NELSON AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11312, 20 April 1905, Page 3

NELSON AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of "the above named Association was held yesterday afternoon, at the Richmond.lnstitute, when about forty members were present. The President, Mr George E. Chisnall, was in the chair.

The minutes were confirmed.

Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs George' Macniahon, P. C. Batchelor,PhillipJßest, and Godfrey Best.

Mr Gaukrodger proposed, and Mr James Hunt seconded, Dr. Hamilton, of Wakeh'cld, as a member, and he was elected.

A letter from the Auckland Association re the biennial conference was read. The Association was asked to give an opinion whether the conference should be held at Wellington this year during the Parliamentary session.

It wa« resolved on the motion of Mr J. M. Croucher, that the Association was in favor of the conference being held. The President said he would ask the meeting to take tte report and balance sheet, which had been printed and circulated, as read, which was agreed to.

The report stated : —

"The roll of members continues' to show a satisfactory increase, largely due to the efforts of the Secretary. Thirty-seven new members have been added during the year, four have been lost by death, and sis have retired. The net gain therefore naa been 27, and the total stands now at 303. While upon this subject your Uommittee have tq mention the losses sustained by the Asao3iation in the deaths of the lafce Mr JRodk. Mcßae, and Mr Robt. W. H. Rankin.

;, "The cetl; general revenue for the year closed was £801 5s 7d, an increase on the previous year of £35 lls 7d, but the expenditure also in creased by £22 17s Id. It must be borne in mind, however, that the prize money furnished by the Association was £30 in excess of that paid the previous year. Th 9 nett profit on the general transactions was £135 4s lid, compared with £122 0s 5d for 1903-4, and the credit balance on current account at the bank rose from £167 14s 5d to £187 4s 9d. This as since been augmented by the receipt of £50 s , rent due at the end of February from the (Jhristchurch Meat Company, and £50 from the Nelson Jockey Club for its 1905 race meeting. There is thus a free sum of close upon £300. The total worth of assets, after deducting liabilities, and inclding rents and subscriptions then due, was on the 2Sth February, £1979 3s 3d, as compared with £1110 10s 2d at the corresponding date last year. Of this increase £80 was due to the Government subsidy in connection with Kiehmond fark.

"The scheme in connection with Richmond Park which was referred to in last year's report as being advanced towards successful completion, was duly carried into effect. The mortgage of £2,350 on the Park was paid off, the requisite amount bping provided by Government sub»idy of £300, the issue of thirty dtbentures at £50 each, and the Association paying off the odd £50 out of general funds. This leaves but £1500 of debt upon the ground, and th.c interest charge for the coming

year will be £75 only, compared with £102 last year, and £117 the year previous to that. Members will realise the* savings that will be effected here, and must also bear in mind that the items, legal expenses, and commission on debentures, totalling £72, will not recur, therefore, with average good fortune, the indebtedness on the Park should be reducad year by year. It will be for members to decide at the meeting whether it is not desirable that one; or more debentures should be ballotted out, seeing the amount of cash in hand. The five years lease with the Nelson Jockey Club has expired, and will require to be renewed. "The annual Show held on Tuesday and Wednesday, 29th and 30th November, 1904, proved in every sense a success. The weather was perfect, and the attendance constituted a record. Mr John Graham, M.H.R. for the City of Nelson, to whom the Association is indebted

for his efforts in connection with the grant for Richmond Park, formally opened the Show. Hon Colonel Pitt also waa present. 6§#s 11 Your Committee desire to thank the following for special prizes and donations: — Anchor Steam Ship Co., Ltd, Bond, Fiunoy and Co., Brown and Kerr, Buxton and Co, Ltd. Bisley Bros, and (Jo., John Beataon, James Boon, Ueo. E. Chisnall, J. J M. Calder, Rev. Father Clancey, J. H. Cock and Co., Christchurch Meat Co.' Hayes Croucher, J.M . Croucher, Duthie and Co., J. R. Dodson and Son, Dee and Sons, P- J. Dickson, Fairey Bros., Gibbons and Co., J. Gaukrodger, Gay and Webster, Albert Gibbs, Thomas Heath, James Hooper, G. and A. Hunt, Haymen and Co., Thomas Hunt, Sarley and Sons, C. J. Harley, W. R. Hunt, James Hunt, Healy and Son, Harris and Bickling, W. D. Irvine, F. N. Jones, H. C. Jacka, R. Lucas and Son, Levin and Co., Lightband and Co., F.T.Lipscombe, Dr. Moore, W. R. May, Myers and Co., Estate of J. A. McArtney, N.Z. Insurance Co. {per C. E. Wilson), Newman Bro., N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Co., Ltd., James Newport, N.Z. Farmer, Pitt and Moore, R. Snodgrass and Sons, Savage and Sons, Sargood, Son, and Ewen, Robert Staples, John Tinline, Hon. F. Trask, W. Tyree, Tasker and Levien, Geo. Talbot, Geo. Thomas and Co., Singer Manufacturing Co., J. C. Williams, Jos. Wadsworth, Wilkins and Field Hardware Co., Robert Watson. Estate of Wm. Wilkie, J. S. Wratt, Geo. Winder, and Mr John Hale for his kindness in supplying plants for decorating the produce shed. The gentlemen who rendered assistance as class Stewards and Clerks are also entitled to the best thanks of the Association.

