THE WINTER SHOW

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 84, 18 March 1931, Page 2

THE WINTER SHOW

SATISFACTORY YEAR ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION Before proceeding with business at the annual meeting of the Stratford Poultry and Winter' Show Association at Smith’s rooms last night, the president (Mr. A. J. Davey) referred to the sudden death of Mr. Joseph Weston, sen., father oT'two active members of the committee, Messrs. F, Weston and J. Weston, and as a mark of respect members stood in silence. Those present at. the meeting wore; Messrs. A. J. Davey (president), W. Cannon, W. Hardy-Jones, J. M. Steiner, Reg. Wellington, Cliff Murray, H. J. Hopkins, J. H. Ward, W. Davis, E. Vince, H. Campbell, T. /Kirkwood and F. T. Hale (lion, secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs. G. T. Gibbons, C. Gibbons, M. Gernhoefer, H. J. Kirkwood, Weston Bros., W. Olsen and J. H. Dunnes ter. Privileges of Membership In reply to Mr. Kirkwood, the secretary stated that the privileges of membership included one member’s ticket, one woman’s ticket, membership of the Egg Circle, and a redaction of fid in entry fee in poultiy. Mr. Kirkwood; That seems very (reasonable and there should he more than 100 members.

The secretary stated that the Stratford entry fee was the lowest in New Zealand and the prize money was equal to any of the other shows. Mr. Campbell considered ITiTit after 25 entries from one exhibitor a further reduction should be made. Mr. Ilardy-Jones asked if it would not be better to have the privileges of membership more fully explained in the schedule. The secretary replied that there were live pages of rules in the book, and the privileges were explained therein. Regarding the expenses voted to Mr. Brown poultry expert, at last annual meeting the president explained that it was considered that the Government would assist financially, but the Government would not do so. The Dominion Association found £3OO toward the expenses, but the Government turned down the 'proposal absolutely, stating that Mr. Brown could not be spared from bis position. The money Avas then refunded. The president informed the meeting that though the fees were reduced the amount Avas £133 12s 6d, Avhile the prize money was £174 8s fid, showing a fairly big margin. He did not think the association could reduce the entry fees any more. The Stratford Winter Slioav avus the cheapest in the country as far as the membership Avas concerned, he concluded. Asked regarding the cost of tea rooms, the president explained that only workers Avere supplied with tea, but they had to have a tocket. The Member: The profit against the expense appeared to be very poor. The president explained that two years previously the tea rooms had been let to a caterer, av;lio paid £G for the privilege, but it used to cost the association about £l2. There were the judges, stewards and the Avorkers to be provided for, and the number of free tickets issued was 177 for four days. There may have been more free teas last year on account of running the rooms themselves, but it would be unreasonable to expect the workers to pay for their teas. Report and Balance-Sheet The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (already published) said it gave him great pleasure to state that the association had made a better success of the slioav than in the past. More efficiency had been obtained, and this year they hoped to be able to do even better. The balance-sheet showed that they had cleared away an overdraft at the bank of £ 10(1, and there was a credit at the bank of £53 6s sd. if only they could hold their end up. there Avonld be nothing to worry about. The show Avas really the best they had held. The industrial section was brighter, more compactly displayed, and bettor in every Avay for the spectators. The poultry section was the best in the history of the association, and in bis opinion the best in New Zealand. (Applause.) The pigeon section Avas doAvn in numbers owing to a good exhibitor Avho had “two legs in" for (he cup not, being opposed, but be was assured that, (hose exhibitors Avho stood out would he forward next year as usual. The root section Avas a credit to the chairman of the section, Mr. M. Gernhoefer, and his staff. It was a matter of Avonder to see the number of entries obtained in a few days just before the show. Indeed, it was a problem for the staff to place, the entries at the finish. It showed the value of canvassing. The previous year the number of entries Avas 391, but last show it Avas 632, being an increase of 241, Avhich Avas due to the canvass alone. The display of ensilage was wonderful, there being 80 exhibits. He would like to see the executive giving a little move encouragement to these exhibitors. The home industries section Avas a good one, there being an increase in entries, and thanks avovp due to Mrs. Gernhoefer and TTr. Pettigrew. The school exhibits Avere down to 267, which was not creditable, and Avas due to lack of support by the teachers, Avho did not lake numb interest in it. The executive, continued the president, bad in mind the building of accommodation for the show. The present building was too small, and (here was a proposal to try and do something to improve (he position. The association had the ground on Avhich to build, but owing to the financial depression in the country and the fact that they would have to find a fair amount of money, it. Avas considered advisable to leave it, alone. Ho hoped things Avould brighten up shortly, when they would have some scheme to launch out with and have a building of their own. The executive would then be able to make improvements in the running of the slioav, and the position Avouldli be much more satisfactory. c

