WAITAHUNA FARMERS' CLUB.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 6389, 30 August 1916, Page 3

WAITAHUNA FARMERS' CLUB.

The annual meeting of the above club was held in Carmody's hall on Monday night when there was an excellent attendance of members. Mr A. AMcCorkiidalo (President) in the chair. Report and Balance-sheet.

The socrctary, Mr K. Murray, submitted the following report on tho work of thc club during tho past year;— The Executive in submitting the 35th annual report and balanco-Bhoct again congratulate the Club on its prosperity. The year comrucuccd in a very gloomy period of the present war, whon the enemy forces were almost ovorywhoro in the ascendent, but thanks to the courage and bull-dog tenacity of Britain and her Allies, the outlook considerably improved as the year woro on ; although perhaps yet some distance from final victory, still there arc not wanting signs when our forces will make good and normal conditions again prevail. Tho membership is fairly satisfactory and now stands at 56, including life members.

The total receipts for the year amount to £238 12s lOdand the expenditure to £225 2s Id, leaving a credit balanco of £l3 Ills 9d, exclusive of the £SO on deposit in the Bank of New Zealand. The balance iB considerably below the figures at tlie beginning of tho year, i.e., £2B 17s sd, and the decrease iB due to various causes : Ist, a decrease of £l2 in gate and entry monies and an extra expenditure of some ten pounds in fencing, together with a surplus quantity of sheep dip bought and on hand, previous to the rise in that article at the end of the season. Outstanding there are also subscriptions, donations and dipping foes to I lie extent of £ls. Considering the foregoing figures the position is entirely satisfactory. The Agricultural Show held in December lust was conducted under unfavourable weather conditions, but notwithstanding was very sucessful financially, resulting ill a small debit of about £2 as against a £25 loss the previous year. The gate takings showed a considerable falling off and the entries also were somewhat below the previous j year's-figures although fairly satisfactorv.

Tho monthly meetings have not been too well attended throughout the year, and several meetings lapsed for want of a quorum, The reason for the poor attendance is perhaps due to various reasons —indifference and a desire f#r personal home comforts ; the satisfying contemplation of an ever increasing bank acount ; or, may be, the studying out of agricultural problems for the benefit of the farm. Of the foregoing supposition we sincerely trust that the latter one is the Teal cause, and hope that in the interests of the Club and district, members will in future come along to the meeting and gite tho Club the benefit of their fireside meditations. The professional fault-finder and critic will never build up any institution, but with the apathetic and indifferent there is some hope and the executive would earnestly impress upon members the desirability of regularly attending the meetings and come 'prepared to assist ill making Ihcin interesting and instructive. There is nothing more calculated to destroy the usefulness of any public institution tliau an indifferent attnedauce.,

The Club in conjunction with the public again approached tho Postal Authorities regarding postal facilities and, as a direct result of the agitation, there is every possibility of a post office being opened in the township in tho near future.

The Club's dip was again well patronised during the dipping season, some 12,000 odd sheep passing through it for the year, proving that it is still a useful asset to the Club's property. Several donations towards patriotic funds were made during the year, the total amount being £l(s 17s. The Club's fences were -thoroughly overhauled during the year, practically refenccd, and are now in excellent condition and should not be a source of expenditure for some considerable time to come. The buildings and yards also received the attention of the Committee and aro now in a very satisfactory state, several minor improvements being carried out on both. We- are again indebted to the Hon. James Allen and atention to the Club's interests and also the Agricultural Department for prompt for publications received treating on agricultural matters. The thanks of the club are also due to our many friends in D.unedin, Milton, Lawrence, Waipori, and Waitnhuna for their most generous donations in cash and goods to the Club's prize fund.

In conclusion the executive desires to thank the members for the financial support extended to the Club during the past year and trusts that through their individual help and co-operation the coming year may be made an extremely prosperous one.

The balance-sheet was submitted by Mr R. McCaw (treasurer), who said that in the face of the very full report submitted by the secretary it was almost unnecessary for him to make any explanatory remarks. -However, he took Ihe opportunity of pointing out that though their credit balance showed a marked falling off as compared with 11nprevious year, their position financially considered was fully better than last year. Tho difference in the balance was acounted for by tho fact that this yeai Ihey had purchased a quantity of sheep ilip prior to a sharp rise. This was a good asset. Then they had carried out considerable improvements to their fencing and buildings which of course, would not be recurring. He refer.id to their decision last year to pay only half prize inonoy in classes when there was no competition. This he said had caused a little dissatisfaction to certain prize-winners and ho thought they should discuss the matter that night and try and discover whether there was wisdom in their action. He then read the balance-sheet which was as follows :

Receipts. Balance from Inst year £28 17 5 Members' Subscriptions 2u n (1 Donations prizo fund 47 12 (1 Entry foes 25 1J (i Dipping fees f»4 13 J1 Sheep guessing competition , 5 0 0 Proceeds concert , 1(1 17 (1 Prococda danco , 7 17 n Gato receipts , 13 11 (i Eight of B&oth 1 10 0 Eont of Show Ground , 7 5 0 Collcetod for Y.M.C.A ,■ 10 16 0 Interest fixed deposit 1 15 0 ' Jotal £838 12 10