THE SHOW.

Feilding Star, Volume 3, Issue 576, 30 May 1925, Page 7

THE SHOW.

A PROSPEROUS YEAR M EM P> EUS’ AN NUAL MEETING LAST NIGIIT RETIRING PRESIDENT’S I N TRE ESTI,N GRE VIE W Unusual interest attached to the annual meeting of members of the Feildiug A. and P. Association held last night in the Euro ugh Council Chambers, and there was a very large attendance. Mr J. G. Cobhe, the retiring President, occupied the chair. The annual report (already published) was taken as read. Mr Cobhe said: In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet for the past year it gives me pleasure to state that, as shown by the balance-sheet, the year has been a successful one for the association. The nett profit amounts to £406, while the indebtedness of the Association has been reduced to £371. Our total assets to-day amount to £‘4337, so that financially we are in a very sound position. You all remember the conditions prevailing at the time our Show was hold ; your committee had the heavy responsibility of dc aiding almost at the last- moment whether to follow the example of other associations. and either abandon or postpone the show, or cany ou. Fortunately the right course was taken, and although the then prevailing epidemic kept all the children and many of the parents away, yet the show was a success.

The Ram Fair, held on the two days following the show, was most successful. It was, as the report states, “well organised, well -conducted. and entirely successful.’’ Great credit is due to Mr A. P. Francis, who had charge of the arrangements, and to his exceedingly capable helpers. 1 feel I am riot going too far when 1 say that the jFoilding Rain Fair will, before long, be the most important event ol its kind in the Dominion. The Committee is deeply indebted to those breeders who donated rams, during the Fair, to the Association thus greatly helping its funds.

A deal of the success of flic ; Feildiug Industrial A. and P. Association is due to the practical ' knowledge of the members of the Committee, and the cheerful manner in which that, knowledge has always been placed at the service of the Association. This district is well known as one of the greatest stock breeding centres in New Zealand, and we have been fortunate in having on our Committee men who are recognised throughout the Dominion as stud stock authorities. Our Show has always been greatly helped by the willing work of our junior stewards They never seemed to tire, and always seemed willing to do two men’s work. We have also been fortunate in ou- judges, their work has been well done, and although they have not been able to give prizes to every exhibitor — "yet on the whole, their decisions have been satisfactory. .1 should like to refer to the extremely pleasant relations existing between the local railway official and the association. The Feildiug stationmaster, Mr Petrie, is most helpful and obliging, and is not only willing to do all he can for our association, but he does it, in such a cheerful •maimer that it is a pleasure to do business with him. Deference must be made to the extremely efficient services rendered io the association by Mr E. H. Fisher. Mr Fisher has been secretary from the beginning; he occupied that position with the old Industrial Association, out of which the show has grown and has filled it ever since, 1 hope wit to himself, but certainly to the satisfaction and prof of the association. As this is,. in all probability the last .meeting of the association at which I shall be present in any official position, and as I have been a member of your committee > for 23 years, you will, I hope, pardon me. if 1, for a, very few minutes, refer to the past history of tin’s. A. and P. Association. As most of you are aware, this very properotis body is the offspring of tiie Industrial Exhibition held in Feildiug in March, 19Ob. That exhibition was a big success, and in .spite of the fact that a large temporary wooden building had to he erected and afterwards dismantled- when everything was squared up there was a surplus of about £2OO. And that £2OO was used to start the first Feildiug Agricultural Show in 1905. The stock entries on that occasion numbered <lO9 and the competition' entries 140. The show has been held every year since, and lias steadily advanced, each year having shown a profit with one exception, when

we encountered very wet weather. Th ose of us who have watched the show, during all these years, have noticed a great improvement m the quality of the stock exhibited. 1 think this has been even most marked than any increase in the number of entries. I think lam entitled to say that the show has always been well conducted, the members of the committee have been most painstaking and have done everything reasonably possible to ensure its success, and to eater for the convenience of exhibitors as well as the public. ; All our past presidents arc still living with the exception of Mr Alfred Richmond and Mr Ernest Short. M r Richmond was President when (he first Agricultral Show was held. He was a courteous, kindly gentleman, who always did his best for the association. The late Mr Ernest. Short was a tower of strength to the association. He was not only a most liberal subscriber to its funds ,but in addition, his great ability, his rhrewd common sense, and Ids unique knowledge of stock were always at the service of the association.

It is a good sign that o many of our young men are taking an active interest in matters pertaining to the show. To them 1 would say, “your seniors have given you a good foundation upon . - which to build, see that you improve upon and make the fullest use of their work.” I predict a great future for our show and ram fair. We have got the land, wo have got the climate, we have got the stock, we have got the breeders. If we fail to make the most of our opportuni ties the fault will be entirely our own.

Mr H. ,1. Booth seconded the adoption of the report and balancesheet, saying the President and Committee had done very well in coming out with a credit in such a disadvantageous year. Mr A. Campbell thanked! the President for the efficient way in which lie had conducted the association’s affairs during the past year, which had helped so much towards it success. He regretted exceedingly that Mr J. G. Cobbe was not going to be a member of the committee for a further term. Mr J. W. Bramwcll (lion. treasurer said Mr Cobbe had been one of the ablest presidents the association had ever had, and he regretted Mr Cobbe was not to he officially connected with the assoei ation'iany longer. Mr B ram well pointed out with regard to the finances that very soon they would be rid of the overdraft, which had been a disadvantage ‘to the associ-

ation. As soon as this overdraft was wiped out they could go ahead with improvements on their own grounds. Mr Bramwcll was very pleased to see so many young men coming forward as members of the committee. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. Others business transacted will be found reported elsewhere in today’s Star.