EGMONT A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 3 June 1927, Page 4

EGMONT A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

(To the Editor.) Sir,-—Perhaps the most agreeable feature of the report of the above assortatiqn i® that the president did net congratulate members on the smallness of the loss, as dicl ;the chairman of another -ill-fated farmers concern not one thousand mile® from Patea. The published report of the meeting of the Egmont Association reveal® a deplorable state of affairs. Year after year serious losses have been made, averaging no less than £677 per annum-, to quote the chairman’s own figures, with the- result that the balance of assets over liabilities has dwindled from £5945 in 1920 to £1206 to-day f and this latter figure A® fictitious, as there has been no allowance for depreciation for the past year and, indeed, some of the so-called assets if offered to anyone to-day would not fetch one-thirdf of their estimated value, so that the treasurer was no doubt a good deal nearer the truth when he stated that “were we able to sell out lock, stock and barrel to-day our assets would be nil, in fact we would be bankrupt.” This is a tragic position indeed to have to own up to, and from the information to -be gathered from the published report, the present committee does not seem to be able to l put their finger on the weak spot, for there are several. Now, Mr Editor, let me here say that this letter is not penned with any fault finding iiitention other 'than is necessary to save, the situation. With regard to one member’® suggestion to sell 25 acres? at £3OO per acre, purchasers at that figure are just about as plentiful .as the gooseberries in by hack garden. and the ideal of a park-time caretaker is just about as fruitful. If as the treasurer says £7OO is only “a drop in -the bucket,” then the amount saved on caretaker’s expenses is hardly worth while sacking a good- man for. No, sir, the way put of this wood is nob by any path which would interfere with the - working of the only paying department of the association. If, however, anything could be saved by this suggestion, then I claim the committee should do away with the caretaker altogether. I will now endeavour no show how, in my opinion, the situation will have to he met, if the association is to carry on. ’ .

Firstly, the most urgent necessity is an executive with a liberal supply of ginger, backed up by abundance of elbow grease. Secondly, the pruning knife must be applied very considerably to reduce expenses, and in this direction I would suggest: (a) Deduce all prise money by 33 1-3 per cent, where it is over £l. If the reduction would make the prize less than £l. the prize to be £l. Publish a list of donors of special prizes on the front page of the oatalotgue and put aH such donations into the common fund, (b) Do away with the caretaker rather than make him a part-time man, and let the president or one of the members conveniently .situated keep his eye on the stock as necessary, and where work has to be done organise working bees to do it. That’s the ginger and elbow grease referred to. (c) Curtail the judges’ expenses as much a® possible by getting capable men from within the province so as to keep down travelling expenses, and let the members entertain the judges while in Hawera, and thus cut out hotel expenses, (cl) Organise a_ladies’ committee to run the refreshment booth, the proceeds fi-bm which would benefit the association considerably. (e) Cut out all luncheon tickets and aii complimentary tickets except to exhibitors in pension', (f) Cut out “show labour” by means of working bees. It cost £95 l-2s last year. (g) Arrange for a part-time secretarv and save half your salary bill, (h) Get an honorary auditor. There are on the committee at the present time men who are qualified to act. (i) Acquaint- the various sports bodies wiho use the grounds with the position and advance charges 25 per cent.) or even 50 per cent, (j) Let the committee divide the whole district with a view to each member making an individual canvas of the district allotted to him for new members, special prizes and entries, etc. Thirdlv. and above all, let the public know bv visible evidence that the show is' run' by a live .body of members and you will' get all the .support you require. Bear in mind that the business people of this town are canvassed daity

for some object or other, and do not take kindly to .giving to some affair when they, know the committee handling the money are squandering it on objects which should be paid for by receipts rather than by the donors, such as free luncheons, banquets, etc., I feel confident, Mr Editor, that if these suggestions are taken up in the proper quarter we shall hear no more about continual losses, etc. Thanking you for the space, I am, 6tC ' 7 NEMO. Hawera, May 31, 1927.