THE AGRICULTURAL HALL COMPANY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12351, 13 May 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE AGRICULTURAL HALL COMPANY.

The annual meeting of sharehoders of the Agricultural Hull Company was kid in the Hoard Koom of tho Agricultural Buildings on .May •2, and attended by the Hon. T, Fcvgiiß (in the chair), Messrs .1. Angus, W. U. Taggart, J. 11. Morrison, l.eorgo Roberts, G. Simpran, and H. G. Campbell (secretary),

Iho directors beg to submit herewith a copy ot tho audited balance shoit for the yim ending March 31, 1302, showing a balance of JE73O 83 I'M to the crc-lit ot profit and loss account. Iho reuts during tho past year show an increase on tho preceding year 01 £259 6s .Id, whilst tho actual surplus ot revenue over expenditure amounts to £314 Ms 4d. During the year, as will be seen by the imionnt ot revenue, tho budding has boon lotting very well.

The new floor for the Victoria Hall, which was mentioned in tho iasi report, wr.s finished in tinle for tho numetous dsneo which took place in that hall in the winter months. During the months of July and August the reuts wire mote than double, and it is anticipated that during the coming year it will chow even better results than during the past jear. The premise's r.ccounl shows an increase o! £150 IGs sd; -which is. accounted fnr by the fact oi the lioiv floor ill tho Victotia Hall," alab two strong room doors which hud to bo procured for offices in the building to facilitato the tenants.

Tho now staircase to tho gallery of the main hall was erected by the Entertainment Committee prior to the visit of their Hoynl High, nesses tho Ditlto and Duchess of Cornwall and York, free bf cost to the company. It has undoubtedly added to the appearance and convenience of tile hall.

With the improvements and alterations alrewly effected the directors do not anticipate cny inrthcr extensive, expenditure in the moantime.

The present directors are Messrs Thomas ISiyclone (chairman), W. Patrick, James Shicl, James Hazlett, E. P. Duthio, George lloherts, J. H. MacEv.-an, J. H. Morrison, It. Campbell, ti. H. Gilroy, John Angus,-and the Hon. Tlios. Fergus. These,, gentlemen, nceorcliiig to the proposal muni last year, retire, but are eligible lot le-tleetion. ; The Chairijiaii said he thought that all would agree With him that the year's business had been most. satisfactory. The hall tvas used at the entertainment of the Duke and Duchess of York, and they might well bo gratified at the appearance which the building presented on that auspicious occasion. The brilliant effect was such as had not before been teen in Otago, and he ventured to pay- wa« not excelled in any other of the largo cities of the colony. The Duke expressed himself as highly pleased with the show held in the implement hall annexes, and said he had no idea Mich a well-planned Agricultural Hall existed in New Zealand, Turning to the accounts—on the dibit side they would notice that the capital stood at £918, as against £738 for the previous year. The difference was .accounted for by 18 shares df £10 each taken up by sundry gentlemen and the Agricultural arid pastoral Society. Debentures were.as before, £5990, and the rosorve fund £1099 4s sd; sundry creditors, £24 14s, as against £210 4s 7d; deposits bearing Interest £2896, as against £2446. The bank account showed a reduction of £112. Tho credit aide of the balance sheet was touched on in the report so far as the increase in the value of Hie buildings was concerned,, Sundry debtors were £230, as against £258 the preceding year. In the profit and ioss account, nil the law charges with the exception of £20 incurred since the floating of the company were debited to this year, General expenses were slightly increased. Gas had cost £73 3s 4tl, as> agaiiift £65 10s sd, owing to the increased iiso. of the hall. Interest was reduced by £23, and should becdme less year by year, as more shares were taken up. There was a net increase of £259 6s 'Id. for rents received, and the final credit, balance of the profit ami loss account was £739 9s lOd as against £424 15s 6d. Taking the building and furniture as per ironies, £11,669 6s 4d,' and ; .taking the reserve and profit and loss, £1838, left a. balance of £9931 6s 4d, which might be considered as very satisfactory. Much of their success was owing to the energy of Mr Campbell, their secretary. Ho took a rfal live interest in the company, and ncgleoled: no opportunity of advancing its interests. Apart from the original purpose for which the hall was; built—i.e., for agricultural shows,—it was of hnmence use to the citizens. It was economically worked, and they bad the active co-operatioii of all the shareholders. When the city supply of electricity was available the directors expected lliat more economical arrangements would ho made for lighting. The (iiieslion of heating the large hall was engaging their attention. The directors did not forget, however, that the chief object was to get the hall clear of debt as quickly as possible, in order to hand the sartio over to the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, as provided in the articles of association. Last year had been very successful, and the forthcoming year should lie even more so. At the lust meeting of the directors they resolved to effect ii number of much-needed improvements to the ball—making the accommodation id Hie gallery more comfortable, and also improving the stage accommodation and the means of getting from one side to the other. When these tilings had beeit done, he thought the hall would compare with any South of the Line. He would Wove tho adoption of tho report (already published). The report was adopted. The Hon. T. Fergus was unanimously fleeted as cliairrhiin of directors for the ensiling year. The following directors were re-elected:— Hon, T. Fergus (chairman), Messrs T. llrydnne, AV. Patrick. James Shiel. James Hazlett, R F. Dnthie, George Roberts, J n - ;\'" c lif n "' ,T - H - Mnrrtafh, R. Campbell, U. H. Gilroy, and J. Angus. Mr ,T. Angus wan re-elected treasurer and Mr T. Calleuder auditor. There was no further business.