A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 73, 1 April 1901, Page 3

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above Association was held on Saturday afternoon, there being present:—Messrs Macfarlane (President), Kirkpatrick, Bright, Watson, Gray, White, Barker (4), McLaurin, Dobbie, McLean, Guthrie-Smith, W. W. Smith, Holden, Dewing, Evans, White, Partridge, A. F. Kennedy, Sherratt, Jackson, and Cameron. The President read the report, which congratulated the Society on the soundness of the position. Receipts from the Show amounted to £450 5s 6d, as against £368 10s 9d for the previous year. The assets of the Society, after deducting liabilities, total £415 15s lid, as against £417 Is 4d shown in last year’s balance-

sheet. The cost of removal and cancellation of lease entailed an expenditure of £126 15s 2d, which practically represents the profits for the year. The fact of the liabilities being much larger than in previous years is explained by the officials having overlooked the date of closing of the financial year. The Committee, however, reported that all outstanding liabilities have been discharged, and the affairs of the Society are all in sound working order. The change of the Show grounds from Makaraka to the Park Company’s grounds had been amply justified by the largely increased attendance, the gate takings being £177 12s 6d, as against £llO Is 6d last year. Entries and privileges also showed a corresponding improvement. When the railway is completed the Committee expect to see the attendance very largely increased. The membership is increasing, there being now 225 members as against 161 members during the previous year, and the Com-

mittee strongly impress upon members the advisability of inducing as many as possible to join. The Ground Committee had got tlie levelling of the ground well under way, and expect to add greatly to

the comfort of sheep exhibitors at the next Show. In response to the request of this Society the New Zealand Sheep Breeders’ Association consented to re-opon the Flock Book, advantage of which concession had been taken by most of stud breeders who were hitherto unregistered. Thanks were convoyed to judges,.stewards, and others, and donors of special prises. The Society gave £320 in cash prizes, of which £57 10s was provided by private donations. The Committee were pleased to report upon the increasing prosperity of the district.

The balance-sheet gave details of receipts and expenditure as shown in the report.

Continuing, the President said that he

thought the profit shown, which was about equal to the cost of shifting to the new ground, fully warranted them in the change. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr J. Tombleson seconded the motion. Ho said it had been pointed out last year that classes of five (sheep) should bo altered, but it had been altered to three, which was equally unsuitable ; it was easier to get a pen of two, which would be suitable ; it would not make any reduction in fees, and would make an all-round better show. As to the handling of stock, lie thought there was not sufficient care in handling first-class stock ; there seemed to be no more care in handling valuable rams for the Judge’s inspection than in handling ordinary crossbreds. Being an exhibitor, he had not cared to say anything at the time, and thought this was the proper place it bring it up. The Chairman, in reply to a point of order by Mr G. McLean, said these questions hardly had anything to do with the report, and could be brought up later

At a later stage Mr McLean made a strong defence of the system that had been adopted in regard to the number in classes.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The President said : —Before retiring from the Presidency, I would like to thank those with whom I have been associated in carrying on the business of the Society for the cordial way in which they have worked for the advancement of its interests, and I may remark the Committee has been remarkably good at attending meetings—one of the most valuable attributes of any board. I have much pleasure in noting the continued steady progress and continued prosperity of the district. The pastoral industry is advancing at a rate which is not excelled in any other part of the colony, and, in spite of the disastrous fall in the value of wool, the prices for sheep keep firm. The Continued on fourth page.