss was not serious in view .of the conditions faced last year and the heavy depreciation. Mr J. M. James said the association was to be congratulated on the progress made, and the improvements carried out at the Showgrounds. There was still, however, a good deal to be done. The cattle pavilion and the sheep yards would have to be enlarged sooner or later. There was every possibility of a Royal Show being held here in the future, and it was just as well for the association to put all its buildings in order. Mr Welch said they had concentrated last year on a few essential things. He agreed that the cattle and sheep pens would soon need attention. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron, Sir William Perry, president, Mr P. R. Welch; vice-presidents, Messrs R. E. Gordon Lee and T. A. Brown; hon treasurer: Mr C. C. Ruby; committee, Messrs Hylton Brisco, N. Blatchford, G. Blatchford, J. E. Broad, H. Bennett, P. M. Compton, G. F. Candy, T. V. Caverhill, D. B. Curry, S. H. Cotter, L. Connolly, P. F. Fagan, A. H. Falloon, G. Harvey, W. Harding, J. M. James, W. James, E. J. Jenkins, W. Kemp, R. Liverton, W. G. Laing, L. Meredith, W. F. McLaren, P. D. McLachan, D. S. McKenzie, Donald McGregor, R. M. Perry, D. A. Pickering, F. D. Shaw, A. G. Tinkham; auditor, Mr J. B. Keith; hon veterinary surgeons, Messrs S. Fletcher and W. J. Gray. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring members of the committee, and a welcome was extended to the new members. Thanks were also expressed to Mr T. A. Brown for donating three rooms to the Association during the year.