WAIKATO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 75, 30 March 1899, Page 2

WAIKATO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the above association was held at Ohaupo on Tuesday. There were about forty members present and Mr N I. Hunt, vice-president, occupied the .chair. The secretary read the report and balance sheet, which has already been published in our columns.

The Chairman said that since the report had been printed the secretary had collected about £30 in members' subscriptions, so that practically they had about £100 in hand over the year's transactions. The original cost of the yards had been written down 10 per cent, each year, and they were a very good asset. The report and balance sheet were adopted. . The election of officers was the next business. Mr R. Reynolds proposed Mr John Fisher as president. Mr Fisher said he thought the election of officers shoula be deferred until after the question of site had been dealt with, and unless this course was taken he would refuse to take office. On a vote being taken this was £t oT66CI -"to. "The secretary fead a letter from the "Waikato Park Association refusing the association's offer oj£ £25 a. year for the use of the show ground. The committee appointed for the purpose reported as follows: Your committee have been offered a site at Mrs Jolly's farm at Frankton containing about 16 acres, which can be purchased lor £300. The removal of the yards we estimate will cost £75 and new timber £25. The committee have now under offer a grandstand which when complete will hold from 600. to 700 people, and this is estimated to cost £150, making a total of £550. To meet this liability the amount of donations promised towards this fund totals £100, to which must be added £50 from the funds and £50 from subscriptions. The balance- (£350) they propose to raise by loan, which if done at 5 per cent, will leave £17 10/ interest per annum to pay. , ,- , The Chairman explained that it.would be necessary to incorporate the associs^ tion before the loan could be raised. After considerable discussion of an animated nature \ -■ -\ /,". ■ -y ■ Mr R. Reynolds proposed that the association should have no further dealings with the Waikato Park Association regarding'the show ground. • This was seconded by Mr Dodd, and carried by 21 to 7. The speakers warming to their work, the discussion became somewhat heated, and several members left the room. On seeing, this Mr J. Fisher proposed that the Accociation should be wound' up while the finances were in a satisfactory 'condition. This, was seconded by. Mr I. Coates, but the motion was afterwards withdrawn. Election of officers:—The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: .President, Mr J. Fisher; vice* president, Mr N. I. Hunt; auditors, Messrs J. Edgecombe and Farrer. vThe names of Messrs Jno. Hutchinson, M: G. Farrer, Jas, McNtcol, C. F. Storey, R. Seddon, S.- Steele, G. E. Clark and I. Hodgson were a.ddefi to the existing committee. The general committee was empowered to make arrangements for holding the next show in October, also to acquire a new ground: and- erect the necessary buildings.

A vote of confidence was passed to the widow and family of the late Duncan McNicbl, and votes of thanks to the South Auckland Racing Club for the use of the grandstand, the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Co. for the use of offices, and the auditors for their services were passed,