"Your Committee have the pleasure in placing on record their sense of the able manner in which the retiring President, Mr G. E. Chisnall, has carried out his duties. His energy and care show that he has the welfare of the Asociation at heart.

"Once more the Auditors, Messrs Petrie and Blair, have recorded their appreciation of the work of the Secretary, Mr Glen, whose accounts, they say, are admirably kept, "and leave noshing to be desired." This is exceedingly gratifying." The President in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said the past year bad been a successful one. They had been favored with excellent weather for the Show, and the financial results had proved satisfactory. There was now £280 in the Bank to the credit of the Association. The profit for the year, £135 4s lid, would have been larger if there had not been a heavy expenditure, some of which might be considered extraordinary, such as the legal expenses in conrnection with the Eichmond Park. ! The Show was one of the best ever held, and the new departure of appointing Senior Stewards had proved so successful that it^should be continued. The Senior Stewards had assisted greatly in arranging the parade of the prize stock, which was a good one. The decision of the machinery combine not to exhibit at the Show occasioned some anxiety to the Commmittee, but notwithstanding the combine's action there were exhibits of machinery and implements owing to local efforts and enterprise. The combine had now included Marlborough among the shows to send exhibits to, and it was hoped Nelson would soon be also added. Although the entries were fewer in number at their last Show, the number of individual competitors had increased. He said the assistance given him by Mr John Glen, the Secretary, had made his term of office a pleasant and easy one. The energetic effors of the Secretary was shown as regards the increase of the membership, for out of thirty-seven new members Mr Glen bad proposed no less than thirty-four. He thanked the Committee for their helpful assistance, and he hoped the same would be extended to his successor.

The motion was seconded by Mr Gaukrodger, and carried unanimously. The President said the next business was the election of officers. The ballot for the office of President had resulted in favor of Mr William Coleman, who he declared elected. (Applause.) The President stated the nominations for Vice-Presidents had resulted in the required number being nominated, namely, Messrs George W. Best, James Ching, and John Hagen, whom he declared elected.

The President said!the nominations for members of the General Committee brought out thirty-seven candidates, and the ballot had resulted in favor of the following gentlemen in the order named, Messrs John Best, John Oaukrodger, Joseph E. Bartlett, G. JN. Hunt, T. B. Chisnall, Charles Ohallies, Thomas A. Cook, James Hunt, 3.

S. Wratt, li. Croucher, George Macmahon, Noble Win, W. T. Bond, Godfrey Best, Albert Gibbs, Alfred Sheat, J. Wadaworfch, F. O. Batchelor, Thomas Heath, R. T. Sadd, P. Bensemaan, H.Lankow, Dr. Andrew, and P. Higgins. He declared them elected.

Mr J. S. Wratt said he had the greatest pleasure in proposing Mr John Glen as Secretary, who was as capable as ever, and the backbone of the Association. He did not need to say more, as Mr Glen's good work was well known.

Seconded by Mr John Best, and carried unanimously.

Mr James Hunt proposed, and Mr T. A. Cook seconded the re-election of Mr George Talbot as Hon. Treasurer. Carried unanimously.

Mr P. Higgins proposed the reelection of Messrs Petrie and Blair as Andiors. Carried unanimously.

On the motion of Mr Wratt, seconded by Mr H. Croucher, Messrs J. M. Croucher, T. A. Cook, W. R. May, A. Sheat, and G. E. Chianall as members of the Finance Committee (Mi W. D. Harkness declining to be re-elected).

The President then vacated the chair, and called upon the new President to preside.

Mr W. Coleman, who was received with applause, thanked those who had supported him for the office. Twelve men of ability had filled the position of President of that Association, and the last was not the least. Although he might not come up to his predecessors, he would endeavor to come as near them as he could, lie asked all to extend to him the