A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 142, 17 May 1941, Page 5

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Notwithstanding the difficulties it faced the Feilding A. and P. Association lmd a successful year according to the annual report. 'J he following are extracts: — On *t,he outbreak of war the association offered its land and buildings to the military authorities as a training ground, and for a time it looked as though a camp would bo established at Podding. However, this did not eventuate, and the committee were able to proceed with its show arrangements. That the committee was wise in its decision to hold its annual show was demonstrated by the strong support accorded it by exhibitors, town and counI try residents and members generally. The show was bright and attractive, one of the high lights being the Women’s Institute display and the cookery and needlework exhibits. A special feature of the night show was the mass parade arranged by the Mayor (Air T. L. Soddon). It was estimated that approximately 1000 members participated in the parade. The Ham Fair bad a most satisfactory entry and 2426 rams were put through the ring for excellent prices. It is worthwhile noting that approximately 290 flock rams sold at over 15 guineas each. The total show entries over the past 10 years are : —1941, 1999; 1940, 2391; 1939, 2406; 1938, 2117 ; 1937 2342; 1936, 2101; 1935, 2003; 1934, 1951’; 1933, 1842; 1932, 1943.

Referring to the Jinanecs, the report records a prolit, of £126 7s lOd on the year’s work, alter writing off £lB7 17s 9d depreciation. By deleting many poorly supported Show classes the committee was able to make a considerable saving on tile prize money paid out, without affecting the balance of the schedule classes. The prize money paid this year was £694 8s 4d as against £Bl3 18s 3d in 1940. Ihe Show day wages and expenses account was about £6O less than last year, £35 of this decrease being due to obtaining judges from our adjacent districts, and also to the generosity of most judges in giving their kservices und travelling expenses tree to the association. The committee records a hearty vote of - thanks to all judges for their help iu this direction. The association’s buildings and plant had been kept in good repair, £lll being expended in Ibis direction as against £l6O in 1940, and new work amounting to , /£3B 9s lias been carried out. Various accounts remain as formerly. Un the receipts side members’ subscriptions are down £27 also the general entry fees are £6O short of last .year’s Side show fees increased by £l4 and donations and special prize money amounted to the substantial sum of £23/ compared with £196 in 1940. This year the gate takings were .£l2O, which is a much more satisfactory figure than in 1940. The ram fair maintains its splendid aid by producing a prolit ot approximately £l5O. The farm returned the large prolit of £245 12s 4d compared with £159 in 1940, £93 10s in 1939, and £174 in 1938. The weight judging and ralflo account showed a prolit of £ll2 5s (1940, £160). Tho licensed booth and catalogues and advertisements account show a decline of £43, hut the night show revealed a prolit of £l3 14s 3d, due to the large attendance. The association has already been favoured with donations amounting to £26 5s for the 1942 show, and the sum of £ll6 has been expended in stocking up tho association’s farm for the coming season. The credit balance at the bank at March 31 was £563 13s 7d, compared with £lßl 10s Id lust year. The report also refers lo the services of Air G. M. Molfitt who acted as treasurer for 6j years and places on record its appreciation. Several of the committeemen have been actively engaged on defence duties during the past year, viz.. Major Bruce McLeod, Lieutenant If,. B. Johnston, Flying-Officer E. \V. Barnett and Flight-Lieutenant U. O Linklater. “Jo these gentlemen we offer our hearty congratulations and* good wishes. Alnny of our annual members arc also serving with the Forces, both in New Zealand und overseas, and to 'them all wc extend our best wishes for a safe return home and express the hope that the war will soon ho brought to a successful finish.”