PROPOSALS ADOPTED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 15 September 1936, Page 6

PROPOSALS ADOPTED

RETENTION OF GROUNDS. A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. Recommendations formulated by. a, special suu-eonimui.ee set up to go into the worKnig or tliG ussoc-cition, uppiuv* ed at tlie juiy meeting oi the general committee, and conrirmed at- the August meeting, were submitted lor adoption at an extraordinary general meeting ot members ot the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association, hold to-day. . . . 'These recommendations were as ioi(ii) That the present grounds situated in Cuba totreet He retained in toto, and that tlie minute passed at the annual meeting of the association held on April 8, 1936, in tins connection be rescinded forthwith. (b) That the disposal of the Featherston Street property should definitely be deferred until ve ascertain what improvements are likely to be carried out in connection witn the Kawau Drain.

Moving that clause A lie agreed to, Mr J. A. Nash said it had Ueeu considered tiiat tliere should be no interference with the grounds at present. Mr T. H. Hodder seconded the motion, commenting that personally he was very glad tne Showgrounds were to be retained. Those who had supported the project tor removal to another site had been defeated, but boro no ill-will to the opposition. The cou£ troversy which had been aroused by the proposals liad drawn pointed attention to the association’s finances, had caused a rally to its support, and had served a very good purpose. The motion was carried. Mr D. Collis moved the adoption of clause B, commenting that it would be a good investment to retain the Featherston Street ground for a period. Mr J. J. Stevenson seconded the motion. Mr J, A. Mitchell said a very debatable point was involved. He considered that the A. and P. Association was “hard up against it,” and that the sooner it realised on this land the better. It might increase slightly ill value if they waited, but they could not afford to do so and should dispose of the property. The president (Mr Jos. Batchelar) said the position had been eased by the recent repayment of a £2OOO mortgage. Mr Nash said that the Featherston Street property had been valued at £1350 when the proposals were under discussion, but there was the jirospect of a Government grant being obtained for improvements to the Kawau Drain. This would greatly increase the value of the property, and ho considered it would be very unwise to dream of selling it at present. It would lend itself admirably later to subdivision, and the association might clear a neb £3OOO.

Mr Hodder endorsed this viewpoint, adding that the matter had been curoc fully considered from every standpoint, and. the finance committee desired to hold the matter in abeyance. The motion was carried, Mr Mitchell dissenting. CHANGES IN RULES.

Proposals were also put forward to amend the rules of the association, as follow:

(c) “That Rule 4 (i) be amended by adding the following words: ‘That the senior vice-president be definitely elected by ballot and when elected as such shall automatically become president the following year.’ (d) “That rule 9 be rescinded and that the following rule be inserted in lieu thereof: ‘The finance committed shall consist of nine members of tlie general committee, exclusive of exofficio members, and shall have such control over the property and finances of the association and such powers as may be entrusted to them by the general committee. A certain number of the finamie committee shall retire annually, but will be eligible for reelection. The first four members to retire shall retire by ballot on the date of the annual meeting in 193 r and tSk< remaining five members shall automatically retire on tlie date of the annual meeting in 1938; thereafter automatically four members shall retire one year and five members the next year. At its first. meeting the general committee shall elect from members of the general committee a sufficient number to fill the vacancies on tlie finance committee due to retirement or resignation. The finance committee as constituted at the date of the passing of this rule shalL remain in office until the date of the succeeding annual meeting.”

The first amendment was made on the motion of Air L. H. Collinson, seconded by Air J. J. Stevenson. Aloving the adoption of the second amendment relating to the finance committee, Air J. Linklater said it was very desirable to have as much continuity in the personnel of this committee as possible. Commending the proposal, Afr A 1 .A. Conway suggested that members retiring from the finance committee be not eligible for election in the following year; this would ensure that new members would come on to the eomniiffyi., and that an opportunity would be to all members of the general committee to join an insight into the internal workings of the association. He moved an amendment to this effect. Alessrs S. R. Thomson and L. H. Collinson supported the view expressed by Air Conway.

Afr T. AA 7 ebb opposed the amendment, as did ’Mr J. A. Nash, who said tllie re was a need to retain the most efficient men available for the finance committee, and to ensure that men did not vacate office until proposals they were sponsoring were brought to fruition. He regarded the proposal embodied in the amendment as a very retrograde step, and said it would be a serious mistake to debar a man from continuing to give good service. Agreement with this view was expressed by Air A. C. B. Munro (Ohingniti.) The amendment was defeated by 20 votes to 17 on a recount after tho first count had been declared equal with 18 votes all. but doubts as to the accuracy of this led to the recount.

The motion originally put forward for the amendment of the rules was then carried.

Notice was given by Air Alitehell of his intention to place before the next meeting of the general committee an amendment to the effect that three members of the finance committee retire each year.