WAIRAU AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 297, 17 June 1871, Page 6

WAIRAU AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The adjourned general meeting of members was held at James’ Royal Hotel, last Saturday, when there was a numerous and respectable attendance. Mr E. Paul having been voted into the chair, introduced the business of the meeting and then read the following EEPOKT AND STATEMENT OP ACCOUNTS. The Committee of the Wairau Agricultural Society beg to present to the members the following report:— The first Show, which was held on the 27th April, the Committee are happy to say was an unqualified success. The entries were in all 109, out of which number 40 received prizes. The Treasurer’s account will be laid before you. It will be observed that the gross amount received was £76 3s 9d, out of which was paid in prizes the sum of £75 3s 9d, leaving a balance in the Bank of 19s 9d. There are also forty members who have not yet paid their annual subscription which, when paid, will leave a balance in hand of £2O 19s 6d. _______ A list of the subscribers ..witTbe laid on the table. The thanks of the Society are due to James Sinclair, Esq., for the handsome manner in which he met the Committee in granting a site, &e., for the Show and Ploughing Match for the first year. The thanks of the Society are also due to Mr Bishop, Secretary of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for furnishing us with a copy of their rules, &c. The Committee are of opinion, and would advise that a Quarterly Market be established for the sale of all kinds of stock and produce in some central part of the district, and would recommend Blenheim as most suitable for the purpose, provided a suitable arrangement can be made with the Borough Council. The Committee would also recommend that the first Fair or Market should take place on the first day of November, being the anniversary of the Province, and that a show of entire horses and sheep should take place on the same day. The thanks of the Society are also due to Mr Hathaway, our Hon. Secretary, for the large amount of trouble he has taken in getting up this our first Agricultural Meeting. Your Committee wffPalso submif'tlie'f o'llß wing rules for your consideration, and if approved of, would recommend them to be printed.

Statement of Accounts for the year ending May llth, 1801. H7l

-76 3 6 76 3 9 J. Hathaway, Hon. Sec. w/pSkb. ! Auditors. —He remarked that it was by the united efforts of the Committee that the late show

was so completely successful, yet he they might do much better in the future, and that with the natural advan-

tages possessed by this Province and district we ought to be capable of competing with any other Societies in the other Provinces.

The report and accounts having been passed and adopted ; the draft rules were read, and with some very slight amendments, passed as printed in the Expkess of June 23rd.

Mr C. Redwood in proposing Henry Dodson, Esq., as President, said he was a gentleman who had always acquitted himself with credit and honor in whatever

station or position he had been placed. Although he was not a producer, he was a still better fellow, a He considered it was a matter of vital importance to have a man who knew what he was about, and who never neglected his duties and was always there when required. They could not have a better man than Mr Dodson, who was the right man in the right place. Mr Busch in seconding the motion said he heartily endorsed what had fallen from the mover.

Mr F. Adams proposed Mr J. Connal as Treasurer, as being one who had taken great interest in.the Society. Mr Storey briefly seconded. Mr Connal proposed Mr AV. Parker as Secretary, who had taken great interest in the business last year, and would, he felt assured perform the duties well. Dr. Muller enquired whether it was understood that the late Sscretary had resigned, as otherwise he was sure from the large amount of pains he had taken that they could not improve upon him. Mr Hathaway said that he wished to resign, feeling that the duties pressed too much upon his time, and that at his request Mr Parker had consented to stand. Mr J. Ward proposed the following gentlemen as the Committee, believing that they could not get a better lot of practical men ; —Messrs Storey, Paul, Jos. Redwood, Hathaway, C. Eyles, J. M'Callum, P. M'Rae, J. D. Macaulay, C. Redwood, and G. Graham. All the motions were carried.

Dr. Muller proposed a vote of thanks to the late Secretary, Mr Hathaway, who had been a wise leader, and most indefatigable in his duties, and to whose efforts it was largely owing that the late Show was such a success. He hoped that the vote would be placed on record in the Society’s books. The motion was carried enthusiastically. Mr Hathaway having replied. Mr Dodson returned thanks for the honor they had done him by electing him their President. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.

RECEIPTS. £ s d DISBURSEMENTS. £ 8 d Subscriptions paid 56 I) 0 Money Prizes . 45 17 6 Entries . . 7 12 0 Ploughing Prizes . 10 0 0 Gates . . . 9 6 6 Labor & expenses 10 15 6 Donations--Mr John-on . 3 0 0 Stationery and Advertising 8 10 0 A Friend . . 0 6 0 Balance in Bank . 0 19 9