AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1921, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE ANNUAL REPORT.

The forty-sixth annual report of the General Committee of the Taranaki A. ana P. Society for the year ended August 31, 1921, is as follows:

The year just brought to a close has been a heavy one from a financial standpoint. The receipts from the two shows have been well above the average, and had it not been for various expenditures that were unforeseen, and which were compulsory to protect the assets of the society, then the financial position at the close of the year would have been particularly good.

The Waiwakaiho Biver, for instance, has caused a good deal of anxiety during the year through its serious erosion of the land immediately at the rear of the cattle pavilion and tte horse-boxes. Protective measures had to be adopted without delay, and two groynes erected and other protective work carried out, which accounted for the sum of £226 6s.

The grandstand also being open to the action of the weather was found to be depreciating rapidly in consequence. It was deemed advisable to purchase material, and as soon as possible erect shutters and repair tne floor The cost of this material amounted to £lO7 3s Bd.

The matter of obtaining convenient paddocks to accommodate stock overnight during show time has always been one of difficulty, and were It not for the generosity of owners of paddocks adjacent to the grounds, the society would be greatly handicapped. During the year a lease of a suitable piece of land has been obtained. This, of course, required subdivision by suitable fences, and this was done at a cost of material and labor of £7l 12s Id.

The purchase of crockery and cutlery for use In connection with the catering required an outlay of £157 8s 9d, but against this must be set donations to crockery fund of £l3 9s 6d and the sum of £77 19s Id, which is tte profit derived from a Chrysanthemum Fair organised by the ladies for the purpose of augmenting the fund as much as possible.

It has also been found necessary to provide additional sealing accommodation in the No. 2 dining room. Twenty forms, at a cost of £26, have been added to the catering plant.

Membership.—The receipts from memoers’ subscriptions have shown a decided falling off on last year’s figures. This is to be regretted, as this constitutes the society's main source of revenue. Other similar societies

have unfortunately found this to be their experience also. The actual cause is difficult to locate, but a good deal of it is no doubt due to the members selling out and leaving the district. It must be pointed out, however, that whilst the members’ subscriptions have decreased, the gate takings at the shows have considerably increased. It is toped tnat our members will make it their business to enrol any new residents in their particular district.

Autumn Show.—The gate receipts were £53 over last year's figures.

Ladies’ Committee. —The Ladies' Committee have again to be congratulated upon their wonderful work and the results in connection therewith. The catering controlled by them at both shows realised a profit of £220, and the soft drinks stall, also controlled by them, a profit of £4B.

Besides ti ls the ladies were responsible for substantial amounts from sundry guessing competitions 'kt the Winter Show. Mention has already been made of the purchase of crockery and cutlery to assist the ladies in carrying on the catering under the best conditions the society could provide them. Your committee felt fully justified in making this expenditure, as in reality the ladies have, with the amounts they have added to the funds of the society, more than provided the amount required.

As already mentioned, the ladies, in their eagerness to relieve the society of as much financial responsibility as possible, set to work and organised a Chrysanthemum Fair. Needless to say it was successful, and showed a profit of £77 19s Id. Your committee have felt for some considerable time that the work of the ladies should be recognised in some practical manner. Various ways of doing this were suggested, and eventually it was decided that as they were too busy to see nuch of our shows, they he given an outing to a neighbouring show. An excursion to the Stratford Show was arranged. Two motor’buses were hired and between fifty and sixty of the lady helpers made the trip, and we believe thoroughly enjoyed it.

Donations.—No special canvass has been made during the year for donations toward the funds of the society. As mentioned in the annual report of last year, Mr. John hale and Mr. 11. C. Sampson had each donated a pedigree Jersey bull to the society. During the year the bull donated by Mr. Hale has been sold, the net amount received from the auctioneers being £4B 8s sd. It is t iutention of the committee to offer the bull donated by Mr. Sampson at the forthcoming Jersey bull fair. Mr. Sampson has also sen-; erously promised the price obtained for one of his bulls to be sold at the bull fair. Mr. A T. Moore has generously donated twelve sheep and one calf, the proceeds from sale to be devoted toward a fund for roofing the No. 3 cattle pavilion. General.—The committee appointed at the last annual general meeting lave been called together each month to deal with matters concerning the welfare of the society’ and the arrangements for the two shows. The attendance at meetings was very good up to the alteration in the day of meetings caused by the change of the half-toliday, but since this the attendance has fallen off somewhat, me splendid work carried out by Mr. T. Giddy, who had charge of the show grounds, and the members of the grounds committee, stewards at the stows, committeemen, and the ladies is deserving of special mention. To cur many friends and supporters, exhibitors, judges, donors, secretaries of dairy companies, those persons who provided paddocking accommodation during the autumn show, and th# Press, and any other person or organisation who in any way assisted the society throughout the year, we tender our best thanks.