WAITU A GRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12593, 7 June 1904, Page 7

WAITU A GRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

————«< — &KE 18tk annual meeting: of the members'of • the Waipu Agricultural Association was held ';;:'f' in the Library Hall, on May 28. The president (Mr. Qua. McKay* occupied the chair. The . Secretary and treasurer read the annual re* i fort, which dealt with the work done during the year. On the motion of Mr. A. McLentaan the report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. A hearty tote of thanks . was accorded the retiring officers for the able manner in which they had attended to the affairs of the association during the past year. The election of officers for the ensuing year -was then proceeded with, the president Bating that he did not think it wise to run B*o long in the same groove, but that it was advisable to hate a, change now and again, and with that in view he had decided not to accept office again. The following Officers were thea elected:—President. Mr. Angus Mclennan (Core): vice-president, Mr. D. M. McLean (Bridge); secretary and treasurer. John M. J. McKay, and a strong committee numbering about 30, of ladies and gentlemen. Mr. S. E. MeLeod was appointed auditor. A considerable amount of discussion took place a* to the advisability of hating all animals at the ohow judged according to points, and that the exhibitor? would be provided with tickets bearing: the numbers of the various points; by this means a person would be able t» know in what respect his stock were deficient or otherwise. One gentleman thought that the question might be left over until the Auckland association took the lead in the matter; but another thought there was no mason why this association should not lead Auckland, or the world for that matter; so ft motion was carried that the new committee consider the advisability of adopting this tystem, and, if possible, to have it tried at the next annual allow. Tenders were dealt *ith for the ploughing of the society's ground, end that of Mr. K. McDonald, for the sum of k£2 10? per acre, was accepted., The report referred to the loss the association ha* sustained by the death of Mr. C. J. Lang, who Sad been one of its members ever since it •;: Btarted, 18 years ago. and had from time to time acted on the committee. Although the I show was not what it promised to be had the weather been suitable, it is pleasing to Bote that it compares very favourably wit a those of the last <ew years; there being 151 : l - exhibitors this year against 142 last .year, 1 and 650 exhibits against 60C last year, made up - as follows:—Horses and sporting event*. 95, *>- ' against 105; cattle. 77, against 76; sheep, la. i against 11: pigs, dogs, and poultry. 14. against 9; field and garden produce, 108, against 136; dairy produce, bread; and preserves, 2fc>. against 153; needle and fancy work, and flower*, 138, against 1:10. The amount mud •way in prizes was virtually the same as last year, being £105 93 6d. against £105. in connection with these shows, the donors of special prizes are worthy of mention, •specially when we notice that out of the £105 paid away in prizes, about £65 of that ■was given bv parties from Auckland and Whangrarei. as well as local parties. In the annual report of last year reference was made to the property being purchased from the Church trustees or a show ground ana park, and that arrangements had been made with the Bank of New South Wales for an , - • overdraft of £200 in connection with it, and now that it has been purchased, and sub- - stantial and commodious sale and show yards erected thereon, besides clearing, partly fencing, and draining it, in fact having cost altogether about £245, there is only a debt of £140 on the association, which ir a very pleasing state of affairs, more especially as they have leased the yards for sale purposes at a rental of £26 a year for a term, of which there are 3| tears yet to run. During the last session of Parliament a .petition signed by 240 persons was sent to the Minister for ; JUnds. asking for a grant of a£l for £1 subsidy towards the purchase and improvement of the ground, and a vote of £200 lias been Placed on- the Estimates, and the committee have lately received communication from the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Auckland. asking to forward him receipts of the purchase price of the land, so that he could procoed to pay over half that amount, and also to forward him a statement of the cost* of improvements already made and those Intended to be made. The tnanks of the association are especially due to Mr. V. Mander, M.H for the trouble and pains he nas taken to secure this grant; and more especially for his voluntary donation of £25 Riven toward the park fund. t Although the ■■-•'•■ balance-sheet shows a small deficit it would be well for all to remember that the associa- • tion now holds a substantial asset in tins Piece of ground already referred to. and was never in a more prosperous condition man at present, and it has a greater number ot member, now than on any previous occasion.