AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 27, 26 July 1911, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. , i a There was an attendance of forty i members at the annual meeting of the '. Taranaki Agricultural Society, which 1 was held in the Town Hall last night. Mr. Ainbury presided. i The president in presenting the thirty- * sixth annual report, said that at tke 1 elose of this his third year of office it was again his privilege to congratulate i the Society on the fact that useful workhad been done, and on the greater public interest in the Society manifested during the year. It would be remem- < bered that at the time the last balancesheet was presented (in April 1910) the appointment of officers was postponed to enable the committee then in office to carry through the first Taranaki .Winter Show. This was held under most adverse climatic conditions, but was looked upon by the general public as a fairly successful effort, and showed a credit balance. This effort entailed long and continuous work upon many members of the committee, quite a number of whom devoted their whole time for eight or nine days to its preparation, supervision and the demolition of the show buildings. The work was done gratuitously, cheerfully and without a murmur, for which the Society and the community were greatly indebted to those gentlemen. The spring show took place on November 30 and December 1 under very favorable conditions. The ontries in most sections were good, though not quite as numerous as the previous year, partly owing to the fact that a kindred society in the province held its inaugural show within a week of the Taranaki Agricultural Society's' fixture, and breeders in the district considered it only fair to give that society a start. In many sections competition was extremely keen. The magnificent display of fat cattle was one of the strong features of the show, and w«uld have done credit to the best show in the empire. The sections for all classes of dairy cattle were well filled, competition in the Dutch Friesian, Ayrshire and Jersey sections being exceptionally keen, and included a large number of the choicest animals of the various breeds ever mustered in the Dominion.

In the horse section there was good competition, and in some of the light horse classes experienced judges stated that they had never had better stock before them, Entries in. the sheep and pig sections were not large, but many animals of special merit were exhibited. Dogs were shown in increased numbers, and with the improved accommodation 'should become a strong section. Judges who came from various parts of the North Island commented very freely upon the marked improvement in I quality and quantity of stock on exhibition as compared with a few years ago. The milking and butter-fat contest introduced the previous year was again included in the schedule, and all arrangements made for a big competition, but as only a few competitors came forward the competition was withdrawn, as in the case of other societies (including Palmerston, where it was also dropped from lack of interest). He thought some competition should be included in the next schedule, and an effort made to bring the various dairy breeds into the test as a means of demonstrating the most profitable breed or cross for the dairy farmer to adopt. The grand parade of stock which graced the ring on the People's Day will long be remembered as a magnificent demonstration of the quantity of high-class stock in the district, and called forth the heartiest enthusiasm of the largest assemblage of the general public ret seen on the ground. Many new competitors came to light, and it was most gratifying to find breeders from other provinces continuing to •ompete in the various sections. The Society was fortunate in securing, at a nominal expense, some ,of the ablest judges in the Dominion, and they gave . general satisfaction to competitors and j the public. The best thanks of the Society have been tendered to them. The Society's property (St. Germain Square) had been surveyed and subdivided, and leasing conditions prepared and adopted by the committee, and would in the future no doubt return a very much larger revenue than hitherto. In referring to the balance-sheet, mem- 1 bers would note that the untiring efforts of the committee for some years past had been rewarded in seeino the bank overdraft wiped out, and converted into a credit balance of £2O 17s lid. It v,-juld be noted that members' subscriptions had not been paid up as .well as could be wished during the year, partly due to the Society not getting into direct contact with settlers, as was the case in 1909, when eight lectures were delivered in the various centres, and as a result of the interest aroused a large number of members was added to the list. It was gratifying to note that although considerably extended privileges had been granted on members' tickets the gate money had shown a steady increase.

