A. & P. ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 111, 7 April 1927, Page 4

A. & P. ASSOCIATION

SCHEME FOR GROUNDS IMPROVEMENT.

FAVOURED AT ANNUAL MEETING.

In. the concluding stages of the annual meeting of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association yesterday the improvement of the grounds, as an essential to further prof ress, was a matter discussed. Mr L. I. Collinson, the newly elected president, presided. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., reminded the meeting of earlier efforts to raise funds to carry out a scheme of improvement, whereby £I7OO to £IBOO had been raised, though £3OOO _to £4OOO was needed 'to effect something really worth while. Alluding to a plan of improvements .which awaited execution, he stated that it would provide room for the playing of three Rugby matches at the one time and generally, benefit the shows from the point of view of accommodation and stand arrangements. Last year an art union had been conducted in an effort to augment the funds for improvements, but he regretted to say that it was unsuccessful.

Still, said Mr Nash, he doubted not that the money required for effecting the improvements suggested could be raised and later in the meeting he would move something giving tangible shape to an effort for this year. Looking to the new president to exorcise his energy and ability, he trusted that something definite would be achieved in 1927, for the growing importance of the association certainly merited it.

STAND 29 YEARS OLD

Stating that the present main grandstand was 29 years old, the president expressed the view that the time had arrived for its renewal. The years had taken toll of the structure and to attempt to move it might make re-build-ing neoessarv. While tho art union had proved a failure it was only fair to explain that it had been launched by the commiteee in ignorance of the fact that several other big art unions were current. Had that been known the association’s venture would never have been launched at such an unpropitious moment. Still, while the association had lost £172 over it one Wanganui art union had resulted in a deficit of £4OO and another Wanganui venture a loss of £6OO, so that after all the “Golden Fleeoe” consultation had not turned out as badly as might have been the case. “Our own members loyally supported it and themselves bought £6OO worth of tickpts,” stated Mr Collinson. As for Mr J. M. Johnston’s suggestion that wealthy members of the association might make substantial donations, if anyone felt like putting his name to a cheque for £IOO he would be pleased to note the fact. Personally, he thought that a deal of money could be raised by such competitive schemes as a harvest queen carnival, offering as a prize to the successful candidate a trip to Sydney or Melbourne. Again, a huge fireworks display on Guy Fawkes night might be successful. ASSOCIATION AND DISTRICT. At least, continued Mr Collinson, such things might serve to focus attention on the association which had been the biggest factor in the advancement of the district, which would benefit still further from the establishment here of the agricultural college. That would tend, along with agricultural and pastoral shows in the district, to raise the standard of farming and the better enable the man on the land to meet overseas competition. Mr Nash moved as a recommendation to the new committee that the grounds improvement plan to which he had referred be given effect. The motion wae carried. OFFICERS ELECTED.

The election of officers resulted as follows; —Vice-presidents, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., Sir R. D. D. McLean, Messrs E. Blundell, J. Linklater, M.P., L. B. Wall, and the Mayor for the time being of Palmerston North; treasurer, Mr J. M. Johnston; committee members, Messrs D. Buchanan, K. Dalrvmple, M. A. Eliott, J. Knight. R. D. Knight, S. Macaulay, R. McDonald, W. G. Shannon, A. Sutherland, T. Saunders, H. Voss and C. E. Vile; auditors, Messrs Rutlrerfurd and Connell. VOTES OF THANKS.

In moving votes of thanks to the retiring president (Mr James Knight, of Feilding), the officials, donors, supporters, stewards, Railway Department and the press, Mr T. It. Hodder said that Mr Knight had proved himself a worker indeed, even to the extent of spending a week’in Wellington to aid the subscription campaign there. The Railway Department had loyally cooperated with the association in many directions, said Mr Hodder, who also expressed regret at the non-return of Mr Bett on the committee and voiced appreciation of his past serviced. The president lauded the work of Messrs H. R. Green and L. Jlillward as committeemen and expressed regret that they would not be acting in this capacity this year. The retiring officers and Mr Walter Blundell (Wellington) and Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., were thanked for their services to the association. The secretary, Mr W. T. Penny, together with his 6taff; was accorded a special vote of thanks. MEMBERSHIP RULE.

On the motion of Mr T. Webb, it was decided that rule 3, clause a, be added to as follows: Also any member of the association who, having attained the age of sixty yenrs or over and who has paid his ordinary membership fee of one pound (£1) annually for the previous ten years prior to his attaining that age, shall have the privilege of constituting himself a life member of the association on payment of the sum of five guineas.