In conclusion, the president thanked the whole of the members who had assisted him; if it had not been for their loyal support the association would not be in such a good position to-day. He had much pleasure in moving the motion. Mr. Kirkwood seconded, stating that they were particularly fortunate in having such a good executive, who had been able to produce a wonderful show. There was no doubt whatever in his mind that it had been well conducted. He believed that with a continuance of such capable management they would have even a better show this year. (Applause.) The motion was carried unanimously. Election of Officebearers Patron: Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P. President; Mr. A. J. Davey (reelected). Vice-Presidents; Messrs. A. W. Reid, S. A. Mann and G. T. Gibbons (re-elected). Executive: Messrs. R. Wellington, M. Gernhoefer, H. J. Kirkwood, Sid Reader, W. Cannon, J. H. Ward, H. Campbell, J. M. Steiner, C. Murray, M. Knox and A. T. Sulzburger. Sub-committee: Messrs. A. Betts, T. Pettigrew, C. L. Grant, H. A. King, J. Jones, J. Schotter, E. Bayley, E. Vince, Gibbons Bros., A. W. King, F. Weston, H. Bishop, R. H. Benelieid, A.- B. Moss, H. J. Hopkins, W. Hardy-Jones L. C. Milne, R. Sextus, A. G. Craig, J. Weston, T. T. Murray, Vincent Bros., J. Stewart, W. North and W. J. Davis. Secretary: Mr. F, T. Hale (reelected). Treasurer: Mr. T. Kirkwood. Bankers: Bank of New Zealand. Hon. solicitor: Mr, R. V. Kay. An honorarium of 25 guineas was voted to the secretary, Mr. Hale, members speaking in eulogistic terras of his capable work in the past. New member elected: Mr, G. A. Carter. The Suggestion Book Mr. Hardy-Jones mentioned the need to increase the membership and suggested a committee being appointed to canvass the townspeople and the district. He did not think the businessmen as a whole took sufficient interest in the show. It should not be difficult to gather in more members. Mr. Kirkwood was of the opinion that it was the fault of the members themselves in failing to canvass for new members. One Member: We ought to rave 1,000 members. Thanks In returning thanks for his re-elec-tion, Mr. Davey said it was very nice to be voted back to the chair and to know that the members appreciated his services. He had done his best in the position and would do more again this year if it were possible. The duties of president demanded that the occupant of the position should have some spare time to devote to the interests of the association, and there were plenty of men in the town and district who could do the job well. However, be would be pleased 1o do everything possible to make the coming show as successful as the last one, and he thanked them again for their appreciation. In proposing that Mr. Hale be reelected secretary, Mr. Kirkwood said ho felt sure all the members believed they could not. get a better man for the position fn the Dominion, and they were jolly lucky. The secretary was instructed to write to the Taranaki Power Board thanking them for their splendid exhiibit at the show and for providing hot water. A vote of thanks to the Press for publicity given to the show was carried and the meeting adjourned for supper in the tearooms.