Wairoa News.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 169, 29 July 1901, Page 3

Wairoa News.

(Times Special Correspondent.) Early on the 18th, the town was alive with people to welcome home from South Africa our genial Trooper Reed. From an early hour, the local volunteers were massing in force. A good detachment of the Company arrived from Frasertown. Sergeant-Major Hewitt gave the order to fall in, and the troops paraded to the wharf, where they lined up on both sides. Trooper Reed was met on the steamer by Captain Milne-Thompson and Lieutenants Bax and Smith. A horse had been (provided for the returned trooper, and, after falling in sections, Trooper Reed was escorted round the principal streets of the town, after which he was entertained at breakfast at Mr Poyzer’s Hotel. Trooper Reed is looking remarkably well in health, and his experience in soldiering, drilling, etc., has made a different man of him. He was engaged mostly in scouting and as a despatch rider, and often had some very narrow escapes. He is to be entertained at Frasertown on the 23rd inst., and when the other men arrive a gigantic social and other gatherings will be held in honor of their safe return. After having a good breakfast, he left for his home at Frasertown, accompanied by a good number of the mounted men, and he got an enthusiastic reception there. An invitation has been received by tho local volunteers from their brothers in arms at Gisborne to take part in the volunteer sports at Gisborne on the King’s Birthday. A good many members of the

company have offered to go into practice for the different competitions. The s.s. Tangaroa arrived at the wharf after an absence of thirteen weeks from the river, on the 18th inst., bringing a largo number of passengers and cargo, thereby relieving the minds of the townspeople of a famine, which was daily expected, The bar still continues good, and it is to be hoped will remain so. A meeting of tho Wairoa County Ram

Fair and Show was held in Parker’s Hall, Frasertown, on the 13th inst. The following members were present:—Messrs J. A. Brown (President), J. E. Taylor (treasurer), F. Parker (secretary), \V. C. Munro, F. Mcßae, W. Neall, A. Sinclair, J. P. Lomax, W. Temperley, M. Chap-

man, D. Walker, J. B. Broadhurst, W. It. Rutherford, D. Whyte, A. E. Beckett, A. G. Smith, W. Grassdaio, A. Steed, and Doctor Somerville. Tho annual report was read by the President, and is as follows : —This being the annual meeting of members of.the Wairoa County Ram Fair and Show, the committee have pleasure in reporting that tho late Show held at Frasortown on January 16 was most successful. To show you the rapid progress wc havo made, I will give you the number of events or classes in 1900 compared with 1901. Classes, 1900, horses 9, cattle 3, sheep 6. Classes, 1901, horses 17, cattle 7, sheep 13. Pigs were also added to our catalogue, there being 3 classes. Produce, etc., was also introduced, in all 11 classes exhibited. Exhibits were also sent from the following :—Loan and Mercantile Company, implements ; Pothan, Hastings, traps, carts, etc.; E. Hallett, agent, killwecd ; Burkott, agent, whito oil; Wel-

lington Woollen Mills, rugs, clothing, etc., P. Cosgrove, agent, washing machines, etc.; sido shows, shooting gallery, J. Scott. The Society had also a very interesting exhibit of Native mats, huts, kits, and carving, which interested visitors greatly. Great credit is due to the stewards, Messrs Hallett and W. Couper, for tho manner in which they arranged the exhibits. After paying all expenses in connection with the late Show, you will see by the balance-sheet there is a credit balance of .£22 7s 6d. You will further notice by tho schedule of all tho material belonging to the Association, which, after allowing for deterioration, is valued at .£65 17s 6d, which must bo looked upon as an asset; so since the Association was formed we have in cash £22 7s 6d, and material £BB 4s 7d.

Regarding the sale of rams and other stocks, the auctioneer, Mr Sargisson, had a successful sale, tho rams fetching satisfactory pricos. I would suggest that next year the sale should be held tho day after the show. For having it on tho show day interferes with the carrying out of the most popular and leading features of the day. Thitry now members have joined since last year, the Secretary, Mr Fred Parker, having canvassed the district for that purpose. I would also suggest that some trees bo planted at onco to shelter tho stock. The working committee and stewards appointed by you rendered every assistance, and wero untiring in their efforts to carry out their duties in a satisfactory and business-like manner, which doubtless will he duly appreciated by the Association. Tho subscriptions and special prizes contributed by the loading sheepfarmers and others, whose names appear in the catalogue, amounted to .£B6 15s 6d. Those gentlemen should be thanked for their support. We should also place on record an appreciation of the services of our most indefatigable secretary, Mr F.

