AGRICULTURE SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 15

AGRICULTURE SOCIETY

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT ON YEAR'S ACTIVITIES. PROFITS ON WORKING OF SHOWS. A meeting of the committee of the Taranaki Agricultural Society was held in New Plymouth yesterday. Present:. Messrs. H. C. Sampson (chairman), J. H. Allen, G. V. Tate, A. T. Moore, E. S, Allen, T, W. Telford, T. Wilson, H. Trimble, R. Scott, F. Dodunski, W. McKenzie, W. B. Grant, A. P. Lister, John Brown, A. Turnbull and F. W. Cornwall. It was unique in the annals of the society for a member to have to return thanks for good wishes on his golden wedding, said Mr. G. V. Tate. It .was very kind and thoughtful of the society to remember a veteran member. Although ho could not now take' a very active part in the society he would always take an interest in its welfare. The increase . in membership showed what a help the society was in the education of the farmers. All the same there were scores of farmers throughout Taranaki who still might well afford to pay the small subscription and join the society. The secretary was instructed to write to the Egmont A. and P. Association regarding its action in deleting the joint points trophies for the pig sections from their schedule without notifying either the Taranaki Society or the Stratford A. and P. Society. Sub-committees were set up to revise the schedule for the next stock show as follows: — Cattle, sheep and pigs.—Messrs. Sampson, Allen, Gudopp, Hall, Turnbull, Peterson, Olsen, Morris, Grant, Wilson, Lister, Ruebp and Sutton. Draught Iforsok—Messrs. T. SmelUe, Grant, Lister and W. H. Jury. Light horses.—Messrs. L. A Nolan, R. H. Pigott, W. McKenzie and W. H. Jury. It was decided that the sub-commit-tees should meet at 1.30 p.in. on October 18. ' TRADE EXHIBITS SOUGHT. It was recommended to the incoming committee that, with a view to having - more working e?:hibits at the next winter show, a sub-committee be set up to interview New Plymouth tradespeople at least two months before the show. It was decided to request the different pedigree cattle breeders in the district to submit the names of suitable judges for their respective sections and to make any suggestions they considered desirable for the improvement of their particular sections. Mr. V. C. Davies was elected a member of the society. It was decided to send letters of sympathy to Mr. H. O. Skelton and Mr. J. Hale wishing them a speedy recovery from their illnesses. This was the last meeting of the old committee, said the president. He thanked members for the way they had worked together for the benefit of the society. He was very grateful for the support they had given him during the last 12 months. If in the future they pulled together as they had in the past the society would still prosper. The annual report to be presented at the annual general meeting on October 25 is as follows: — The committee deeply deplores having to record the deaths during the year of the following members: Messrs. A. B. Goldwater, Robt.' Tate, J. Hamilton, S. Rundle, J. Poletti, E. Aylward, J. Sarten, Z. T. Walker, H. T. Ballinger and S. J. Candish, The membership roll at the end of the year numbered 788, comprising 26 life members and 762 ordinary members. A drive for new members was made just -prior to the last stock show, and whilst 30 new members were enrolled the heavy loss the society has sustained, through deaths and resignations from unavoidable reasons nullified any ultimate gain. It is to be regretted tbet the receipts from members’ subscriptions show a decrease of £2O on the amount received last year. BOTH SHOWS SUCCESSFUL. Both the autumn and winter shows produced profits on actual working—that is, without the addition of any proj .tion of members’ subscriptions to either show. The profit on the autumn show was £74 10s 7d, and on the winter show £424 14s 4d. After writing off depreciation amounting to £212 4s Bd, there remains the sum of £l‘o6 10s 4d to be added to the capital account. The capital, or excess of assets over liabilities, now stands at £4201 5s lid. It will be seen that the inorcgage to the New Plymouth Sav’.jgs Bank on ihe winter show property has been reduced a further £lOO during the year. The sum of £3B 3s 8d has been expended in altering the lighting system at the winter’ show buildings to conform ■with the latest regulations. Improvements to buildings at the showgrounds involved an expenditure of £22 2s lOd, while enclosing the St. Germain’s Square property with an iron fence-cost the society £7B 10s Bd. The society’s contribution towards the of the Otago farmers was £l2, and to the farmers’ field competitions £3 3s. The water pipe connecting the showgrounds with the borough water supply was carried away during a flood in the'Waiwakaiho River, and £8 9s 2d was ■ spent in reinstating it. Accounts in connection with work on the experimental area show a debit balance of £l4 Us 9d, but during the year a shed for the storage and mixing of fertilisers and the housing, of a fertiliser distributor was erected at a cost of £26 and charged direct to this account. A new fertiliser distributor was purchaser! for work on the experimental area and the showgrounds, and the cost, £34 2s 6d, has been capitalised. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. Accounts in connection with the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs show a debit balance of £29 2s Ifld. It is satisfactory to note that the Government has decided to subsidise. £ for £ up to £4O moneys raised for the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs movement. It is expected that, with the same careful attention to expenditure as has been given is the past, and an increase in the number of donors, together with the relief this subsidy will afford, to make ends meet with this account in the future. At the close of the year the society’s account kejs with the bank was £2os 19s Id in credit. Cheques amounting to £43 6s 9d had not been presented, so that the actual credit balance at closing of books,was £162 12s 4d. In addition to thia there was a credit balance of