The Society wished again to convey their very hearty thanks to the Taranaki Jockey Club for continued generosity in granting the free use of their grounds and buildings for the spring show, also to their numerous supporters in town and country who had donated special prizes for 'competition or in any way contributed to the funds, and to the many exhibitors who competed so constantly. Also to the press for their generous and constant support in presenting to tho public the objects and claims of the Society, and to the public for their liberal patronage at both shows. He personally thanked the members of committee and various sub-com-mittees, the secretary and all who had helped in any way, for their patient and untiring efforts during the vear, also to the press and public for their loyal and generous support of both summer and winter shows. The outlook of the Dominion, he considered, was never brighter, and the prospects for the progress and development of this district were never so encouraging as to-day. Opportunities for the Society to extend its influence and usefulness were apparent, and with an enthusiastic working committee the coming years should be of great progress and advancement, andl should show a much improved financial position.

ANNUAL REPORT AN']). BALANCESHEET. The secretary read Uie balance-sheet for the year ending January 31, Hill, which has been already circulated among members. This showed that a debit balance of .£29 as 3d had been transformed into a credit balance of X,ili 17s I'ld. The winter show had cleared £!)7 10s lid.

The chairman formally moved the, adoption of the report and balancesheet. This was seconded by Mr. Stanin reply to a question the chairman said there were 1)5 members' subscriptions outstanding. Mr. Stanley Smith pointed out that the balance-sheet showed that the Society was gradually drifting back in the matter of members' subscriptions, donations and entries. He considered that no member should be given his pass until his subscription was paid. He considered that it would be necessary for the new committee to put its shoulder to the wheel and assist the secretary and he hoped no one would accept nomination unless prepared to work.

After some slight discussion the report and balance-sheet was adopted. VOTES OF THANKS. On the motion of the president, votes of thanks were accorded to the Taranaki Jockey Club for the use of the ground, to the donors of special prize fund, to the judges, and to the press. This was seconded by Mr. Stanley and carried. A vote of thanks was also accorded to the officers and committee for services rendered. DATE OF MEETING. Mr. Wood moved that the financial year end on March 31 instead of January 31 as at present, and that the annual meeting be held in July. This was seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried without discussion. WINTER SHOW BUILDINGS.

The secretary submitted an approximate balance-sheet of the recent winter show, which showed a credit balance of £lOl 12s 4d. The president pointed out that the Society was working under great difficulty in regard to suitable buildings for the show. He then instanced what had been done in the matter of providing show buildings for future use, A sub-committee had been set up and had thoroughly gone into the position, and submitted a resolution, which had been approved by the general committee for recommendation to the annual meeting. He moved that resolution as follows: ''That the Society undertake the erection of a permanent building for winter show purposes in concrete, wood and iron, 84ft. by ,':jßoft., on the western half of St. Germain Square, at a cost of £3OOO, provided that satisfactory arrangements can..be made for leasing or letting the buildings, and satisfactory arrangements for financing same." This was seconded by Mr. Okey. Considerable time was spent in discussing the various details of the scheme, and 'ultimately the resolution was carried unanimously. It was decided to call a special general meeting of members to consider the building scheme as soon as the committee receives certain necessary information.

OFFICERS. ~ Officers were elected as follows: Patrons, Hons. O. Samuel and J. Kelly, M's.L.C., Mr H. J. H. Okey, M.P., and Messrs. Newton King, G. Tisch, T. S. Weston, W. Birdling, A. Alexander, H. King, R. Cock, Hy. Weston, J. B. Roy, C. W. Govett, E. F. Blundell, A. McHardy, A. H. Glasgow, N. K. McDiarmid, and G. H. Hirst, and Drs. Walker, Wylie, Leatham, Fookes, Home, McCleland, Blackley and Milroy; president, Mr. W. Amfcury (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs. J. S. Coanett, J. R. Hill, F. Watson, A. W. Woods, W. Stanley, H. H. Street and L. Jackson; committee, Messrs. G. W. Browne, Geo. Colson, W. Stanley, jun., T. H. Sinellie, J. H. Street, A. 11. Street, J. F. Eustace, L. A. Nolan, J. F. Giddy, J. Tiseh, G. Elliott, Chivers, Featherston, Bagley and Kirkwood; auditor, Mr. C. T. Mills (re-elected).