PLAINS’ SHOW.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, 22 August 1923, Page 5

PLAINS’ SHOW.

ANNUAL MEETING. NEXT SHOW AT NGATE A. The annual meeting of the Hauraki Plains A. and P. Association was held at Ngatea on Friday last. Owing to the absence of the president,°Mr. P. R. Henry, who was ill, Mr. W. G. Hayward was elected to the chair. About thirty members were present. BALANCE SHEET.

The Balance Sheet showed a debit balance of £24/6/. The _ assets showed an excess over liabilities of £122/6/1. While discussing the balancesheet Mr. D. G| McMillan pointed out the large amount of outstanding subscriptions. Almost half the members were unfinancial. The secretary stated that all these men had received three notices to pay. Members pointed out that an unsatisftcory state of affairs existed, as in all probability these men had used their privileges to the utmost. It was decided, after much disciission, that a committee of five be set up to deal with the matter. The folio-wing were appointed: Messrs. C. H. Waite, Ngatea; J. /H. Nicholson, Kerepeehi; J. G. Miller, Kopuarahi'; P. R. Henry, Turua and J. Munro, Netherton. The annual report and balance sheet was adopted on the motion of Mr. J. H. Nicholson, seconded by Mr. J. Munro.

GROUND COMMITTEE’S REPORT Mr. P. R. Henry, on behalf of the grounds committee, wrote enclosing a plan, prepared by the Lands Office and notes setting out improvement proposals for members’ consideration. The proposals were: Draining 70i chains of open drain, £52 10s; 35 chains of tile drains, £35; fencing 108 chains £l4O, and repairs to existing fences £l6 10s; ploughing tilling and grass seed for 10 acres, £4O; gateways, two main entrances and one stock entrance, £l2, ring ol sawn posts, wire,' and laboul, £ls, hurdles £lB 10s; total, £329 10s. After providing for the foregoing expenditure there would still remain the gum of £270 10s for further improvements, an.d the following pro'popsajs were put forward for consideration: (1) To set aside an improvement reserve fund for future necessaries of £100; (2) to erect 150 cattle stalls at a cost of £lO each and holding yards and judging rings, at a cost of £100; (3) to spend on clearing rushes £SO; (4) erect public conveniences, £2O 10s After carefully considering all the items set forth the opinion was expressed that the work could be carried out within the prescribed cost, and that it would only be by carrying out these permanent improvements and removing the show *o the association’s own ground at Kerepeehi that any degree of permanency would be attained. It was decided that the consideration of the improvements and the question of a show site be voted upon separately. In regard to the Kerepeehi ground Mr. W.°G. Hayward said that in its present state it was. a burden on the association. It would bring in more revenue if improved. Mr. McDuff said that the £6OO the association had in hand should not be spent on improvements, but returned ‘to the mortgagor. _ The ground should be leased, with a clause stipulating that certain improvements be done. On Mr. Carter’s motion, seconded by Mr. J. H. Nicholson, it y was agreed to discuss ground improvements first. , Mr. Nicholson moved that the report of the Grounds Committee be adopted. Mr. J. H. Carter seconded. Mr A Carter said that the show would eventually go to Kerepeehi and that, the improvements should be gone on with and the ground put in first-class order so that it would be revenue producing. The secretary pointed out that about £3OO was suggested for permanent improvements and only about £2O for show purposes. Mr J Bratlie contended that the show’ should be held at Ngatea, as it had better facilities. Mr D G. McMillan said that members should sink their differences and decide once and for a where the show was to go. Land tor the show-ground had been presented at Kerepeehi and the old committee had, on the strength of this, borrowed £I3OO for improvements etc It was a vote of no confidence hi the old committee to turn down the improvement scheme. The chairman said that the position was that the association had to meet about £125 per annum for interest, rates, etc. The ground at present was covered with l’ushes, ar( l mfiass •-prov'-d it aunld be (Continued on next column).

made revenue-producing.

Mr. Schultz moved, and Mr. MeDuff seconded, that the £6OO be handed back and the ground leased for five years with provision for improvements. Mr. McMillan said that if this proposition was carried it would be the death of the association.

The amendment was lost by 13 to 7.

An amendment, providing that permanent improvements only be done until the site question was decided, was then put to the meeting and carried. ■SHOW SITE.

Mr. J. Bratlie moved that the next show be held at Ngatea. Mr. Claire seconded this. Mr. C. H. Waite contended that Mgatea was more accessible than Kerepeehi. Mr. J. C. Miller supported the motionj stating that the work just agreed to would not put the ground in order by show time. For this year the show should be held at Ngatea, and afterwards at Kerepeehi. Mr. A. Vowles said that there was already accommodation for stock at Ngatea, whereas it would cost about £IOOO for equal facilities at Kerepeehi. Mr. D. G. McMillan spoke in favour of Kerepeehi, contending that the ground could be made suitable in time for the show.

Mr. W. C. Hayward said that two years nreviously the two Ngatea saleyards were filled and last year pens had to be erected. Mr. W. E. Hale said he was not prepared to support the motion unless the mover was prepared to add a clause recommending that the committee push on with the Kerepeehi ground so that future shows could be held there.

On the motion being put to the meeting it was carried by 16 votes to 9.