Mangonui County A. & P. Association.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 39, 14 May 1907, Page 7

Mangonui County A. & P. Association.

The annual meeting of members of the above was held in the hall, Kaitaia, on April 27th. Mr. H. B. Matthews occupied the chair, and there was a very good attendance of members.

A vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing officers, auditors and committee, also to Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Smith for their valuable help show day in carrying out the luncheon arrangements. A hearty vote of thanks was also aocorded to the Auckland and local business firms who donated special prizes to the show funds. It was resolved to raise the member’s subscription to 10/6 for the current year. Five new members were elected. Mr, Herbert Matthews was elected president for the ensuing year. A vote of thanks was aocorded to the judges for their kind assistance on show day.

Messrs. Grigg and Brent were reappointed auditors and Mr. J. L. Hester treasurer.

A general committee of nineteen was appointed, and a committee of five ladies to suggest improvements in the home industry sections, and to influence the young people in the district to take more interest in the show.

Messrs. Hollis and Matthews were empowered to deal with the offer to lease the Herekino sections of the Association,

After considerable discussion it was resolved to add-£lO to the sinking fund and carry the balance-forward. The annual report read as follows: “ Gentlemen, —Vour committee have pleasure in submitting for youi- consideration the 21st annual report. There are fifty-two financial members. During the year the following improvements have been effeoted, viz.: Sliding door to hall re-hung, gateway metalled, lane water-tabled ana levelled off, seven new sheep pens erected, showground divided, and hill comer fenced off. New framing was made for the show-tables and the boards numbered, so that on future occasions the putting up of the tables should he done at small cost and with dispatch. A lamp, etc., was also obtained for the committee room.

The entry fees in classes 1,2, 8 and 4 were raised to members from 2/- to 2/6 and in classes 5,6, 7,8, 9 and 10 to 1/and 2/- in place of 6d. and 1/- respectively, the prizes Btill remaining the same nominal value in each case. Exhibitors did not appear to appreciate the change in most oases, and no doubt exhibits were held hack. There were additions made to the schedule and several curtailments, but the schedule does not appear to he entirely satisfactory and requires further revision. ®

Messrs. Oldfield and Long have arranged to hold monthly sales at Kaitaia, bar those months in which Messrs. Wakelin and Crane advertise sales at the Associations yards. The weather for the last year with the exception of a few floods, has been very favourable to agricultural pursuits, but unfortunately the highest floods recorded for over 80 years happened about the middle of last January and practicidly destroyed exhibits that would have come forward in class V farm produce), which are always relied upon for making the inside show attractive.

In classes VII and VIII the ladies did not make man}’ entries, and the curtailment of their handiwork was a distinct loss to the show in the hall, although some of the exhibits shown were very choice. The show was held on the Bth of March, and, hut for the reasons indicated, would have no doubt been a record one. The stock exhibits in moßt cases were very good, being an improvement on other years. The local business firms and Auckland merchants donated a fine lot of special prizes, which were a considerable help to the committee in financing the show. Between 700 and 800 people visited the show, and through the erection of the dividing fence horses .and vehicles were not allowed to approach the hall as in the past, the absence of danger being much appreciated by all. The fact that there were no spoi ta of any kind was a disappointment to many. The balance-sheet clearly shows the financial position of the Association, and the receipts and disbursement of funds for the year, the total receipts, including cash in hand from last year, having been £122 17/1, while the expenditure amounted to £94 17/-, leaving a balance in hand (including £o sinking fund) of £2B 0/1. Your Committee recommend the setting aside of a further sum of £2O as sinking fund against the p.n. for £75, which might, with the present sinking fund be applied to reduce the promisory note when it again fallß due. The assets show the substantial amount of £363 5/1 over liabilities. ■* / The Association’s thanks are due to all who acted as judges at last show, and also to those who assisted on show day, especially to Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Smith, who practically lost their day’s pleasure in providing and serving luncheon under rather trying circumstances. The time has arrived when the members should seriously consider the advisability of increasing the annual subscriptions and coming more into line with other similar societies of standing, where the annual sub. is a guinea. The catering requirements might also he worked by the Association, as the present booth system is not satisfactory. The dairying industry is getting a firm hold on settlers, who are realising its importance to their individual welfare and progress, and the season so far has been a great advancement on previous years. The flax industry has made good progress and with timber brings a considerable revenue in royalties from Crown Lands to the local body. Cattle are still at low valueß, and settlers should be careful to improve their

herds, so that when an improvement takes place, they wilLhave quality as well as numbers to recoup themselves. Sheep might with advantage be increased in numbers outside the dairying centres, as wool and mutton have never been higher in value than lately. There are at present about 18,000 sheep instead of 50,000 in the Mangonui County, and if sheep took the place of cattle on some of the farms and runs, flax would soon spread and with the sheep would be of far greater value than cattle oould be under the most favourable'oireumstances.

In conclusion, the proposed Land Bill before the country is a matter of vital importance to further the -settlement of this County and New Zealand generally. It would appear that the socialists and labour parties have no limits to their absurd demands, and all over the British Dominions they, through numbers, are getting a tenacious hold upon the various Governments of the day on the mistaken policy that the majority should rule, even if made up of aliens and the driftwood of humanity. The freehold is the birthplace of that feeling of independence whioh is characteristic of the element in the British which causes other people to respect them. Besides being the soul and stay of the settlers, the freehold has ever been the ohief means of building up the British Empire, and everyone interested in the land tenuie question should do all in their power to maintain the optional systems of acquiring the freehold over limited areus. H. B. MATTHEWS, President M.C.A. and P. Association."