£46 19s 2d. in. the society’s accounts_kept with the Savings Bank, and £29 17s 6d cash in hand, which has since been banked. Accounts due by the society to sundry creditors amounted to £&! _l2s Bd, while accounts due to the society by sundry debtors amounted to £44 2s 3d. Taking everything into consideration, the financial result of the year’s working must be considered highly satisfactory, the only regretable feature being the falling off in the receipts from members’ subscriptions. All buildings are in a good state of repair, and the;grounds and surroundings are in firstrclass order. Several works that are considered necessary to protect existing building's and improve conditions at show times have been recently referred to the property committee for consideration. These embrace painting the roof of the winter show buildings and roofing the existing cattle pens on the northern side of the cattle pavilions at the showgrounds. Ways and means of making additions to the winter show buildings are . at' the present, time receiving the earnest, consideration, of the finance committee. .. The stock show,, held on March 6 and 7, and the winter shqw, held on June 11, 12, 13 and 14, both proved successful from financial and other standpoints. The support given by exhibitors and the general public was a source of satisfaction to those who worked hard organising the shows and piloting them to a successful conclusion. ADDITIONAL ROOM NEEDED. With regard to the winter show, we have again arrived at the point where one additional building, at least, is urgently needed, not so much for the pxirpose of housing, more displays as for affording a greater,. degree of comfort for those who y'isit,.tlre sipw. As mentioned earlier in this-.report, this question is receiving )th< uiature consideration of the finance committee, and it is hoped that whatever recommendation they have to make iu the- matter will be liberally supported, by.,members and wellwishers of the ..society,. Once again it i^ H pur. pleasurable duty to make reference to. the--splendid work carried out by the committee of ladies. They have again-organised and conducted the catering ; a.nd soft, drinks stalls at both shows, and, as always has been the case, the revenue has been substantially increased through theij help. They have supplied from their ranks judges and stew’ards for the winter show, and have assisted in many other directions. We are indeed fortunate in having such a splendid ladies’ committee, and we take this opportunity of thanking them for their valued assistance throughout the year. ■ • :<• This report would:be- incomplete without ah expression of rfl-ppreciation of the special services rendered by Mr. T. Wilson. Those who are closely in touch with the work of. the society realise the great amount of time and attention ho gives in attending to the society’s sheep. It will be noted on reference to the general profit and loss account that transactions in live, stock show a respectable profit for the year. The committee of the Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club reports another successful year. The, chief event was the poultry show held in conjunction with the winter show in,. June, Entries were up to standard and competition was keen. The committee regrets that death removed during the year, a committeeman of very long standing, Mr. J. Hamilton. He was always a pypmnient figure at shows held under the auspices of the club and his services will be greatly missed. The interest of club ; members has been maintained by means, of seasonable lectures and addresses.