A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1928, 30 October 1926, Page 5

A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

OTOROHANGA’S PROGRESSIVE STEP. PURCHASE OF SHOW GROUND. (Own Correspondent). An extraordinary general meeting of the members of the Otorolianga A. and P. Association was held yesterday in Turner’s Hall for the purpose of deciding matters regarding the acquiring of show grounds. Those present were: Messrs W. McAdam, R. Cowern, J. Stuart, O. Dalziell, E. Cumpstone, G. D. Hall, G. Jeffs, A. J. McCready, M. Cowley, G. Glennie, A. J. McGovern, G. Richmond, H. Richmond, A. J. Fortescue, C. Langkilde, C. Kidson, W. R. 11. Rowe, W. Bluck and G. Eassey. The president, Mr W. B. McAdam, presided. The secretary reported that at a meeting of the specially appointed committee it had been suggested that efforts should be made to acquire interests in the Saleyards Company’s property, but so far nothing had been agreed upon. There had been other grounds under consideration, one being subject to a native title. The chairman stated it was not the wish of members of the Saleyards Company to part with any of their interests. He himself was not in favour of the said ground for several reasons. There was the property of Mr King, which had been recently purchased by Mr C. G. Murphy, but who had before buying made an offer to the Association and this offer Mr Murphy was prepared to renew. Mr Murphy, said he was prepared to let the Association lffifVe the at wliat it had cost him (£550) providing he had a guarantee that the land would be used only for an A. and P. Show groifnd and general sports. This was essential for one never knew when speculation might supervene. He would like to say that he would ask for a deposit of £IOO only and the costs of transfer to be paid. The balance could be left at 61 per cent, for seven years. The offer was open until Christmas next. The chairman said he thought Mr Murphy’s offer- was a very generous one. He thought they would have no difficulty in getting the required money. He did not think the “Island” proposition was feasible. They knew it was an island and the cost of making approaches, etc., would be a bar to its use to say nothing about the possibility of flooding. At the suggestion of Mr G. Eassey it was agreed that those who did not know Mr Murphy’s property should go and view it there and then. This was done and the meeting was temporarily suspended until they returned. Upon resuming those who had viewed the ground reported through Mr Kidson that they thought the ground was an ideal one. The distance from the centfe of the town was only 1| miles and they had done the distance easily in four minutes by car. It would be a nice easy walk along a good road for pedestrians. Mr R. Cowern said he was opposed to the acquiring of thjg, ground on the score of expense. The, chairman thought Mr Cowern was too pessimistic and would refnind him that it had already been decided that the time • was opportune. The Association had had a very successful career and its membership was rapidly increasing and would continue to do so. Mr Murphy reminded the meeting that some 15 years ago a few Otorohanga people subscribed £7OO odd for the securing of the saleyards and surely the residents of to-day could emulate what was then done for the benefit of the Association. Mr EassCy thought this was a very happy suggestion and one to be borne in mind. He himself was prepared to give £5 and he thought others would also subscribe. He thought the committee should frame a scheme to finance the purchase suggested. Mr A. J. McCready suggested that they should not miss Mr Murphy’s offer which need not necessarily be open indefinitely. He himself was prepared to give £3O a year for the ground pending the commencing of building- operations, etc., by the Association.! 1 This would be almost the interest'required on the purchase money. ’’ ;

A suggestion by Mr Cowern that the Association should he made a corporate body elicited the information that the cost of incorporation would be only £lO. Mr Richmond thought that if every member put his hand in his pocket and donated £1 (or more) all financial difficulty would be overcome. He was not suggesting a levy.

After further discussion it was resolved on the motion of Mr A. J. McCready that the Association purchase the property from Mr Murphy and that a committee be formed to go into ways and means of finance. Also 1 that the Association be incorporated. This was seconded by Mr Glennie and carried by 18 votes to 1 (Mr Cowern), Mr G. Eassey not recording a vote. , The following were elected a committee ,pf ways and means:—The president and secretary (ex officio), Messrs Cowern, McCready, McGovern, Fortescue, Glennie, Kidson and Rowe, the first meeting to take place that evening at the secretary’s office. On the motion of the chairman a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Murphy for his generous offer. Mr Murphy acknowledged the iota but said. what he had done had cost him nothing, but he had acted in the interests of the Association.