WANGANUI AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18164, 28 April 1921, Page 6

WANGANUI AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual meeting of the Wanganui Agricultural Association was held yesterday. Tne president (Mr H. V. Hammond) was in the chair. There was a large attendance.

Un behalf of the committee the presi-j dent (Mr H. V. .Hammond) presented tne following annhal report: — In present.ng the balance-sheet for the year ending March 3ist, 1921, your committee have to report a successful year, the credit balance being £194, winch, after writing off. £B5 depreciation of buildings and plant, also £24 previous year’s deficiency, enables us to carry £B3 forward to capital account. This balance is not as large as might have been looked for, but you will see by the figures shown that your commitmi ttee had several heavy financial expenditures to face to enable them to; have everything in good and proper order in the way of accommodation for the valuable cacti*, etc., exhibited at your show. However, this expense will not be recurring. In add.tion the prize money again shows an increase ot approximately £2GO over last year, while the donations to the special prize list shows a falling off of’ £75. Your membership now stands at 986 (ordinary members), this number showing after the roll had been purged of upward of 203 members who had either left the district or become uniinancial. Life members stand at 168 (7 honorary), junior associates 2. The entry; fees show an increase of £152, but in view of the many valuable prizes and trophies offered, fall short of our expectations. We wish to convey our hearty appreciation and thanks to the Wanganui Jockey Club for the valuable assistance and help which they have so willingly given us from time to time, and ako to the local railway officials for the courteous treatment that we have received from them at all times. During the forthcoming year it will be necessary, more so than ever, that wo should redouble our efforts, to not only increase our membership roll to 1500, for under this number your committee have very little margin to work upon. Will all do your best in this direction? If each member would endeavour to secure one additional member, the financial position of your Association would be assured. 1 ask you to give your support and assistance io the incoming officers and committee, and let us prove that even if times are somewhat unsettled that we can hold up the high position to which our show has attained.

The report was adopted. The following officers were elected President. Mr H. V. Hammond; vicepresidents, Messrs J. McL Blair, R. Farley, G. F. Moore; bon. architect, Mr T. H. James; hon. solicitor, Mr F. K. Turnhull; hon. treasurer. Mr G .8. Vance; hon. surgeon. Dr. D. Wilson; auditor, Mr Wm. Hall ; committee * Messrs C. E. Billinghurst, W. T. Broderick, J. Craig. Roy Campion, W. E. Collins. Stuart Cameron; S. M. Davis, G. C. Glenn, G. H. Handley, Moore Hunter. A. T. Hunter, G. V. Hammond, F. Handley, L. O. Ingram, H. G. Lewis. N. F. Moore. E. Parsons, Donald Ross. Te Mana Ruahoata, B. C. Smith. Claude Smith. L. P. Sheriff. Frank Spencer, F. K. Turnbull, W. F. Ward. On Mr Franklin’s motion, it was decided that a register of the attendance of the members of the committee should lie kept, so that the record could be published in the annual report and on the ballot papers. EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS. Au analysis of figures presented at the annual meeting of the Wanganui Agricultural Association yesterday was conclusive evidence of the steady progress of the Association. The entries for the 1901 show, with, the figures for the 1920 show in parentheses, were:—Horses 630 (369); cattle 162 (262); sheep 323 (317). The receipts for the same two periods were: Gates and privileges £3BO (£940); members’ subscriptions £427 (£1086); prizes paid £532 (£l2 32); entries £316 (£519); gross rece.pts £1383 (£3208). * A review of the figures over the 20 years period shows that in horses alone has there been a decrease in entries. This fact is due to the advent of the motor car and the gradual elimination of light harness type of horse.