NORTHERN A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16221, 25 May 1918, Page 4

NORTHERN A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

annual meeting

The annual meeting, of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at Rangiora last evening. There was a good attendance. Mr J. D. Wyllic, prosidont, was in tho chair. Tho president moved that lotters of condolence bo sent to the relatives o each of tho following soldiers who had mado tho xupromo sacrifico since the last meeting of the committee of th» Association; Captain \\. N. Lace, Sergeant James Lilley, Corporal W. G. Mcintosh, Lance-Corporal \\. J. """ son Privates W. B. Bowles, A. Ramsey J. E. Shepherd, T. M. Quinlan and ; J Powell, also to tho relatives of Messrs i J* Sansom and J. O'Hallorau. The motion was carried in silcnce, members standing. In tho annual report „reference was made to the continuance of the war, and sympathy was expressed with tho relatives of "those connected with the Association who had made the supremo sacrifice. The membership of the Association, it was stated, was practically the same as at tho end of £he previous vear; the additions to the roll having about equalled tho j-esignations.-It was desirablo that every farmei should bo urged to join the Association, it being not only an advantage to> oe a member, but » duty to join. .Th® annual Show was again run on patriotic lines, and tho result was very gratifying. Tho committee desired to thank all those who gave so liberally and worked so energetically to make tne , undertaking a success. When it was remembered that many of those who m the past prepared stock for exhibition, wore away on military service the Association was to be congratulated on the number of exhibits at the Show. Unfortunately in the northern district the harvest yields again did not co ™° ! up to expectations, and this was tho more disappointing from the lact or j the prospects, early in the season haying | been excellent. It was possible that , there would be a shortage of gram in ; tho Dominion necessitating further im- | portations from Australia. The Go- > vernment had again called on farmers to grow wheat where at all possible, doubt the appeal, in spite oi . shortage of labour and other difficulties, would receive every consideration. An abundance of feed during the greater part of the season had been a boon to tho dairy farmers and graziers. During the year several improvements had j been earned out on the show grounds, : including an efficient water supply, and generally speaking, the grounds were i in first-class order. The finances of tho Association, as shown by the balance- ( sheet, were in a satisfactory condition, i The balance-sheet showed the ieceipts to have been £2230 lis Bd, in-! eluding balance brought forward £147; 15s 9d. members' subscriptions £232, j spccial prize donations £107 9s 6d, j entry fees £146 15s, general receipts on Show Day £582 16s Id, and sale of surprise packet tickets and donations to tho fund £929 15s 7d. The expenditure was £2022 16s, leaving a credit balance of £207 15s Bd. The chief items of expenditure were: Donations—Y.M.C.A. £250, Navv Leaguo £252 13s 9d, Red Cross £2G7 13s 9d, Lady Liverpool >Fund £256 Ss 9d, B. and F. Sailors'. Society £25, Salratiou Army War Fund £50. other objects £65 (total £1166 10s 3d), prize money £263 3s 6d, and purchase of surprise packets £284 4s 9d. The assets showed a surplus of £1503 17s 8d over liabili-' t.'js.

The repor.t and balance-sheet were adopted, the chairman warmly congratulating the members of the committee on the energetic way thev had worked to ensuro tne success of the show.

111 the election of officers tho Eat rotis and alsfc the president (Mr J. >. Wyllie), and vice-presidents (Messrs R. Mcintosh and W. Stalker) were reelected. There wero thirty nominations for the general committeo .of twenty-four, and the following were fleeted: Messrs J. Brosnan, W. Boyle, B. Ferguson, J. A. Fleming, A. Fear, T. Henry, 1. S. Hanna, F. Johns, J. It. D. Johns. ,"\V. A. Kelcher. R. Marshall, 0. Moore, J. G. Macdonald, C. Mcintosh. ,R. Peach, S. J. Ryan, D. J. Stalker, W. Scoon, C. F. Skevington, J. E. Strachnn, S. Smith, R. Whitham, and J. "Wvllie. Mr W. Mackenzie was re-elected treasurer, and Mr C. I. Jennings auditor.

The president and secretary were appointed delegates to the annual conference of tho Council of Agriculture. At the conclusion of the meeting the usual "social" was hold. Toasts were

interspersed with musical items, and tho champion certificates, and certificates for tho highest aggregate of points in tho various sections of the show were presented to the winners Iv the president. The Mcintosh Memorial Cup for the best draught stallion travelling the North Cnnterhurv district was presented to Mr Neil Cook, who won it. with, Rnby Blacon, and the third grand champion prize, of a trophy valued at. £20. for tho best two-yoar-old draught colt or fillv was presented to the winner, Mr E. E. Jenkins.