WALLACE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3566, 18 July 1922, Page 12

WALLACE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

The eighteenth annual meeting of the above wax? held in the Reading Room. T own Hall, on Wednesday, July 12. when 25 members were present. Mr P. Beggs (President), was in the chair. The annual report was submitted, as follows: It. is a difficult matter to know how to adequately describe the operations of the year. Fortunately, the calamitous slump which appeared to have settled down on the trade of the world shows signs of lifting, and there is a decidedly more cheerful and hopeful spirit manifested h.v tiie producer and merchant. Prices of primary products, other than beef, are becoming more stabalised. and are at a level that, may be considered reasonably profitable. Prices of goods which have to be purchased by the producer have not shown the same, tendency to settle down at an equivalent value to those which have, now to be accepted for produce. Still, the tendency is towards cheaper buying.’ and the current year may see all hands trading on a more equal footing. Our summer show was quite a successful fixture, entries showing a material increase, and entry foes and admissions both substantially rising over fast year. With one exception, the amount

received for membership fees is the largest since the commencement of the Association, a large number of new members enrolling' during the year. In this connection, however, it is with regret the directors note an exceptionally large arrears list, £BS 10s being unpaid for members' fees. These members have given no notice of intention to resign, and fully one-half of them have availed themselves of the privilege attaching to their members’ tickets. These arrears are embarrassing the Association’s finance, and their payment would materially lessen the bank overdraft. Members in arrears are earnestly asked to pay up. The usual Ram Fair was conducted, and a goodly number of rams sold. A great deal of work was done on the ground by the directors. On two occasions working bees were run, and the response was splendid. The society was saved a large amount, oi expenditure on repairs of yards etc. Tho directors will welcome suggestions from members for stimulating interest in the Society and for promoting its success. You will be called upon to elect, ten directors in place of (hat number retiring, and also to elect several additional directors for a shorter term than three years to replace those whose seats have become vacant under Section 7 of (he Rules of the Association. You will also require to make the usual appointments of treasurer and auditor. Speaking to the report, Mr Beggs deprecated the fact that they were £4O worse off this year. It was hard to run an association under the extraordinary conditions which were prevailing at the present time, farmers and others finding difficulties with regard (o finance. He felt, in urging the members to pay their subscriptions, they wore calling upon them to do something which they could not. hut lie hoped that during the coming year the outlook would be brighter. Ihe last, show had lieen a great success, and the stock exhibited was the best in the district, and it would be a calamity to allow it to go back. He considered these small shows wore feeders for the larger ones, as the breeders at small shows worked to the larger centres. The report was adopted. The balance-sheet was also read and adopted. Before vacating the chair, Mr Beggs thanked members for the support accorded him during his term of office. The secretary, Mr John Fisher, had been a tower of strength to him in carrying out his duties as president. Mr W. Kennedy, his successor, had been a successful exhibitor, and he was sure he would take a- keen interest in the Association and do his best for its welfare. The speaker stated that he intended still to be a live member, as he recognised a show wins a great asset to any district.

| Mr Kennedy, on taking tire chair as president thanked members for the honour i conferred, stating that he would do his best for the Association, and urged upon members the necessity of giving him their whole-hearted support. Mr D. Teviotdale was elected vice-presi- ! dent, Mr Porteous was re-elected auditor, | and Mr John Fisher re-elected treasurer. Messrs J. T. Beck, J. Dickson, A. C. Cochrane, E. Clent. James Tow, John Lindsay, J. Muir, D. McGregor. T. Norman, J. B. Purdue. J. R. Reidie, and C. T. Grant were re-elected to the directorate. Messrs Pullar, J. M. Lindsay, W. Ayson, Healey, and J. T. Fiett were appointed in place of those who forfeited their seats through non-attend-ance. With a view to wiping off the Association’s indebtedness to the bank, it was resolved that the, catering at next show be undertaken by the directors. The Southland A. and P. Association i wrote suggesting that A. and P. Associai tions have direct reciprocal representation j on one another's councils, and members j approved of the proposal. I The President, Secretary, Messrs P. Beggs, ! T. Norman, J. T. Beck. G. H. Stevens, | W. Ayson, John Lindsay, and James were appointed a committee to carry out arrangements for a stock demonstration on the Show Grounds at an early date. The date of the summer show was fixed for Wednesday. November 15. It was decided that the directors’ meetings be held on stock sale day after which the annual meeting adjourned.