A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 114, 10 April 1930, Page 9

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

THE YEAR REVIEWED. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association was held yesterday afternoon, Mr J. Linklater, M.P., presiding over a good attendance. . PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS.In moving the adoption of the annual report and. balance-sheet, the chairman submitted a brief survey of the activities of the past year. ‘‘We had had an excellent year when I addressed you at the last annual meeting, that period including tho fifth Royal Show,” said Mr Linklater. “This year, I am glad to say, has exceeded it. As you know, the work carried on by the committee is entirely dependable on the goodwill and generosity of the public, nnd the present splendid condition of the grounds and appointments is an eloquent testimony to the work of the committee and the support they receive. When you remember that some of the buildings are getting somewhat old, you must of necessity also realise that the maintenance costs are heavier. Money has also been found to carry out various improvement® in addition to keeping the values of the premises down. The steadily increasing work carried out in the office absolutely demanded a re-organisation of the office accommodation, which was recognised by your committee and duly authorised. The work was carried out most excellently by the caretaker and his staff, and we now have an office fit to take any distinguished visitor into, and which maintains the dignity of the association. I have to make mention of the gifts of handsome chairs from Messrs. Lethbridge, Gillies, Blundell, Dalrymple, Batchelar, Eglinton and McKelvie; also the oak for tho secretary’s desk was donated by Mr Balsillie, and I tender them thanks for their generosity.” Mr Linklater continued that another necessary work carried out was the provision of a new fence for the oval. This had been needed for 19 years and was now a credit to the association. The reorganising of the office accommodation had necessitated the provision of other accommodation for that most important body, tho gate stewards, and also a.more convenient office for the caretaker. The first mentioned was built overlooking the turnstiles in the vestibule and the latter in the entrance to the produce hall. These were both in use and were making the work of the shows much more convenient. The steer-yards were built for the steerriding competition, and tho expense was justified as in the first vear they paid for themselves with a handsome profit. The new roa'd was an expenditure that was well merited as would be realised by those who had suffered tho mud for 15 or 16 years. A section in Oakley Street had been acquired and would be of great use. “The fact that wo have been able to find money out of revenue for these capital items, coupled with the heavy maintenance work, gives your committee great cause for satisfaction,” continued Mr Linklater. “Your reports show that the money spent on maintenance has involved a good deal of work and thought, and I cannot pass over from this topic without expressing my appreciation of the splendid and capable work of Mr Parker who, I am pleased to say, has quite recovered from his very serious accident. There is little for me to add about tho shows, but I cannot pass them without paying my tribute once again to the members of the committee. They work unceasingly without hope of gain and are only actuated by a high sense of public duty. Last year I alluded to the membership in the following words and I do not think I can do better than repeat them as they are just as applicable now as they were then. I would like to impress on members of the committee that one of the most important duties is to enlarge the membership list. There is no doubt in my mind that membership is the life blood of the association, and before we had so many local*associations around us we had many members in those districts. Notwithstanding this, we still ought to have a very much larger roll in those outside places as well as in town. The privileges are extraordinarily generous and are well worth the pound spent on them quite apart from the loyal spirit we seek from our citizens and settlers. Before closing, I would like once moro to place on record my sincere thanks to my fellow members and to Mr Penny and his staff for their unfailing support and loyalty and trust that my successor, Mr Wall, will be afforded the same help and support that I have had.” TRIBUTE TO LATE MR JOHNSTON. “As this is my first appearance as honorary treasurer, 1 feel 1 should liko to add my tribute to the magnificent work that our late treasurer, Mr J. M. Johnston, did in connection with this association over a long term of years,” said Mr T. R. Hodder, in seconding the motion. “Ho .never spared himself and his creative brain was always planning and working out some scheme that ho deemed was in the .n----terests of this association. We rnisa him at this annual meeting and deeply regret Iris passing. I feel it an honour to have been elected to the position of treasurer. I know my limitations and realise the difficulty I shall experience in presenting to you the financial side of the association’s affairs in such a lucid manner as my pyredecessor.” Mr Hodder then reported on the financial side of the association’s activities as reported elsewhere. - Mr Thos. Webb took the opportunity to congratulate the association on its position. He suggested that perhaps a mortgage might be raised more advantageously than an overdraft. Mr J. A. Nnsh, M.P., informed Mr Webb that money was obtained in the cheapest manner. Mr Webb also considered that the secretary should be given a bonus in proportion to tho show takings. The motion adopting the report was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following were declared elected to the general committee . —Messrs VV.

S. Carter, Jas, Knight, It. D. Knight, J. Linldater, H. J. Lancaster, E. E. Mabin, It. McDonald, H. Saunders, W. G. Shannon, A. Sutherland, C. E. Vile .and H. Voss.

The election of the treasurer, Mr T. It. Hodder and the president, Mr L. B. Wall was also announced. Mr Linldater then relinquished the chair to Mr Wall, who, after returning thanks for his election, stated that they had an association .and grounds to bo proud of. In this connection they owed a debt of gratitude to the old members of the association. He was, however, glad to seo young members of the committee coming forward with suggestions and help. The show was the leading one of tho Dominion, and the committee and members should see that it maintained this status. The Manawatu shows had tho finest district in New Zealand behind them. Messrs Rutherfurd and Connell were re-appointed auditors. GENERAL. A formal resolution vesting the funds of the association in the general committee was carried. Mr M. A. Conway moved a vote of thanks to the retiring president. If his political career were as distinguished as his work for the A. and P. Association, Mr Linklater lrad done good service not only to the association, but to the Dominion at large, lie stated. The progress that an association made was largely the judgment of the president and the two fixtures conducted during Mr Linklater’s term of office had been highly successful. The motion was carried by acclamation. In returning thanks Mr Linklater said that ho should not lose tire opportunity of thanking tho efficient office staff, headed by tho secretary, Mr W. T. Penny. They were always courteous and efficient. A vote of thanks was accorded vhe staff. The president expressed appreciation of the presence of Mr W. J. Blundell, of Wellington, a vice-presi-dent who showed his keen interest by always attending the shows and annual meetings whenever possible. A vote of thanks was accorded the scrutineers, Messrs J. H. Stevens, •€. Mowlem and N. H. Sinclair. Votes of thanks were also accorded the stewards, judges, donors, the Railway Department, tho Press and all who had assisted during the year. Mr Wall extended a welcome to a new member, Mr V. T. Dibble. Mr Webb raised the question'of luncheon tickets, expressing the belief that some should be given to che chief stewards.

Mr Jas. Knight was pf the opinion that the practice of distributing tickets through the office was a wise one. Formerly, they had been wasted. No action was taken.