War’s Effect On Whangarei A. & P. Activities

Northern Advocate, 18 November 1941, Page 3

War’s Effect On Whangarei A. & P. Activities

“Our Association, in common with 3 others, has felt the effects of the world- ’ wide war, and this has resulted in the suspension of all normal activities,” • states the annual report of the president of the Whangarei Agricultural *•' and Pastoral Society (Mr. H. W. ' James). The report is to be tabled at ■ the annual meeting of the society on ■ Friday night. “At the last annual meeting, mem- ’ bers were sufficiently optimistic to in--1 struct their incoming executive to pro- > ceed with both the Winter and Summer shows,” the'report reads. “Preliminary i work was at once put in hand and an ; assurance was received from the Min- : ister for Defence advising that Ken- : sington Park would definitely be avail- , able for the society’s usual fixture in ; March. However, it came to the knowledge of the executive that to enable this fixture to be carried on, a great propor- , tion of the camp fittings would have to be demolished at a cost which the executive did not feel justified in asking the country to bear, and accordingly it resolved to abandon the Stock Show for 1941. This action appeared to meet with the general approval of all sections of the community and the authorities concerned,” states the report. Lease Of Buildings Early in the year, the Army Department made inquiries regarding the proposed purchase of the Winter Show Buildings for military purposes. The executive realised that the Government was empowered, if it so desired, to commandeer these buildings for this purpose, so negotiations for the disposal of the property were instituted. At a later date the proposal to purchase was abandoned and a request received from the Army Department for the lease of the buildings for the duration and six months afterwards. A price was submitted to the authorities and after protracted negotiations a settlement was finally arrived at which, taking ail factors into consideration, could be considered reasonably satisfactory to the society. Cessation of Activities The cessation of the society’s activities had been most disappointing to the executive and himself, Mr. James’ report stated, particularly in view of the fact that the past few years had witj nessed a steady climb up the ladder of j progress for the society. But howj ever disappointing to members and the general public this had proved, it should be realised that such sac- | rifices were necessary in the common 1 cause of the Empire and should cheerj fully be accepted. j Ililiiahua Reclamation | “We anxiously anticipate the time when the activities of the society can be again resumed on a greater scale than ever,” the report states. “With this object in view, the executive is proceeding with the preliminary work on the Hihiahua reclamation. At the present time a large proportion of the ground is sufficiently consolidated to allow of the passage of vehicles. As soon as the filling is completed it is intended to proceed with the levelling and grassing of the area. A comprehensive scheme has been drawn up for the laying out and planting of this new show ground, and it is pleasing to record that already many offers of assistance have been received in this connection.” Mr. James states he is optimistic regarding the future development of this area, and feels confident that when it is completed Whangarei will have a show and sports ground second to none in the Dominion. Special thanks were due to the Whangarei Harbour Board for its willing co-operation in Ibis project. Loyalty of Members A large number of members had remained loyal to the association and had renewed their subscriptions in spite of the fact that no activities were being carried out. Their loyalty was deeply appreciated and it was hoped that more members would emulate the good work of these stalwarts. The executive had decided to recom- ; mend to the annual meeting that the annual subscription be reduced to 10/6 until such time as normal activities ■ were resumed.

Reporting on the financial side of the association's activities, Mr. James states that the accounts submitted with his report showed a very satisfactory position for the society, when viewed in the light that the executive was obliged to proceed with its usual expenditure on account of its intention to carry out all normal activities, and also through the protracted negotiations over the lease of the winter show buildings. While these matters were outside the control of the executive, and regret was expressed that expenses had mounted up, it was felt that the final conclusions justified the actions taken during the year. “The thanks of the executive are due to all those who have continued their support and we sincerely trust that the coming year will bring victory to our Empire and thus enable us. in common with our fellow men. to resume the good, work carried on by the society,” concludes Mr. James’ report. Balance Sheet An analysis of the balance sheet reveals a loss of £287 on working, in the general revenue account. Payments in this account totalled £743. Receipts comprised: Members’ subscriptions. £347; rents, £104; interest from bank, £5. The credit balance of the accumulated fund was shown as £3435. The main item among the assets was land and buildings, £5156. Contingent assets were: Life interest Kensington Park, £2000; cattle, sheep and dog pavilions, £1378; trophies. £IOO, and share turnstiles, £BS.

An amusing story about, smoking! The headmaster of a Chiswick (London) boarding-school, according to the famous journalist. Geo. Augustus Sala, who was one of the pupils, announced that if a boy was caught smoking he wouldn't be caned, but on three alternate days for a week he'd be supplied at dinner-lime with a clean clay and half an ounce of “Shag.” “We had very few smokers after that,” said Sala. The taste of tobacco must be acquired, and is wor'h acquiring, for smoking probably yields more pleasure to its votaries than anything else, and provided the quality of the baccy’s right, rmoking won’t do anyone mucli harm! The trouble Is the quality’s so often wrong! Excess of nicotine is responsible for that. The purest tobacco of all is “toasted,” for toasting frees it. so largely of nicotine. Hence its innocuousness! The five famoils (and only genuine) tcasted brands. Cut. Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), Cavendish, Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold, are not only the most delightful of all tobaccos but the safest! R.P.9G