A. AND P. SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 19844, 18 April 1928, Page 11

A. AND P. SOCIETY

THE ANNUAL REPORT PUBLIC APATHY The annual report of the committee of tlie Otago A. and P. Society states: —The Winter Show was again a most successful fixture, and the whole of the exhibits were a credit to the dominion. The entries in dairy produce, roots, and other sections were exceptionally good, and the only difficulty at the present time is to find sufficient accommodation to display adequately the various exhibits entered for competition. It is quite evident that the committee must soon seriously consider the question of enlarging the present promises to enable all the exhibits being properly displayed. A most gratifying feature of the show was the excellent entries received practically in all sections. Close on 400 Canterbury farmers accepted the committee’s invitation to visit the show, and from the many acknowledgments received were very much impressed with the visit. The Summer Show was completely spoilt hy a downpour of rain on People's Day, which had a. most serious effect on the gale money. The day’s events were carried through undermost difficult conditions, and tho committee appreciates the assistance received from exhibitors.

The annual Clydesdale stallion show was hold at Taliuna Park in September, and created a considerable amount of interest amongst breeders. From the comments made by those qualified to express an opinion the qualify ot I lie animals paraded in all sections was well maintained. Included in the exhibits were a number of horses which find been lately imported from the Old Country, and certainly this country is under an obligation to those breeders who are prepared to bako the risk and responsibility of importing fresh blood. Considerable interest was centred in the placing of the various horses entered for competition, and it is the society’s duty to use its best efforts in stimulating and encouraging the breeding of Clydesdale horses. The general opinion was that it was the best parade of Clydesdale stallions held by the society, and was the most successful exhibition of its kind held in the dominion.

The Committee reports that the appeal fund stands in (he hooks at .i: 10,000. From this amount debentures to the value ot £5,600 have been redeemed, £4,400 lias been placed on deposit, and over £I,OOO ot the balance has been expended in the erection of permanent improvements at labium Park. For the information of those who so

generously contributed to tho appeal tor financial assistance in the year IP'.’O the committee 1 slates (hat, had it not received that assistance, the society would have been in a most serious financial position. The, saving in interest on debentures redeemed and the interest received tor tlie money placed on deposit lias greatly assisted the committee to meet obligations, most of which arc incurred before tho shows aro held, and must he mot no matter how adverse the circumstances.

Agr icnltnral societies are not run for pure profit—their main objects are extension and promotion ot our primary products, and in encouraging the improvement of our stock. 'Jo be successful they must have a large number of levai members, the support of our principal breeders, and, which is equally important, a reserve fund to draw on if necessary.

The audited balance-sheet shows a loss for the year of £417 His 6d, due entirely to the unfavourable weather experienced at the Summer Show. 'lbis loss, however, includes £156 IDs Kkl depreciation ou furniture and fittings and £od 11s 2d improvements at Tabuna Hark. In addition £2lO 7s was expended in repairs and maintenance on properties, which arc in good order, and the committee anticipates that no heavy expenditure will be required for some” time. With the approval of the Ocean Jlcaeh Domain Board a portion of the sandhills at the back of the cattle pens lias been enclosed, and an excellent public grand stand provided, which will ho much appreciated by visitors. The committee regrets that nothing definite has yet been done in regard to the direct railway connection into Taiiuna Park. Whilst it is recognised that this would he a great advantage to exhibitors to be able to load and unload their stock in the show grounds, the.- question is one that not only involves a considerable amount of expenditure, but a grave doubt exists it the present lino running along the foreshore would he available the conveyance of stock for an indefinite period at a reasonable cost. Jhe committee lias again opened negotiations with the interested parties in connection with obtaining a railway line into the park. The committee regrets that the hold turnip and lucerne competitions did nor receive the support from the farming community that was expected. The entries for these competitions were most disappointing, and the committee sincerely regretted that it was compelled to cancel thorn, but recommended that the incoming committee should again renew this interesting competition of valuable crops. The annual ram and owe (air was held at Burnside in conjunction with the slock and station agents, and. attracted a largo number of buyers Jrom a distance. Although some good prices wore obtained for individual rams, the. value as a, whole were slightly less than hist vear.

A feature ol the? sale ol stud nuns wns Die quality—no inferior stud slock was offered—aiid practically a complete clearance was effected. _ The same remarks cannot bo applied to all the entries in flock rams. Whilst there were some especially good pens, unfortunately ihcro were a numbcr_ of inferior quality and in poor condition. The question of the future policy of the society is exercising: the minds of the committee, and the more consideration given to the question the greater (lie difficulty in arriving at n. definite conclusion. ” Tho problem is a difficult one to satisfactorily answer. There is no denying the fact that each year there is evidently more difficulty in ■securing stock entries, and it is quite evident that a large proportion of the public prefer amusements to seeing a good display of stock. It is a question that will have to bo carefully considered by the incoming committee before the society is committed to any serious liability “in regard to any extensive building scheme. , Two proposals will be submitted to tho annual meeting for members’ consideration—one dealing with the suggestion of restricting the Summer Show to one day, and the other that the show bo held in autumn. According to the rules of the society one-third of the committee retires annually, but the retiring members are eligible for re-election at the annual meeting. Tho following are the names of those who retire this year:—DnnIfcgg. and A. M‘Kay (three vacancies!. Bruce and Clutha—Messrs 11. At. Driver and Walter Murray (two vacancies); Taieri—Air T. J. Gawn (one vacancy).