UNABLE TO ATTEND

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 6

UNABLE TO ATTEND

Governor-General and Manawatu Show ASSOCIATION’S MEETING Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, May 19. Expressing regret that the GovernorGeneral, Lord Galway, wduld be unable to open the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s winter show next month, a letter was received at to-day’s meeting of the association from Major A. Purvis, military secretary to Lord Galway, in which it was stated that the Governor-General bad been pleased to accept the position of patron of the association and appreciated the invitation to open the National Dairy Show. Although not at present able, he would look forward to visiting the show on some later occasion during bis term of office. Acting upon the suggestion of Mr. T. R. Hodder, it was decided to forward to the conference of the Royal Agricultural Society a remit that the Government be asked to restore, to some extent at least, the subsidy on the Royal Show. It was stated that this had once amounted to £lOOO, but was subsequently reduced and eventually withdrawn altogether. Rescinding a previous motion that one of the extra days (Saturday) of the winter show be made exclusively a benefit day for the funds of the association, it was resolved that the privileges of membership tickets be allowed on that Originally it was suggested that all should pay for admission on that day, but it has now been decided that members’ tickets be available for the full six davs of the fixture. Messrs. J. A. Nash and W. Park are to be electee! honorary life members in recognition of their past services, according to a recommendation adopted at today’s meeting. Messrs. J. Batchelar, president, and J. F. Knight, senior vice-president, were appointed the association’s delegates to the conference of the Royal Agricultural Society in Wellington. “The association appears to be doddering along again in the same old groove,” commented Mr. S. R. Thomson when stressing the urgency of taking immediate steps to rearrange the association’s finances. He also suggested that the committee be reorganised, as it had become too unwieldy. Other members agreed with Mr. Thomson, it being stated that the constitution of the association was on far too extravagant a line and would have to be narrowed down to a more practical basis. It was suggested that the present general committee might be retained, but greater power invested in a smaller executive to deal with policy matters. After a short discussion it was decided that a sub-committee consisting of the president and Messrs. S. R. Thomson, T. R. Hodder, J. J. Stevenson and D. Collis be appointed to examine the constitution of the general committee with a view to its reorganisation. More Members Wanted.

A total of 197 new members was elected, the president expressing satisfaction with the steadily increasing membership. Three plans, now in operation, with a view to securing 1000 new members during this year were outlined. The first was the enrolment by each member of the committee of a certain number of new members during the specific period. The second, which was meeting with much success, was a canvass by a city sub-com-mittee of business firms, and the third was a systematic approach to dairy factory suppliers. Arrangements were made to intensify the campaign, in view of the generally sympathetic feeling toward the association, it being pointed out, that additional revenue of £lOOO yearly was certainly worth a determined and collective effort by the committee. It was decided to include fat cattle aud fat sheep classes in the schedule for the next spring show. It was reported that arrangements had been made for a programme of cycling events to be’conducted on the showgrounds oval by the Manawatu Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club on June 23, the King’s Birthday, and for the club’s annual race to Bulls and back to finish at the showgrounds. Both these fixtures would be added attractions a€ the forthcoming winter show. “Advice has been received from the Northern Wellington Federation of Women’s Institutes that competitive courts will be staged at the winter show, similar in style to those of last year, and that the number of courts will probably be about the same,” stated the secretaryorganiser, Mr. Hugh Kissling. “The Motor Traders’ Association is to consider what can be done to provide a number of spectacular motor events to be sandwiched in with the wood-chopping and other events on the show programme for the King’s Birthday,” added Mr. Kissling. “All space has been let except three stands in the motor hall and about ten stands in No. 5 hall. Bookings for sideshow spaces are also heavy.. . Inquiries , are being made into the possibility of providing free pictures in one of the halls during the show. Several suitable films I are likely to be available.”