A. & P. ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3577, 7 April 1927, Page 5

A. &P. ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING OP MEMBERS.

SPLENDID PROGRESS RECORDED

At the annual meeting of tlio Manawatu A and P Association yea* tcrday, the retiring President (Mr. Jas. Knight) presided.

President’s Report

In moving tho adoption of the annual report (already published), Mr. Knight stated that when last year ho was honoured by election to tho highest position offerd he entered upon the duties of President with some diffidence as he was fully awaro of tho very high prestigo which tho Association commanded in the Agricultural and Pastoral world and he had doubts as to whether ha should bo able to maintain the solid position it then held. However, he was pleased to say it still continued to hold its place though he did not take the flattering unction to his soul that ho had done anything very much towards that end. Had he not had the ardent and generou s sup* port of tho gentlemen associated with him on tho committee his way would have been hard indeed. Touching the shows, excellent team work was put in by all sections, both Committee and outside stewards working harmoniously towards the common end. One of tho greatest difficulties that faced the Association. was provision of new forms of amusement for the thousands of people who were not interested in live stock and other exhibits, but who mostly camo to the shows to meet their friends and be entertained. The side shows certainly filled a want in this direction, but members and patrons' also looked to the committee to furnish . new events in tho ring. Tho advent' of the motor car was making the horse events harder to get each year, and thero was no gainsaying the fact that to very many people tho horse events were getting, a little. stale and there was an insistent demand for something new. Mr. Knight was pleased to say that the Association had become more popular with the • leading business people of the town, Chamber of Commerce, Retailers Association, and other’ bodies. This was demonstrated the generous way they met the Association during the year. A Growing Institution.

The showgrounds,” added Mr. Knight, ‘‘have demonstrated their Value to the town and district. Their central position, capacity and appointments have given them an unassailable nosiiion, not ou;y foi their piimary purpose, but for athletic and other sports. Wo are endeavouring as fast as funds will permit to keep abreast of all requirements, A proposal to light the oval i g now under consideration for night sports and other functions. 1 wish here to say that‘the Association has grown into a very large concern and it must continue to grow. We cannot stand still —we should never reach that point—we should have started back on the down road. The larger it grows the more work will be necessary. '' Many of our buildings are getting old now involving increased ‘ maintenance charges which we must not overlook. Caro arid consideration of the Association’s properties may make them last longer, but wo must be always looking forward if we are to hold our present high status.” In conclusion, Mr. Knight expressed thanks to fellow members for their very cordial and hearty support during his term of office (though it is only eleven months) also the secretary, office staff, caretaker and his assistants, all of whom have been at all times of the greatest assistance. Treasurer’s Statement, i Mr. J, M. Johnston, hon. treasurer, commented at length upon the financial position and speaking upon the necessity for improvements to the grounds stated that it was up to the Association to have this work completed, or at least partly so, before the Royal Show next year. The money simply must be found —and at once, added Mr. Johnston. It can bo got, 1 think by the issue of a debenture scheme at a low rate of interest, and by straight out donations, for there are many wealthy men who will willingly give if properly approached, as they have the interest of the Association at heart and full well know its value. It is the most important institution in this Island - to-day, ’and With a fully equipped ground would bring in much more revenue and enable us to reduce liabilities in future. We had been going along from hand to mouth year after year since start-' ing and were afraid to launch out till the late Mr. Alex McHardy, the great Nestor of the Association, came along with his foresight 27 years ago, and said; “Here, I will lend you £SOOO on the security you have got,” which was not worth one-half of the amount at that time. Now can you see the result! Our position to-day is very different from then. f. We have freehold land worth £45,000; our buildings stand at only £12,000, really the amount of the insurance cover, and our liabilities are £12,000. Mr. McHardy was a far seeing man and this Association can well thank the day Mr. Gillies brought him over hero. The balance-sheet indicated the financial side of the Association was becoming something much greater than was generally realised. A large sum during the last decade has been applied to maintenance (£5688) and during the same period improvements have claimed £7Bl7 —a total of £13,505 or £1350 per annum. Mr. R. M. McKnight, speaking to the report, congratulated the Associa-

tion on the splendid state of the finances and its progress which had been little short of extraordinary and reflected creditably upon tho members' of the executive. Not once In Its 48 years of existence had the Association experienced a single reverse., The speaker proceeded to make financial comparisons with the earlier yearn ot the Association’s life to show that tho Policy pe,- S ued by tho executive- had ' , a commendable one and had worked out for the benefit of tho Association, Messrs. T. Webb and R. Edwards added their felicitations, the latter being particularly pleased to see Palmerston North boy” elected (o : tne Presidency (applause). NaSh ’ M-P ’’ con Sratulated , A ’, K ” s ' ht upon th e strenuous efforts be had put forward on behalf of the atte°mSa °'i . and tho success which had attended his labours. The speaker shnute t ’ lat th ° Sr ° lmd irnprovc ment3 should oo gone on with and thought the money could bo raised for the Purpose. The status of the Assoclar™ ant6d the work beip S carried xr th ® VGry oarliest moment f- 1 ’ A> Conway referred to the optimistic tone of the treasurer's Ssrafterwh , New President Takes Office. • Mr. L. H. Gollinson at this*stags assumed the office of President and xpressed the hope that he would bo able to accomplish as much for the: Association as Mr. Knight. H e also referred to tho proposed Improvements to the grounds and tho unfortunate loss in the art union campaign which had teen organised to securrf funds, for that work. However, ths Association might have come oul worse, than it did. He suggested several schemes which might- be ,organiscd to help the Association which, ho stated, had done more than-anything else, to advertise tho Manawatu. Mr, Gollinson also commented upon theestablishment of ‘ the Agricultural, College near Palmerston North and the splendid inspiration that institution should bo to tho farmers. | Mr.. Gollinson then presented, Mr. Knight with a past-Presldent’s badge and expressed the hope that he would live to wear it many years. Election Results. ; i The new President then announced the result of tho election of officers:' Treasurer, Mr. J. M. Johnston: vicepresidents, Messrs; R. D. D, McLean. J. A. Nash. E. Blundell, J. Llnklater, L., B. Wall and the Mayor of Palmerston North; committee, Messrs. D. Buchanan, K. Dalrymple, M. A. Eliott, J. Knight, R..D. Knight, 53. Macaulay, R. McDonald, W. G. Shannon, A.' Sutherland, T, Saunders,' H. Voss, C. E, Vile. >. Ground Improvements. .. . Mr» ,J, A. Nash moved-that, the; grounds ..committee be recommended' to proceed with'the improvements to the Showgrounds on tho lines of tho plan prepared by Mr. J, M. Johnston. —Carried. . Votes Of Thanks. Votes of. thanks for 1 services rendered were passed to tho retiring officials, donors, supporters, stewards, the Railway Department and the Press. “The position of tho Association Is largely due to tho high .ideals of Mr. J. M. Johnston, hon. treasurer,” stated Mr. T. R. Hodder, when proposing a vote of thanks to tho officials., Tho now President also referred to the loss the Association would sustain through the non-return of Messrs; H, R. Green, J. Bett and L. Millward, who had helped the Association a great deal. - Messrs. J. A. Nash and W. Blundell (Wellington) were also accorded special votes of thanks.

• • The secretary was asked.to convey! to Hon. D. Wilber, New York State, tho Association’s appreciation of the ■interest 3io had always taken In tho Palmerston North Shows and the hopo that ho would be able to attend the next Spring Show.

The seertaary, Mr. W. T. Penny, though mentioned last on .the list of thoso deserving thanks for excellent services rendered, was appropriately referred to as “tho man behind tho guns.”