A. AND P. ACTIVITIES

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 81, 6 April 1939, Page 6

A. AND P. ACTIVITIES

Annual Meeting of Manawatu Association

MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN THIS COMING YEAR

There was an attendance of 20 at the 53rd annual general meeting of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association, held in Palmerston North last night. Mr. A. Burgess, the retiring president, was in the chair until the election of Mr. C. E. Vile.

“I shall deal briefly with some of the principal features in what has been one of the most eventful years in the history of the association,” stated Mr. Burgess in speaking to his to his report, as already published.

“The measure of success which lias been achieved is mainly the result ot' splendid co-operation on the part of the committee, the members and the general public. Living as I do at a considerable distance from Palmerston North, I have not always found it convenient or possible to attend the many meetings which have been held during this year. Even so it may surprise you, as it surprised me, when on referring to my diary, I found that my duties have necessitated no less than 74 trips to Palmerston North on show business. There would have been many more if it had not been for the assistance of several members of the committee wlio, at my request, very kindly took over the chairmanship of some important sub-committees. I refer to Mr. J. A. Russell, who acted as chairman of the school children’s day committee, the oval committee and the ball committee. Each of these committees, under the able chairmanship of Mr. Russell, has accomplished some outstanding work, the results of which will be felt for years. Mr. J. A. Nasfi did excellent work as chairman 01 the Miss New Zealand beauty contest committee, a committee which was responsible for organising a popular and very profitable portion of the programme of the spring show entertainment. Mr. L. B. Wall has also done valuable work as farm manager, and it is not his fault that prices for sheep had fallen considerably by the time our ewes were put up for sale and the anticipated profit was not realised. “I have not forgotten the encouragement and promises of support given to me at the beginning of my term of office by Messrs. T. R. Hodder, M. A. Eliott, J. Linklater and Jas. Knight and, in particular, the senior vicepresident, Mr. C. E. Vile. The fine 3Xample set me by my predecessor, Mr. Russell, was difficult to emulate. It is, therefore, a great pleasure to be able to report a further subotantial improvement in the association's affairs. “The members’ grandstand has been re-roofed and should now be a benefit to the show and to sports bodies for many years to come. It is an ass-it to the whole district. The hon. treasurer has reported on the ltnanciai aspect of the undertaking. I will content myself with expressing the thanks of this association to all those who in various ways have helped to provide part of the £4977 expenditure involved. Of this sum £2182 was raised by gala days, balls, profits from the circus, life membership subscriptions and special donations over a period of three years.” The finest loudspeaker system in New Zealand had been installed as a permanent part of our show equipment, Mr. Burgess continued. The value of this system was most noticeable at a spring show, when the whole of the grounds and building could be covered. It was a wonderful assistance to shovv management and the clear announcements had been much appreciated by the public. Mr. Burgess thanked all who had assisted with the installation.

After referring to the improvements that were being effected to the oval and football grounds, Mr. Burgess thanked the Young Farmers’ Clubs for their cooperation in the staging of sevma; attractions and for other assistance gi\en. In connection with schpol childr» n’s day at the winter show, he expressed the hope that every encouragement would continue to be given to young people to take an interest in the

« ssociation, as it was to them that tho association must look for future .-ommittees, exhibitors and stewards. Reference was made by Mr. Burgess to the Miss New Zealand Beauty Contest, and he thanked all who had assisted.

“The general committee aud tho lion, treasurer have covered most of the aspects of the two shows in their reports,” Mr. Burgess continued. “The comprehensive nature of the shows has been fully maintained. I am pleased to see more and more utility classes being included iu the schedule, as the association is in this way doing excellent work in helping our primary producers to learn by practical experience which types of lamb, pork, bacon, etc., are the most profitable to produce. After all it is the marketable value of our produce which is of vital importance. There is a tendency, however, to have too many classes m some sections of the schedule, thus making the ratio of prize money to entry fees too high. It would appear also that, by comparison with other associations, our entry fees are in some sections too low, vrnile tho prizes are better than average. This matter is to be the subject of a special investigation by the committee. “A full report concerning the gala day will be presented to the next meeting of the general committee, when votes of thanks will be accorded to all those who assisted.

“I would like to make a suggestion for the benefit of the Incoming committee. Owing to the many new activities in which the association now engages, it has become necessary to appoint many, sub-committees. These committees spend a lot of time attending to the particular work they have been asked to do and I think it would be well to give them power to act except as regards expenditure, which would have to be passed by the finance committee. This would save the time at general committee meetings and the trust so placed in the sub-committees would not, I am sure, be abused. “In conclusion I desire to thank all those who have helped during the year. It would bo impossible to mention

everyone in this report. There are many silent workers without whom we could not progress. I do wish, however, to make special reference to tne work done by the organising secretary, Mr. H. E. Kissling, whose duties now are many and varied. His task of finding fresh attractions is not an easy one, but he has been very active and has produced many new and profitable features. He has been capaoiy assisted by the staff, all of whom have given their best efforts to the association and have always been willing to give information and assistance at any hour of the day or night. Mr. Kissling has told me of the voluntary assistance given in the office during each of the shows by Mrs. F. Gowing, and I wish here to extend my thanks to Mrs. Gowing for this much appreciated help. It is fitting that I should also make mention here of the five years of service rendered by Mr. W. T. Penny, who has kept the association’s books in a professional capacity since his retirement from the secretaryship. Mr. Penny has discharged his duties under the contract in a highly satisfactory manner and has co-operated with the secretary in every possible way. The contract has now been completed and I thank Mr. Penny for his faithful service."

Mr. T. R. Hodder, tho acting hon. treasurer, congratulated Mr. Burgess on his interesting and comprehensive report. Speaking iu regard to the balance-sheet, he said it was rather alarming that the liabilities had increased by £5300, but against this, the assets, after writing off £461 for depreciation, showed an increase of £5500. Both the winter and spring shows had been great successes and respectable profits had accrued from each. The association had made great strides from a humble beginning, aud he questioned whether there was another association in New Zealand with such valuable assets.

Officers for the coming year were declared elected as follow: Patron, his Excellency, Viscount Galway; president, Mr. C. E. Vile; vice-presidents, Messrs. B. E. Keiller W. J. Blundell (Wellington;, j. noagens, M.P., A. E. Mansford, H. Voss, E. W. Barnett; treasurer, Mr. M. A. Eliott; committee (12 vacancies), Messrs, lv. S. GJendinning, S. R. Thomson, J. Linklater, R. Craig, K. F. Kirk, T. E. Collins, A. 11. Guy, W. T. Bailey, A. Burgess, J. A. Edwards, J. A. Mitchell and A. E. Rutledge; auditor, Mr. N. L Nielsen.

In returning thanks for his election as president, Mr. Vile paid a tribute to the work done by Mr. Burgess and said he would have a hard job to the example set by his predecessor. Ho intended during the year to launch a new member campaign, nad he sought the active support of members in raising the membership te IUOO. Mr. Burgess handed over to Mr. Vile the president’s badge, while Mr. Vile invested Mr. Burgess with a past president’s badge.

On the motion of Mr. Keiller, seconded by Mr. J. Batchelar, it was decided that the funds of the association be vested in the general committee.

Votes of thanks were accorded the retiring members of the committee, tho staff, donors, and all who had assisted the association during the past year.