TAIERI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 14628, 26 July 1911, Page 9

TAIERI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Taieii Agricultural Society held their annual meeting at Outram yesterday. There wero present Messrs J. Kutherl Hid Pii the ehair), Jas. Miller, R. Ctilleu. V. Wriuht, W. Craig, J. T. Muiiro, C'has. Fiudlay. J. Callander, T. J. Gawn, ! Jas. Williamson, D. Wylio, Jno. Campbell, ! I). Grant. J. Young, Alick Scott, A. P. Gibson, F. J. Hartley, S. A. Lyttle, and J. H. Allan (secretary). The annual report was as follows: '"The committee- have much pleasure in submitting their fiftieth annual report and | balance-sheet, and beg to congratulate the society on the success of their, efforts during ttie past 50 year*. At the last animal ' masting Mr Donald Re.id, one of our oldj est members and a past president of the society, w;u> appointed president for the year. The committee are much indebted to him, not only for the very handsome trophy he presented to the society, but also ior much able assistance. The. annual shew was hold on the • 15th November. | 1910. in Mr Churters's paddock, near Mcp- [ trie], special efforts were put lorth by your committee to mark the occasion, and as a jubilee show it proved a record in ! every sense of the word. The draught rings were especially worthy of mention, both as to the number of entries and quality of stock exhibited, and those, of light horses, cattle, and sheep were by no meatus to be despited. The total entries in all classes numbered 753, as against 566 last year, made up as follows : —Draught horses { 205. as against 146; light horses 205. as against 122: cattle 47, as against 56; sheep 135, as against 77 ; dogs 21. as against 16; swine 8, as against 15; and dairy produce 114, as against 154. The balance-sheet shows a loss of £22 15s 3d on the year's work, brought about by extra expense on sheep pens and judging rings, and more so by the great increase* in priw money, fn mem be it*' subscriptions, entry fees, and special prizes a gratifying increase is shown.'' Tho balance-sheet showed that the receipts for the year amounted to £620 12s 6d (including a balance brought forward front the previous year of £l5O 10s sd), j subscriptions totalling £2Ol 14s 4d. special j prizes £ll6 Bs, and entry fees- £ll9 2s. j the expenditute came to £495 7s 4d. £204 6s being paid in prize money, £49 14s 6cl in wages and show material, and £24 15s Id for luncheon and refresluiients. The assets were set down at £127 15s 2d (£l2b 5s 2d being represented by cash in bank). Tho Chairman, in moving the adoption i of the report and balance-sheet, said ho! thought the society could congratulate themselves oti the year's work, especially as regards finance. In discu.-sing the financial positiou at the committee .meetings some of the members had expressed the opinion that they would wipe out the whole of their credit balance in providing m»dals etc.. in a number of sections at their last show, but he was very pleased to say that the society were only £22 15s 3d behind on the year's work. "Mr Reid had given them a shield, which had, no doubt, assisted to increase their entries to a von- great extent. The society had not lost the whole benefit derivable" from the ! presentation of the shield, because it had j to be won mere than once before it became tho abtohito property of tho winner, and he had no doubt this shield would help their entries again at this year's show. Mr J. Miller seconded the motion. He thought it was a pity that their society had nut a. show ground of their own. situated in a more central positiou. Cunsidera.hie expense was emailed iu annually shifting I their material from one show ground to \ another, and he hoped Mime effort would j be made to purchase a suitable show ground j in a central position. He thought the new committee should make inquiries in this direction, and report to the next annual meeting. There had always been a difference, between the residents" of the east and the west as to where, the show ground should be situated, but ho considered the time had now arrived when they should secure a permanent ground. He" did not think it would entail a great expenditure to obtain a. suitable ground, and the rent derivable from it would go a long way to pay the interest of tho cost of a ground. The Chairman said he thought Mr Miller's suggestion a very good one. Witii t suitable permanent ground the interest it the society would be increased. The report was adopted. Mr John Sutherland was unanimously appointed president for the ensuing year) and" Mr W. R. Ciawn vice-president." A vote of thanks to the retiring president (Mr' Donald Reid) was aimed, and Messrs Reid, Joseph Allan, and Dr Allan wore added to the life-membership of the society. The following were elected a committee on a ballot:—Thos. Gawn, A. P. Gibson John Campbell, Jas. W. Blair, W. 11. hj. Christie, John T. Nimnro, A. Johnson Win. Charters, V. J. Wright, D. Wvllie' A. Scott, Win. Craig, D. O'Brien, George Gordon, Wm. JafEray. The Secretary (Mr Allan) presented hn resignation to the meeting. Several members 6poke in high praise of the work done by Mr Allan, and several requests wore made that ho should withdraw hie resignation. Mr Allan, however, stated that he could not now epare the time necessary to properly look after tho secretarial duties, and it was then decided to accept the resignation with regret, and that steps be taken to at once fill the position at the present salary of £25. It was also decided to vote Mr Allan a bonus of £7 10s. This year's show will be heJd on November 21, at Allanton.