A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9098, 16 March 1901, Page 3

A. AND P. SOCIETY.

♦ The Committee of the above Association met m the secretary's offlce this afternoon. Present : Messis. J. Alacfar--lane (m the chair), Dewing, Hoiden, Gray, Dobbie, Barker, H. M. Watson, W. Smith, Bright, Mason, ami A. F. Kennedy y ' Correspondence "bas read : From the Park Directors stating that a sub-committee would meet the Association re drainage that afternoon. — RecgivccL From the secretary, suggesting the purchase of a proper set 'of- books.—Received. From the auditors, suggesting same; that accounts over £1 should all be paid by cheque, and that the year end m January instead of June, so that subs, would close at the time of tlie Association's balance.— Ali- • A. F. Kennedy spoke m support, urging that the present balance-sheet be taken as a basis of a new set of books. The system m vogue was one that had been taken over by the secretory and continued as it ha.d been m force for many years. The audit at present had "to be conducted from a cash-book and a number of memorandum books, thus taking far too long. The (accounts had been carefully handled, and every item was capable . of full explanation.— lt was decided to get - the books as suggested. . Air Smith asked for an explanation of the item m the minutes concerning the Patutahi Domain. He did not understand what was wanted. The Association had paid no rent for 21 years, and now it appeared that they wanted it for nothing.— The Chairman said that it was practically an endowment for the Association.—Air Smith said that there was a lease of the ground (15 acres) at a pepper-corn rent. The Domain Board had not been consulted at all.— Members agreed that possibly it would have been better had the Board been consulted, and it was decided, on the motion of Air Dewing, seconded by All- Gray, to approach the Board with reference to a renewal of the^east on the old terms, as the.lease; the Chairman pointed out, would fall m shortly. The Treasurer,- under rule 11, is supposed to prepare the balance-sheet. This Mr Bright said he had understood to refer to the time when the treasurer was a. paid officer of the Society, his duties being combined with those of secretary. If the hon. treasurer had to make a balance-sheet, he would be, unable to take the duties. He would have no objection to conferring with the * secretory concerning the matter of opening new books. Finally it was agreed to open new books under the treasurer's direction, and it was admitted that to insist 3b an hon. treasurer preparing the balance-sheet was asßhg too much. The auditors' recommendation concerning making payment of subscriptions close -at December 31st, instead of June, was discussed at length, it even being suggested that, should the subscriptions not be paid! bed oi<a the Show, tickets, lie withheld. This was Air S 11 "* 11 '^ suggestion, and met with general approval. Air Bright: Then why not make it October Ist?— The Chairman suggested appointing a sub-committee to revise the rules, which had not been revised since 1892.— -Air Dobbie mpved that the Chairman, Messrs. Hoiden, Gray, and Bright be the Committee to deal-with the matter.—Mr Smith seconded, the Committee to report to next Carried. Alessrs. Harding, Hepburn, and Nasmith waited on the Committee with reference to the Association's drainage proposals, and the Committee's request for the Park Company to find .the pipes, the Association paying for the labor. — Air Holding said that the Company was prepared to pay half the whole cost, provided the drain took a direction approved by the directors, and that^he pipes used were the same size as those used. With reference to. the , removal of the building written about by the Committee, the Company did not care to incur expense till they were m a, position to erect a neater and better building. — MiBright said that the Association had only a five^years' lease, and the Park Company would reap the greatest benefit by the work done, the Committee should adhere to the terms of its original offer.— Air Macfarlane pointed out tne dangerous nature of the old jdrain, which required filling, a danger which was m evidence at evety meeting held on the Park.— Air Dewing said there was no necessity for an immediate, answer. — Air Harding said there was a small meeting of the Company's directors, but -the feeling of the meeting was emphatically m favor of the course the deputation had urged. The opinion of those present at last night's meeting was not likely to be altered. The deputation was thanked and informed that the Committee would acquaint the Company by letter of its decision, and withdrew. — Air Hoiden Suggested that the Association do as little}, as possible m Jhe matter.— Air Smith considered the advantages for the Association's ten days' meetings during the term of the lease did not warrant the expenditure.— The oiler of the Association was read— to do the labor of draining and levelling if the Company found the pipes and removed Knight's cottage. The Ground Committee were instructed to prepare sufficient ground for the sheep, pens. In reference to the unpaid subscriptions which haxl been brought forward as assets m the auditors' report, Air Kennedy suggested that the list be gone through, and those that were irrecoverable should be struck off. Mr Bright suggested that a mehibers' roll should be kept, so that in' the event of the Society having to suo for subscriptions they would have something to go on. The secretary was instructed to look up the minute bearing on the subject of preparing a members' roll. It was decided to have the balancesheet printed,, and Messrs. Alacfarlane and Kennedy were appointed to prepare the annual report. Air Bright objected to the course adopted m other years of including the good-mil of Patutahi Domain as an asset,—The Chairman: That's takeh out. The Chairman explained why the annual meeting was being held on Alarch 30th. Nominations of officers had to be ml4 days before the annual meeting, and had r been invited forto-day. The Chairman said that, as the Government Veterinary, Air Gilruth, had gone Home to procure a number of thor-ough-bred stallions ahd stock, bethought that m this important district they had , a right to claim one of these stallions.— Air Bright: iixe they draughts?— Mr j Macfurlan e -. • No, either hackneys or , thorough-breds. He thought a letter

§hould be sent to the secretary of the Department of Agricalture putting m a claim to the use of one of these stallions. — The suggestion was agreed to, the secretary being instructed to write accordingly. Air Gray brought up the matter of effecting a reduction of. the auctioneers' . fees. He appeared to be under the impression that the fees here were higher than those charged elsewhere. — Mr Kennedy pointed out that elsewhere yard fees I were charged.— Afr Gray thought it a matter for the Association to take action m. — Other members thought a move of this kind should be made by the Chamber of Commerce. — Air Bright said that, while the Association were moving m this matter, thby might) fix the rates to be charged by freezing companies. -Then he added seriously .that he did not think the Association should m any way hamper private enterprise. — Air Gray /speaking of the 50 per cent, charge, also mentioned the muddy state of the yards, — Air Macfarlane said he would like to see the yards made a co-operative concern. — - Air Kennedy said that the Chamber of .Commerce could move m the matter and inquire if the fees .charges locally were higher than those charged elsewhere. If they found that they were, it would be time to bring pressure to bear on the auctioneers. — Mr' Smith : And if they were lower, we would have them putting on a bit. (Laughter. );— Air Bright : Tliere is just that danger. — And there the discussion ended. Air Macfarlane proposed the following new members, Air Dobbie seconding : T. Magregor, T. Smith, J. B. Kefls, R. H. Mason, F. J. Shelton, R Martin, Rev. Father Alulvihill, Rev. Father O'Connor, J. Harris, A. W. Rees, A. Keefer, H. Symes, W. J. P. Gaudin, J. Sheridan, and W. H. Cooper.