STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 20, 16 September 1912, Page 5

STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF GEiNERAL COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Stratford A. and P. Association's Ueneral comnuooee was neld on Saturday afternoon, l'ue L'rosideut (Air. VV. i' . Kirivuoou) inesideU over a fair attendance oi members. ~ « i -i On the motion of Mr. E. Jackson, it was decided to put in operation tne recommendation of tne executive uiwi regard to complimentary luncneon t.eKots and donations. ' Mr. VV. liailey (JKiltham) was elected to tlie General Committee, and Messrs U. liayly and James Godkin were elected life members at a lee ol ten inunoas. Mr, R. Dingle moved that not mora than fifty life members at a fee of ten guineas oe admitted to the Association.—Carried. Mr. Richards moved, and Mr. IJudd seconded, that the rules be revised by the Executive Committee for tlie next annual meeting. The Chairman produced the plans for tho new grandstand, and explained that the Executive Committee were ol the opinion that it would be advisable co cad alternate tenders, the one providing for a rising of the studs, to provide accommodation underneath die stand. There were eight rows of seats and the slope was a gradual one, and the roof was designed co give the utmost protection from the rain without obstructing the view of those seated in the top row of seats. Mr. T. Webb moved that one tender be called—namely, for a building raised two feet, to provide for accommodation underneath. The motion, however, lapsed for want of a seconder, Mr. Belcher moving a resolution approving of the plans, and the suggestion of tlie Executive that alternate tenders bo called, details to bo left in the hands of the executive to finally deal with.— Carried.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr'Athol Meredith for his very generous and voluntary offer of 2000 feet of timber. Again That Stand. Jokingly, Mr. Richards remarked that he supposed the Chairman would hoc re-open the discussion of the site for the stand, but Mr. Kirk wood replied that he would bo quite willing co do so if Mr. Richards would cnnsenc to become a life member of tho Association. Mr. Richards, accepted the terms, and the Chairman started off. •'Perhaps," ho said, "when all is said and done, we can re-open this question, for it can be done in such a way that will not make any delay at all. The plans have been approved of, and left in tho hands of the executive. It does not matter where the stand is going to be put; it's not going to lose us any time, if you wish to discuss it, and appoint a day for the whole of the General Committee to go and inspect tlio grounds. But, unless we do this it's no use re-opening this question." Mr. Webb strenuously objected. He had been against the salo of the bull j boxes, but that matter was nover reopened, and he saw no reason why J this should.

Mr. Richards then began: "In the first place I want all .members here, and all members of the A. and P. Association, to clearly understand that I have cast no aspersions on the Executive Committee, nor do I do so now. Tf there are members here who hold the executive in high favour I will say to them that my regard for the executive is no less than is theirs. If then, I ain asked why do I oppose tho executive in this matter, I shall say that it is not because I think less of the executive, but because I have the interests of the Association more at heart. In referring to the site of the grandstand, I am so impressed witli tho beautiful humidity of our Taranaki climate that I think it transcends all other considerations, and although I am prepared to quite admit that there are strong arguments in favour of the present selection, I think arguments in favour of the other will outweigh them."

A voice: Which other? Mr. Richards: One which will not face the northerly rain. I will suggest that if the meeting is unanimous the subject should .be re-opened, and the mattor to be decided, say, next Saturday, and that the committee in the meantime visit the ground, and use their own discretion.

Mr. Webb: i'm against it, Mr Chairman.

Mr. J. I). Healy seconded Mr. Richards' proposal, lie did not think chat any hindrance should be placed in the way of the General Committee. Jf the General Committee discussed the matter, he thought that they would agree that tlio best site was the one he had named. (Laughter.) "I should be sorry," lie concluded, "to act on the executive and not give the General Committee a chance of saying where the stand should be put." Then followed a small discussion, the main bone of contention being the determined stand made by Mr. Webb, who alone objected to the motion being carried, thus destroying the unanimity. Just when a notice of motion was being reluctantly accepted by the Chairman, Mr. Webb relented, and a motion to the effect that the subject be re-opened, and the site decided at a General Committee mooting to bo held next Saturday was passed. The committee will meet at 1 p.m. on the Show Grounds.