WESTERN DISTRICT A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Western Star, Issue 1385, 31 August 1889, Page 2

WESTERN DISTRICT A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

The committee of the above Association mot at Thornburvyesterday, those present being tbo President, Mr F. Sutton (in the chair), Messn Caldei*, A. Kail, Plavfair, Baird, Foster, Mc-' Hardy and Fullarton. The accounts in connection with the late ploughing match (which bad been previously liquidated) were passed for payment. An account of Mr Craig's for 10s for enrrraviug Mr Baird's cup was also passed. The hon. treasurer, Mr Fullarton presented the balance sheet, duly audited, for year ending 24fb August. It showed the receipts to be: on account show, £lB6 9s 3d; from ploughing match, £24 ; and from other sources, £S 19s sd. The disbursements were: on account show, £l9l Us 7d ; ploughing match, £2O 8<? 9d ; sundries, £22 12s. The debit balance at the bank was shown as £ls 63 Bd, but against this there are a few subscriptions vet to come is. Members considered the balauce sheet, all things considered, satisfactory. Included in the expenditure set down against the show was a sum of £l3 odd, paid for erection of a much needed shelter shed. This constitutes a very good asset. —The balance sheet was unanimously adopted. The committee's report states:—.

Your Comraittep, in presenting the annual report, regret that it is not so satisfactory financially as that of Inst yoar —there being an overdraft, of £ls (is Bd. Yet taking into consideration all tho circumstances, the position of the Association is not discouraging. Tho show of stock in December last was not so successful, in some respects, as some of those of former years. The weather having been cold and unfavourable, stock were not in so good condition for exhibition. Still the number of entries was 337, as against 853 in previous year, the falling off being chiefly in sheep. Many of the exhibits were highly creditable to the district—more especially the exhibits of horses, which were allowed to bo tho best exhibited in tho grounds. At the annual ploughing match in July last, the competition was not so koen as during some former years, there being only ten ploughs on the field, but tho display of horses was excellent. Your Committee held eight meetings during the year, but it is to bo regretted that so few members attend when a meeting has been convened—no fewer than three meetings having lapsed for want of a quorum. To obviate this difficulty, the Association may consider it advisable to reduce the number of members of Committee. It is now your duty to elect for the ensuing year a president, a vice-president, a treasurer, and two auditors, and six mem-

bers of committee of management, in room of thoso retiring, who are eligible for reelection. To acconnt for the present overdraft, the Committee wish to point out that a building for the exhibits of dairy produce was erected on the grounds before last show, which cost £l3 53. This building was much required, and is a good asset. The annual general meeting, which was to take place at the close of the committee meeting, lapsed, a sufficient number of members not being in attendance.