A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 December 1929, Page 11

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL. MEETING. , ■ The annual meeting of,. the _ , West West Coast Agricultural, Pastoral, and Industrial Association was held today at the Town Hall. Mr H. W. Kitchingham presided, and the following \Vere also present: Messrs D. H. Roberts, T. Topliss, A. M. Carroll, J. Brown, J. Mulcare, W. E. Norton, H. G. Carter, W. Fisher, J. Ryan, T. G.* Kitchingham, P. Hamer, N. B. McCallum, Alan Smith, A. J. Palmer, R. Armstrong and J. Saunders (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. H. McKane, W. Hughes, W. Clayton, and E. R. Moss. The President’s annual reporn, which was adopted, was as follows; — In presenting the seventh annual, re port and balance sheet it is pleasing to note that the year’s operations showed a profit which has been applied in reducing outstanding liabil-

ities. During the year in addition to the ordinary Show, a display of work by school children was held, and a very pleasing feature in connection with this function was the support given to it by the various schools, and the interest taken in it by the local teachers. The display of work was beyond all expectation both as regards quantity and quality, but unfortunately weather conditions and lack of public support rendered the show unprofitable, and in consequence of this, and the removal from the District of Mrs Wray wh(? was the prime moverin starting the Show, and to whom a word of praise is due, it has been al-, lowed to drop; many of the items which were included in the junior show will now have to be included in the main show schedule. The thanks of the Association are due to donors of special prizes, to the judges and the various workers who helped to make the show a success, and it is hoped that the same measure of support will be forthcoming for our 1930 Show. The balance sheet was read and received as satisfactory. The 'President (Mr Kitchingham) intimated that, owing to health, reasons and what he considered his inability to carry on the duties with enough energy, he did not wish to be again nominated as President of the Association. Several members asked Mr. Kitchingham to reconsider his decision, all eulogising the tremendous amount of work he had undertaken in the Association’s interest. Mr Kitchingham finally consented to be nominated and was re-elected President unanimously. Mr A. J. Palmer was re-elected VicePresident. Resignations from the committee were received from Messrs A. E. Eaton, and J. Keller, the remainder being re-elected to the general committee as follow : —R. Armstrong, John Brown, A. Bradley, A. Carroll, H. G. Carter, W. Clayton, T. E. Coates, P. Cornish, A. Cowan, J. Donaldson, W. Fisher, P. J. Fitzgerald, M. J. Fogarty, P. Hamer, P. C. Heaphy, W. Hughes, J. Hutton, D. Kidd, T. G. Kitchingham, E. R. Moss, J. Mulcare, N. B. McCallum, A. H. McKane, P. J. McLean, W. E. Norton,

- W. H. Parfitt, W.. Rankin; D. H. Roberts, Joh'nßy an,. P. Rydeiy W. : G. Scott, D. Shannahan, Allan' Smith, T. Topliss,, E. ‘.Warnes, Kim Williams, Wm. Wilson, F. Wise. Mr Wl O’Malley was also elected to the committee, which was authorised to fill any vacancies occurring. SHOW DATES.

Referring to the fixing of dates for the next Show, the President remarked that a, change in the train services to Christchurch would now allow an alteration to the dates from Wednesday and Thursday, to Friday and Saturday. This alteration was being mooted by several committee members. The new- service would enable exhibitors to get their stuff away on the Saturday night. .Westport had had a successful Show on Friday and Saturday dates. Personally, he was in favour of the Wednesday and Thursday, because ultimately it was hoped to make the People’s Day as big an event as that of the' Christchurch Show, and a close holiday all over the Coast. The dates could be later than previously, because of the possibility of a late harvest interfering with the attendance of farmers. The secretary pointed out that dates early in March would not clash with the Westport Show. Mr McCallum asked if an assurance could be obtained that the new train services would not be discontinued as the demand for coal slackened during summer. The President pointed out that enquiries could be made. No’ doubt' a lot of people, he remarked, would be able to attend a Saturday Show, who were unable to attend on another day. ; Mr Topliss suggested that a one-day

