FEILDING A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 274, 24 May 1907, Page 4

FEILDING A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL REPORT. i Tho General Committee have prepared the following report of work done for the year ending 31st March, 1907:—Officers and Committee. — The VicePresidents elected by the General Committee in April, 1906, were, Messrs J. Campion, C. A. J. Levett, J. R. McLennan, and W. J. Phillips. At the annual general meeting, held in May, 1906, Mr L. E. Jackson was elected President, Mr E. Goodbehere hon treasurer., and Messrs H. J. Booth, J. W. Bramwell, J. G. Cobbe, N. Gorton, J. Knight, W. Reid, and W. A. Sandilands were elected members of the General committee. The following members of committee remained in office, Messrs A. H. Atkinson, W. E. Baker, W. T. Bowater, J. Bruce, Hugh Burrell, A. Campbell, F. F. Haggitt, F. Y. Lethbridge, A. R. Mayo, J. McLeod, J. S. Mills, F. C. Smith, E. J. Wackrill, and J. Wilson. Mr O. McElroy was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Mr F. C. Smith. Your Committee wish to place on record their appreciation of the very valuable assistance to this Association by tho late Mr F. C. Smith, who was one of the original promoters, and a member of this Committe from its inception. Autumn Show. — Believing that tho time had arrived when it would be necessary, in the interests of the Association, to hold a two days' Show, your Committee, after careful consideration, decided to do so, and fixed the dates for the sth and 6th of February. Rain on both days largely prevented people from outside districts attending, and spoilt the prospects we had of a large financial success; but in other respects the Show was an undoubted success. The entries in nearly all classes were a considerable increase on last year, and totalled 1122, as against 864 in 1906. The quality of the exhibits was mostly good, especially so in some of the dairy classes: Entries in the classes for fat cattle and purebred cuttle were disappointing considering the liberal prizes offered, and it may be advisable to revise these classes another year. Taking it as a whole, it may be said that the Show was a good one, and is now firmly established as a two days' fixture, and if continued to be carried on as a practical utility Show, making grade and fat stock the strong feature of it, we do not consider any anxiety need be felt for the future. Ram Fair—The associated auctioneers were waited on by representatives of this committee and asked to hold the annual Ram Fair (under the auspices of this Association) the day after the Show. This they consented to do, and the Fair was held on February 7th, with, we believe, very satisfactory results. By holding the Fair directly after the Show two advantages are gained. One is that there is more inducement for breeders to enter their stock in the Show, and another, and more important one, is that farmers can gain a good deal of practical information at the Show, where sa many crossbred and purebred stock are exhibited, and will be able to make use of this information the next day when selecting their purebred stock. Worked together, the Fair must help the Show and vice versa, and we trust will be continued. Technical Education. — A grant of £10 10s was made to the Feilding Technical School Committee, who, we believe, are doing good work, not only in the town classes, but by endeavouring to extend the benefits of technical — or practical — education to our country centres. Agricultural Education.— With a view to encouraging practical agricultural education in our country schools, prizes of £5 ss, £3 3s, and £2 2s were given for the best set of school gardens. Although late in the season when the schedules were sent out, eight schools entered. The prizes were very kindly presented by Mr J. G. Wilson on the second day. The system of teaching agricultural education now in force must prove a very great benefit to the scholars in our primary schools, and is worthy of the assistance of all A. and P. Societies. A resolution on this subject has been passed to come before the Agricultural Conferenc in Wllington. Shortage of Stock Trucks.— Great inconvenience and serious financial loss has been caused all. over the colony through want of sufficient trucks to carry fat stock when ready for the freezing works. In this district it has been felt very acutely. The Committee, working with the Executive of the Manawatu A. and P. Association ,arranged a meeting at Palmerston North at which the Manawatu Railway Company and the Government were represented. Little satisfaction was obtained, but a small committee of the two Associations was set up to work in the matter, and it is hoped another meeting will shortly be held in Wellington, when the necessity of providing more trucks will be brought prominently before the Minister of Railways. A resolution on this matter has been passed by the commitee and will go before the Agricultural Conference in Wellington. Finance.— The balance-sheet attached shows the present financial position of the Association, and may bo considered satisfactory. A considerable amount has been spent in providing material for hurdles and also on permanent fixtures, which will lessen the necessary expenditure on next year's Show. The item of £440 for donations is very satisfactory, and shows how liberally the Association is being supported. The Committee wish to thank, on your behalf, .all those who have contributed to this fund. It may be some satisfaction to our successors to know that .many liberal offers of support for the coming year have already been received. Judges.— The Committee were very fortunate in securing some of the best judges of stock in the colony to adjudicate at the Show, and are greatly indebted to them for the generous way they have treated the Association, in nearly every case refusing to take any remuneration, or even out-of-pocket expenses. Thanks.— Your Committee wish to thank all those who have so willingly assisted with the work of the Association, particularly Mr N. Gorton, who has givn valuable assistance in planning yards and erecting pens, and, as senior steward of the competition classes, contributed very largely to the success of the Show. Secretary. — The labors of the secretary necessarily increase with the growth of the Association, and the Committee wish to record their appreciation of the efficient and courteous manner in which your secretary has carried out his duties. Retiring Members of Committee. — The following retire in accordance with the rules of the Association, Messrs A. H. Atkinson, Hugh Burrell, A. Campbell, F. Y. Lethbridge, A. R. Mayo, J. McLeod, and J. S. Mills. Attendance of Committeemen. — There have heen fourteen meetings of the General Committee held during the year, at which the attendance exclusive of officers, has been as follows:—Messrs H. J. Booth, Hugh Burrell, J. G. Cobbo, W. Reid, 14; J. Knight, W. A. Sandilands, J. Wilson, 13; W. E. Baker, 12; A. H. Atkinson, W. T. Bowater, N. Gorton, A. R. Mayo, J. McLeod, 11; J. W. Bramwell, 10; J. 8. Mills, 9; A. Campbell, F. F. Haggift, 8; O Mcllroy, 7; F. Y. Lethbridge, E. J. Wackrill, 6; J. Bruce, 2. The balance-sheet shows the receipts (including a balance of £416 19s 7d brought forward) to be £2057 2s 3d, and thhe expenditure, less balanoe in hand of £270 12s 6d, at £2057 2s 2d. The assets are £833 17s lOd, and the liabilities total £52 6s.