TOKOMAIRIRO FARMERS' CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12446, 1 September 1902, Page 8

TOKOMAIRIRO FARMERS' CLUB.

The thirty-sixth annual meeting of the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club was held in St. George's Hall oil Friday evening, when. over 100 members were present, the president (Mr John. Tough) occupying the chair. The report stated, inter alia: —The finances were in a satisfactory position, there .being a credit balance of .-£7O 17s 9d, with which to. start the year's work,; permanent improvements, costing £30, had been effected, on the club's ground, besides £11 spent on the purchase o£ small birds' eggs. The membership roll showed a slight increase. The annual parade of stallions on October 8- brought out nine horses, being an increase of four on the previous year. Competition at the annual stock show on December 3 was very keen, especially in light horses and daii;y produce, the entries in these sec-tions-constituting a record, all round there being an' increase of 33 entries. The sixth annual winter show on June 20, when a field turnip competition was held, was also very successful. In making reference to the death .of Mr James liiglis, the report stated that'he had acted .■'continuously.as an office-bearer since 1868." He had beeii president more than once, and ,was secretary for many years. By his death the club has lost one of its oldest and staunchest supporters. The principal items on the, balance sheet.were: Receipts—Stock show, £332'5s Gd; winter show, £144 7s; county exhibit, '£32' 18s 8d; general, £20 10s; balance from last year, .£B-1 7s 3d. Expenditure—Stock show, £270 3s 8d; Winter show, £140 12s 10a : county exhibit, £33 19s 7d; general, £102 l4s 7d,. The report and balance sheet' _ were adopted on the motion- of the president, seconded by Mr R. Pealtie. The' election of piesideht for the ensuing year brought out two candidates—-the retiring vice-president (Mr R. Ferguson) and, Mr James M'Leod, —and considerable interest was manifested in the election. On a" ballot being taken Mr Ferguson scored 56 votes to'his opponent's 41, and thereupon took the chair amidst hearty applause. The new president is an old member of the club, of unassuming manner, but thoroughly hard-working and trustworthy .in his efforts to promote the welfare of the club; and he is to be congratulated on the honour conferred upon liihi. Mr Fergusoii briefly returned thanks. A young, enthusiastic committeeman in the,person.of Mr William Farquharson was elected unopposed to tho vice-presidency' on the, motion of Mr Thomas Scott, seconded by Mr James Nome. Tho new committee are as follows:—Messrs J. Tough, J. Allison, James Norrie, G. TJ Martin, James Grey, J. M'Leod, W. Thornton, A. Fraser, T. Hitchon, and P. Porter. Mr' W. W. P. Hall was unanimously re-elected, treasurer, and Messrs J. J. Lane and H. M. Miirryatt auditors. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr jVI. Henderson, seconded by Mr Murray,' that the next annual meeting be held in July. Mr Peattie moved, and Mr Moore seconded, a recommendation to the effect that' £5 be voted by the committee towards. the expenses of the local Coronation celebrations. Mr M. Henderson moved that the club place on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered by the retiring president (ill' Tough). This was seconded by Mr John Parlaue and carried, and Mr Tough briefly returned thanks. Votes of thanks to tho treasurer arid the auditors were carried by acclamation, and the meeting closed. A smoke concert was held after the meeting, when a large number of members were entertained by the nowly-elected president and vice=president and Mr H. Russell.—[Own correspondent.]