Show be instituted. Jle thought that the revenue derived on the first day did not warrant a two-day event. Several other members spoke on the suggestion, but no motion was forthcoming. It was moved that the next Show be held on. the first Friday and Saturday in March; the motion being held over until after the luncheon adjournment, in order to ascertain whether the day was a pay Saturday, and if train services would be suitable. The meeting resumed after the luncheon adjournment. Mi’ Roberts reported that the train service would be convenient for the altered dates. The Railway Department had signified its willingness 4o put on passenger accommodation on the Saturday night train to Christchurch. Pay Friday would be on February 28, continued Mr Roberts, so that the days suggested would be suitable in that connection. Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1, were decided on as the dates for the 1930 Show. The President pointed.out that it had been suggested that an excursion from Canterbury be arranged for Show Saturday. This was discussed and the Secretary instructed to make inquiries in the matter from the Secretary of the Corsair Bay Social Club and the Railway Department. The Secretary of the Inangahua Association wrote advising that dates for the Inangahua Show had not been fixed, but that they would not interfere with the Grey Show.

The Secretary was instructed to ad; vise tfie Inangah'ua Association of the dates fixed, as requested. Mr E. Warnes was re-elected- hon. auditor to the Association, and a vote of thanks passed for his services in that capacity last year. A vote of thanks was also passed to all those who donated special prizes to the Association. GREY VALLEY FARMERS’ UNION

The ordinary meeting of the Grey Valley Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Ikamatua on Saturday evening, Mr W. Clayton (President) occupying the chair. There was a good attendance of members. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. Teasdale and W., Begg,. Before commencing the business, the President referred to the recent death of one of the members, the late Mr James Doolan, and a motion of condolence with the relatives was carried in the usual manner. In connection with correspondence to hand from the Dominion Secretary, it was decided to urge upon the Department of Agriculture to continue the payments of the bonus on exported pork. The Provincial Secretary forwarded several matters for discussion by the branches. After going fully into the different items, it was decided to reply as follows: River Boards: No action taken. Organiser : Services not required by Branch. Order- System: Subs always paid in cash. Commission : Favour 5/- for each new membersecured other than by order. Wool Producers’ Board: Strongly support. Noxious Weeds Act: No action. Land

Valuation : No action. Railway fences : Although very common occurrence on West Coast to find railway fences damaged by fire, no specific cases can be given as to whether fires caused by engine or by burning off briars etc. Drinking Troughs : Considered none required in branch districts. The question of the marketing of fat pigs, especially at Addington, was very fully discussed, and the unanimous decision arrived at was, that the time is ripe for the establishment of a. bacon-curing factory on the West Coast. As matters stand at present, the producer has to be content with what the Addington “ring” thinks fit to give for- his pigs. This question is to be more fully gone into on the receipt of data as to cost of factory and the prospective supply of pigs. The secretary was directed to communicate with the Nelson Land Board in connection with a promise made to supply grass-seed to a returned soldier farmer burned out of house and farm with the bush fires two season ago. It was stated-that the Board had not redeemed its promise, and as this settler is a genuine hard-working farmer, it was decided to follow the matter up until satisfactorily settled. The vexed question of the congestion at the Totara Flat railway yard again came up for discussion, and a deputation was set up to meet the district engineer on his next visit to the Coast, and place before him the desirability of converting the stockyard siding into a loop. To ask the train-staff to do the work at this

■.' • - * station under existing conditions and run to schedule is certainly expecting the impossible of them, and to say the least is no credit to the Department. Only as late as last Fri/ day, both up and down morning trains were delayed shunting, stock wagons, the down train so much, that it did not arrive in Greymouth until 12.5 p.m. Small wonder- that the public patronise the bus service in preference to the train. The chairman referred'to the recent departure from the district of Mr and Mrs H. Barnes, and the secretary was directed to convey to them the best wishes of ;the Union. Mr A. Bradley presented his report and balance-sheet of the farmers’ ball,

which was very favourably commented upon, members being very pleased at the financial result, and expressing appreciation of the work of Mr. Bradley and his hard-working com’ mittee, and a hearty vote of thanks to them was recorded in the minutes. It was decided to request the Minister of Lands and Minister of Mines to have a report made of the suitability of the Snowy Creek survey track as a route for the road to the Alexander Mine and Upper Grey settlement. It ‘was stated that this track shortens the distance considerably, and that there are no rivers to cross. In the meantime a four or six foot track would be of great benefit to settlers in that outback district.. Mr Holland is to be also asked to give his support.