Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-01-04
pssrRIcr aoRlcSlruRAl AssociA'
TIOR NO. 9.
Annual Report of the Secretary
for 1899.

70 he Board OF Directors Of the ,SirM
District Agricultural Association:
GENTLEMEN, have the honor to
submit herewith my statement of the
financial affairs Of the Association at the
close OF the late annual Fair. Unayoid-
able delay in closing up some outstand-
ing matters has necessarily delayed this
report.
The showing Is not as good as desired
nor as satisfactorily as the Directors
might have wished; but under oil atten-
dant circumstances, when fully consid.
cred is much better than appears. The
late period at which / undertook my
part Of the work and the late date at
which the exposition was held were
serious drawbacks, increasing the labor
to great degree and adding largely to
all the expenses. Apathy on the part
Of the public, from causes well known,
led many to look coldly on the onter.
prise and be in great measure entirely
indifferent as to the success Of the under
taking. To overcome the obstacles
constantly met, was no holiday work
ns all concerned can freely testify and
that we met with the success we have
under adverse circumstances is credit
able. To 20 more into detail at this
timo would be but repeating what all
nre quite familiar with, and think l
can safely assume that had the magni-
tude OF the task been foreseen there
would hive been no Fair in 1882.
The chief difficulty in tho way, one
that was thrust forward in the very in
oeption. was the want Of suitable place
in the city in which to hold horticul-
tural, mechanical and fine art display.
The old Horticultural Pavilion had
passed nwsy, and with il the hopes and
friendly aid of many Of our citizens.
Turnvorein Hall, though not altogether
adapted to such use, could have been
made to answer, and Mr.. Lichtenberger,
Director, was authorized to secure it.
He found that hall in semi-sort Of q
way engaged for some kind Of q minstrel
performance during fair week. This
engagement 1t seems was only on condi-
tion that fair was to be held. The
conditional and verbal agreement, with.
ont tho usual conditions, was entered
into by the President of the Turnvcrein
association some time before the subject
Of a fair was taken up by the Directors,
and that officer could not be induced to
think that fair, such as was contem.
plated, was of moro advantage to the
business of the city than the performance
Of a travelling comedy or minstrel troupe.
The result Of this was the compulsory
necessity Of erecting the temporary
structure on Main street--on tho land
generously given without charge by Col.
X. S. Baker-.at cost of over S2, 900. II
answered the purpose admirably, and
the exhibition held therein gave general
satisfaction, and but for the fact that the
only public hall in the city could not be
obtained, this Association would have
81 800 or more in the treasury.
The horticultural display, while good
rs far as i! went, was not such as Los
Angeles county ought to be excessively
proud of and anxious to advertise abroad
But there will be no such difficulties
next time.
Tho exhibit of live stock OF every
description ut the Park never was bet.
ter, and gave great pleasure to visitors.
Of one thing am assured ON unques-
tionabe authority I note IL here
with pleasure--that the business of the
city was never better, in the same length
OF time, than during the week in which
the Fair was held. This satisfactory
showing ought to be sufficient stim.
ulnnt to activity another season and in
sure in advance thorough success
Those gentlemen who exerted them
selves to make horticultural display
are entitled to thanks.
Some necessary and decided improve.
ments were made at the Park, by adding
new sheds, stables, etc, for the accom-
mediation of stock. Necessary repairs
were also made, the whole aggregating
considerable on expense account. There
is also property on hand useful in future
exhibitions, worth fully the cost, about
$500.
Following is the statement;
List of subscribers to the citizens
fund, raised in aid of the fair, together
with the amounts subscribed by each;