irker, to whose exertions tho inaugura

tion and successful carrying on of the society and show is greatly owing. In conclusion, I only hope the members and supporters of the Association will continue their patronage, and no doubt in a few years our show- will be able to hold its own with any other district of tho same size in the colony.—J. 11. Brown, President, Mr Neale proposed that the report ho adopted. Seconded by Mr Mcßae and carried. The Secretary then read the balance - sheet, which was adopted. Balance-sheet :—Receipts : Balanco in hand, credit, July, 1900, L 7 4s ; subscriptions, L 54 ; special contributions, L 76 15s 6d ; entrance fees, L 47 0s ; sale of privileges, L‘24 13s 6d ; sale of bullocks, L 7 ; gallery and programmes, £3 ; bullock and sheep-guessing competition, £3 10s ; total, £223 15s. Expenditure; Prizes, £lO2 11s ; advertising, etc., Wairoa Guardian, £l4 2s 3d ; clearing, labor, carting of timber and supplies, £SB 2s ; band, £4 ; hire of tent, £1 ; sundries, stamps and telegrams, £3 12s ; trap hire, Secretary, £4 ; clerical assistance, £3 3s ; bonus to Secretary, £lO ; cheque book and bank charges, 17s 3d ; balance at bank, £34 5s ; less unrepresented cheques, £ls 18s and £lB 7s ; cash in hand, £4 0s 6d ; total, £223 15s. Mr Brown moved that the office of President should be changed. It was a mistake for one man to have the post of President unless he had done some great service for the Society. Ho had much pleasure in proposing Mr D. O'Neill as President for the ensuing year. As a member Mr O'Neill had done more service for the Society than any other gentleman. Mr Neale, in seconding the proposal, said Mr O'Neill was really one of tho fathers of the show. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Lomax said he would like to have seen Mr Brown again President, but Mr Brown declined. He

thought it would bo to the advantage of the Society to have a change. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year : —Vice-Presidents, Messrs J. 11. Brown. H. O'Neill, W. C. Munro, \V. A. Neale, B. Lambert, and T. Carroll ; Treasurer, Mr J. E. Taylor ; Secretary, Mr F. Parker: Committee, Messrs F. Mcßae, C. Munro, D. O’Neill, H. O'Neill, \V. R. Rutherford, P. Robertson, A. Sinclair, J. Powdrell, M. Chapman, A. Duff, D. Walker, T. Carroll, W. A. Neale, T. J. Tunis, Ihaka Whanga, W. C. Munro, J. E. Taylor, F. Lambert, J. P. Lomax, J. Davcy, J. Scrimgwen, and A. E. Beckett. Mr Neale proposed that the secretary be voted a grant of £ls for the excellent services ho had rendered as secretary.Seconded by Mr J. P. Lomar and carried. Mr Parker, in thanking the Committee, said he would still to the best of his abilitydo his utmost to carry out the arrangements for the forthcoming show. Mr Taylor was here asked to retire, when Mr Brown suggested that his services should be rewarded in some manner. As treasurer his services and zeal were indefatigable.—lt was decided to present Mr’Taylor with a souvenir for the manner in which he had conducted the office as treasurer for the past two years. The following accounts were passed for payment: Mr Johansen 10s, J. Kirkpatrick L 5, J. Gioson LI 14s, C. Burridge LI. The date of the' next meeting was left with the secretary to arrange. Mr Sinclair said that a number of collectors should be appointed, and the following gentlemen were elected a Canvassing Committee in their districts : F. E. Gaddum.Morere and Oputamu ; B. B. Sim, Mohaka; W. A. Neale, Waikaremonna; J. H. Brown and F. Parker, Napier; W,Timperley, Wairoa; D. Whyte, Xiwroto.

Dr Somerville pointed out that it was time another auditor was appointed. The Soeiety was progressing, and a quantity of money was passing through their ! hands. It was desirable that a second 1 auditor be appointed to share the re--1 sponsibility of the other one already ; appointed. Mr Parker proposed and Mr J. H. Brown seconded, that Dr Somerville be appointed auditor, in conjunction with Mr Sargisson. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the outgoing committee, and to Mr Reid for his services as judge at the late show, with an addition that the Association would be most happy to welcome him as judge at the next show’. It was decided to make Ml- Reid an honorary member of the Association. A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Chamber Bros., G. Ormond, and F. F. Walker for return of prize money, and also to all subscribers. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated a most successful meeting. The concert in ail of the widow of the late Mr G. B. Flint has been postponed until the 7th of August, owing to the inclemency of the weather. As the object £ is a worthy one, it is expected there will , be a large attendance. A capital pro- ‘ gramme has been arranged. The farce, 1 “ Kiss in the Dark,” has been well re- I hearsed, and that alone should be sufficient inducement to warrant a crowded house.