A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 112, 10 April 1944, Page 5

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

The president of tho Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association (Mr B. E. Keillor), in his annual report,' slates I hat tho .membership at February 29, 1944, comprised 282 (287) life members, 1170 (1181) annual members, and 40 (43) junior members, making a total of 1492 (1511). The previous year’s figures are given in parentheses. There is also a large number of members on active service who are placed on the honorary listof members for the duration of the war; Feeling reference is made to the loss suffered by tho association in tho deaths of Messrs Jos. Batchclar (a past president), R. D. Knight and E. J. Wilde (old members ot the general committee); also Messrs W. G. Black (committeeman), J, Southey Fowler. W. B. White, K. McDonald and A. Campbell. “The military authorities in charge of our grounds continue to lake the greatest care of our property,” the report adds. “They are maintaining the grounds and buildings well and have agreed to pay approximately two-thirds of tho cost of painting the large and small stands, also the woodwork in front of the main building. They axe also attending to all current maintenance of the buildings. The greatest consideration is still being given by tho officers in charge to Mr Gills, who is given a very free hand and is employing his time very well in the interest of both the military authorities and ourselves. I have continued to inspect the grounds and buildings from time to time, and I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the association, of thanking the officer responsible for the manner in which lie is maintaining the upkeep of our property. The association took up tho matter of stock transport restrictions very etrqngly with the Ministers concerned, and" I am pleased to report that these representations, with others, were in tho end successful in the lifting of all restrictions. We also took up with the Minister concerned the matter of the Land Settlement Bill, and I am sorry to.say with ecant success.’' The treasurer (Mr A. G. Lawson) states: “After repaying amounts owing on loud-, - - speaker (£153 ss) the year’s working ' shows a profit of £4B 10s Bd, main- • income was again received from the military aiid members’ subscriptions. The lat r .. ter show an increase of £2l 3s, which i4'" most gratifying. The whole of income-' from subscriptions has gone in reduction ~ of bank overdraft, and this now stands at £740 18s 9d. as against £1364 4s lOd. • last year. This position is most satisfac- . tory. As a sinking fund against our mort- , gage of £13,320. your finance committee decided to take out a 21-year endowment policy of £5000.”