NORTHERN A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18087, 31 May 1924, Page 14

NORTHERN A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Rangiora, last night . The president, Mr W. A. Xelcher, presided, and there was a verylarge attendance.' Tho comndttee in its annual , report stated that the membership now stood et 853. The committee appealed to members to endeavour to introduce at least one new member each during tho coming year. It was also desirable that subscriptions be paid more promptly in the future. A number of members had resigned and others have been crossed off. The annual showwas held on November 2nd, fine "weather, large entries and fair attendance of the public contributing toward ita success. A parade of prize stock was held during the afternoon, «nd iron a spectator's point of view was quite the best that had been held for •some years past. The annual ploughing match was held on the- farm of Air A. Cooper a.t Bell's road, Rangiora, and proved ,in every way a success. The thanks of tho committee are due to Mr Cooper for supplying such a splendid paddock lor the match. There were 29 competitors, and some very fine work was done. Unfortunately the weather was bad, which to a certain extent interfered with the . attendance of the public. The Soldiers' Memorial is now on its way and would be finished, within the next few weeks. At present the sum of £133 was standing to/ the credit of the building fund. During the year' the committee had carried out improvements in the produce sheds on the show grounds, and the grounds and buildings were in excellent condition. .The committee had been successful in obtaining that part of the reserve at the north side and adjoining the show grounds, with an area of about 10 acres. This had been fenced and would now make the present ground double in size. Ths finances of the Association were in a healthy condition, showing assrts over liabilities of "21519. The .year financially for farmers had been a very hard one. This wos undoubtedly the result of the flood of May la«t, and more especially the dry weather. Unfortunately maiiy crops did not pay for the labour in' sowing, and harvesting. Wool had been the moat valuable product, and bad assisted both the. producer and the Dominion considerably. Linseed and peas had been very adversely affected by tho dry seasori.. Potato growers had been hard hit, owing to the flood. Dairy produce at the present time was Buffering- considerably, and prices were lower than they have been for some period. Tho price of butter of other countries had. kept up mainly by tho reg-ularitv of tho supply. Lambs were bringing good prices. During the year the Association had suffered severe loss through the death of a. number of its members. The balance-sheet showed receipts £B9l 18a 9d, and expenditure amounted to £876 18s 7d. leaving a cash, credit balance of £l6 U 2d. Tha amount of ass ts over liabilities waa shown as being £1517 3s. Ihe report and l :balance-sheet were adopted. The election of ,officers resulted as followe:—Patrons, Hon., R. Moore, M.L.C., Hon. D-. BuddoM.P,, Messrs D. Jones, G. W. Forbes, M.P., T. Chapman, J. W. Foster, J. L. ' "Wilson, 0. Leech, W. E. Barton, W.,A. Banks and J. it. 1). Johns; president, Mr W. A.. Kelcher; vicc-pteotdenta, Messrs C. Mcintosh and James vVylhe; Genera! Committee, Messrs J. Brosnan, J., k. Burns B. Croft, Geo. Cowans, D. Chapman, ,T.:Coo-per, H./ Dukhoff T. Encison, J. Fleming, S. .Hewitt, G...H, Hassell T 8. HarmaTJ. Inch, G. Loffhagen. B. McDonald, Jas. Petrie, R; Peach, D. Ramsav, P. G. fe"% Smith C.J.. Sk«vington. H. Tallctt, J. Yette. S.-Wood; auditor Mr C. I. Jennings ;-hon: treasurer, Mr W. McKenzier-hon. veterinary surgeon, JVlr At ih* cbhcfueioa of the meeting a. social ovening was held, .1 ~ ■'• \ At tho conclusion, of tho meeting a. social evening was when vaxioua > to<rtts were honoured, 'interspersed witn a ot musical items. During the evening Mr V. I. Jennings presented to the Aseoclation, on behalf *f Mr C, Leech, .an enlarged photograph of th? eurvivors of the first show of the IT A. and' P; Association held on Dertmber/'iWtli, J866. Thb photograph j*as taken «t a reunion .held on February 23id, 1924. On behalf of Mr James Ashworth, Harieston, he also presented the Association with a steel -engraved certificate awarded to him for, the best pair of draught horsea in the- Show. ' •■ "■''■..- The chairman. thtakedV the donors for their valuable; gifts. *_'.;.