GORE A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1144, 3 February 1903, Page 4

GORE A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

COMMITTEE MEETING. The committee of this Association met on Saturday. Present—Messrs G. Milnes (president), Diokie, Maoara, Green, B. Fortune, White, Aitken, T. Logan, Kingdon, Diokisou, O. P. Johnston, Waddell, H. Smith, and Clouston. COBRKSfONDENCE. Major Jas. Boyne wrote requesting the use of the Show ground and sheds for the annual volunteer camp of instruction from the 9th to ICth February. Every care would be taken, and any damage would be made good. Jas. Holland wrote pointing out that the adverse weather which prevailed during the days of the last show, had oaused him a loss of £SO in the publican's booth. He asked the Association to consider whether they could see their way to refund him £25. —Bequest declined. / DATE OF ANNUAL MEETING. Mr T. Logan bad given notice at last meeting to move in the direction of altering the day on which the annual meeting is held from Saturday to Wednesday, and in bringing the matter under the notice of the meeting, The President said that Saturday did not suit the townspeople. If any other day were selected, it would enable them to attend, and as Wednesday was the half-holiday it would be the best day to bold the meeting so far as the townspeople were concerned. He thought everyone could attend upon that day. Mr Macara moved " That rule 0 be altered bo as to read : that tho annual general meeting of members be held on the first Wednesday in August instead of the second Saturday." Mr Diekison seconded. The President said the question the meeting had to consider was whether as many settlers would attend on Wednesday as did so on Saturday. The Association was primarily a settlers' society, and while the townspeople were gladly welcomed as members and upon the committee, he thought it worth their consideration as to whether settlers should not run it. They should endeavor to get as large an attendance as possible at their meetings, and the committee should be certain before altering tbo rule whether the attendance would be as large on Wednesday as on Saturday. He was doubtful, under rule 13, whether the matter could be decided at that meeting. It would have to come before a general meeting for confirmation. Mr Macara said a general meeting could be called at any time.

Mr Logan said his recson for bringing the motion forward was that the townspeople were amongst the largest subscribers. They all objected to Saturday, and for good reasons. Any other day would suit them, H/ was of opinion they should alter the day, and this would enable the townspeople to take a more active interest in the society, and thus making it a benefit to town and country. He admitted the country people were the backbone of the society, but they should encourage the townspeople to attend. If tbey did not alter the day a great falling off would be apparent in the subscription lists next year.

Mr G. P. Johnston asked what sum the society would lose, He did not think they could alter the rules at that meeting. The position was not clear whether the alteration would interfere with or benefit the society. Mr Logan said it was more the amount they would gain than the amount they would lose. Larger subscriptions had been promised if the day was altered. Mr Maeara said all town subscribers would not withdraw, but ho sympathised with the proposed alteration.

Mr Aitken thought it was derogatory to the officers of tho Association to have to go round isking for subscriptions. He did not think the parties who threatened to withdraw had much interest in the welfare of the Association. There were not many who were outside the Retailers' Association, whose members refused to give anything except through it, and they were always talking about what they bad to give. The next thing would be that the committee would be asked to meet on a Wednesday instead of a Saturday. Tho President explained that it was to protect themselves from being asked to subscribe to everything that the Retailers' Association was formed, and said that the committee was better attended now than at any previous time.

Mr Mncara said he looked upon tho alteration as an experiment. It might not bo a success, but they could not afford to offend the townspeople, and they should give it a trial. The faruiors could surely make it convenient to he present at the Wednesday meeting once a year. However, if it were not successful they could revert to the old order of things. Mr Kingdon deprecated sotting town against country. There were a fair number of townsmen members of the society, and he should like to see some of them on the committee. Mr Green said sufficient consideration had not been given to the matter. They wanted men on the committee who would work. In order to give members a greater time for consideration, he would move—" That the question be held over till next meeting." This was seconded and carried by eight to live. ATTENDANCE OK MEMBERS. Mr Maoara drew attention to Rule 7, which says that any member of committee who is absent from three consecutive meetings shall vacate his seat unless ho has given a satisfactory apology.—lt was agreed that in future the rule bo strictly enforced. THE OHOO.NUS. The President reported that Messrs Green, Macara, and himself had visited the grounds to report upon the drainage. It would be necessary to take a ditch five chains through I private property to Wigan street from the south-east corner. To take a drain along the railway would cost a lot of money. He thought they should instruct the engineer to take levels, and proceed with the work as their funds allowed Fairly largo tiles should be used so that they would not fill up very rapidly. Mr T. Logan moved—" That the engineer be instructed to take levels and advise the committee as to the best method of drainage, and that the committee arrange with the gentlemen through whose property the drain will pass. Mr Fortune seconded and it was carried. 11EVISINO COMMITTEE. The report of tho revising committee was read, and it was agreed that it be written out by the secretary in full and considered at a later meeting. The committee then adjourned.