AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9274, 21 April 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

The animal meeting of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company’s buildings on Friday afternoon. There were about twenty members present, and Mr W. H. Levin (President) occupied tbo chair.

The annual report (the substance of which has already been published) was read by the Secretary. The balance-sheet showed that the total receipts amounted to £1489 3a 7d. The receipts for the November show amounted to £552 8s Si, and the Pam and Ewe Fair £42 Os 9d. Members’ subscriptions amounted to £234 10s, and donations and special prizes to £194 4s. The expenses in connection with the November show amounted to £532 14s lOd and ram and owe fair £C4 15s. General expenses amounted £577 15a 2d. The assets, consisting of oattlo yards, sheds, &c. were set down at £597 15s, This sum, as compared with the liabilities, showed a balance in favour of the Association of £132 4s lOd,

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the President said that many of the members would no doubt be disap* pointed on looking at the balance-sheet and would be inclined to make unfavourable comparisons oo compared with the previous year. They must, however, remember, that they had had extremely disagreeable weather for the show, and this no doubt had affected the receipts to the extent of £2OO or £250. The chances were that next year they would fully make up for it. There was no doubt that the show had hitthe popular taste. Itappealed to all classes of the community, and this was evinced by the fact that, despite the un* favourable weather, there had been a com** puratively large attendance at the Show. The Show also commended itself to exhibitors, as was shown by the faot that last year they had bad a much larger number of exhibitors than in the preceding year, and there was every indication that the number would be larger than ever this year. In his official capacity, he had come in contact with a number of exhibitors from other parts of New Zealand, and they had all ex* pressed pleasure at the efforts made by the Association in dealing with their stock. They had also stated that the success of the Show had far exceeded their anticipations. He (Mr Levin) feit that a little more life shonid be put into the Association by the people who were most interested in it. More interest should be taken in the Association by the stock growers, and breeders, and the people of Wellington. He especially wanted the people of Wellington to assist the Association by becoming annual members. It appeared to him, considering the population of the city and the surrounding districts, that the number of members was very much short of what it ought to be. Instead of 338 members, they should have 1000 or 1500. With a roll of membership like that the Association would be second to none in the Colony, He felt sure that the incoming Committee would bear this important fact in miud. The expenditure last year was increased by circumstances over which the Committee had no control. The Show had to be postponed in consequence of the strike, and this had cost them a considerable sum in advertising and postages. There were also other items of expenditure, which would not occur again. The Association had held a Ram and Ewe Fair—the first which had been held in the neighbourhood of Wellington and the result had exceeded the most sanguine anticipation*. He believed that they would receive a far larger number of entries for the Fair next year. One of tbo principal ©vents at tho last Show was the leaping match, for which the ladies of Wellington had given a very valuable trophy. He took a most hopeful view of the future of tho Association, and ho felt sure that if tbn new committee threw themselves into their work tho Association would bo in a much bettor position by the next annual meeting. He then formally moved the adoption of the repoit and balance-sheet. Mr J. McClean seconded the motion. Mr N. Grace asked how it was that there was such a discrepancy between tho roll of membership and the subscriptions. Dr Newman explained that he had gone through the list of possible subscribers with tho Secretary, and they bad found that the number was only 34. It was ridiculous to say that tho number was 104. The Secretary, in reply to Mr N, Grace, said that there wore entry fees to the amount of £6 IDs still owing. In reply to Mr N. Grace, the President said that a large sum of money had be;n spent on advertising during the last year, and an attempt would be made to cut down the expenditure in this direction during the present year, Tho motion for tho adoption of the report and balance sheet was then put and carried. The election of officers resulted as follows :—President ; Dr Newman, M.H.R. Vice President: Mr W. E. Bidwill. Com. mittee : Hon C. J. Johnston, M.L.C., Messrs H. H. Beetham, F. Brady, W. EL Broderick, H, D. Crawford, P. H, Dickson, J. T. Dalcymple, W, G. Foster, J. R. Forster Piatt, W. A. Fitzherberfc, G. Hunter, E. C. Mills, J. R. McClean, A. Matthews, A, McKenzie, E. J. Riddiford, J. Stuckey, C. Phillips, D. G. Riddiford, W. H. Levin, E, Barber, N. Grace, G. H. Scales, J. Bell. Treasurer: Mr E. C. Mill", Auditors : Messrs Ouningham, Bad. ham, and Co.

A hearty vote of thanks was awarded to Mr Levin for the great interest bo had always taken iu the Association. Mr Levin returned thanks, and tho meeting then terminated.