PRESIDENT'S REPORT. RENO, NEVADA, January 23, 1903. To His Excellency, JOHN SPARKS, Governor of Nevada: SIR: In accordance with the law, I have the honor to submit herewith the proceedings of the State Board of Agriculture for the years 1901 and 1902, together with a statement of the financial condition of the Society, as particularly exhibited by the detailed report of the Secretary. I would respectfully call your attention to that portion of President Parry's report of this Society during his term in 1900, in which he says: * "Considerable money has been expended and considerable more will be required to be expended on needed repairs, such as replacing the decayed fence posts, blown down fencing and repairs to sheds, stables and grand stand. * * It is essential that this work be done immediately in order to prevent further destruction and to place the same in a SAFE condition for the next State Fair. The funds on hand are inadequate for this purpose and in view of this fact I would respectfully recommend that the State, at the session of the next Legislature, make provisions to complete these required repairs and improvements and to further aid in carrying on our State Fair for the years 1901-1902." In coming into the presidency of this society I found the above statement to be the facts. I immediately commenced to carry out the execution and completion of these needed repairs. I had all of the inside posts of the track replaced by new red wood ones, as well as replacing a great many of the outside fence posts. The track had been washed out, first by a cloudburst and then by the breaking of the irrigating ditch which passes through the grounds. The two upper turns of the speed track were washed off down to a mass of bowlders, while the lower turns were covered by washed sand to such a depth that it required the use of teams and laborers for weeks in hauling it off, while an equal force of men and teams were hauling in sod on the upper turns to cover the exposed bowlders and rocks. This work had to be done in order that horses could be trained and raced at the Fair. The stalls were all repaired as well as reshingled and painted. Sheds of all description were repaired and painted, and a poultry house was built. A fine arch was erected over the main southwest entrance gate, as well as an entire new set of gates to entrances and speed track. The grand stand was repainted; a new picket fence was also constructed in front of the same and painted. Under the supervision of the Superintendent of Track a fine lawn was cultivated in front of the grand stand. It was found necessary to put in a complete new set of water pipes which conveyed water from the ditch to the stables and other buildings. Everything in the way of farming implements were found to be almost worthless, and new ones were substituted by purchase. Even the water tanks were practically useless and had to nearly be rebuilt. This was the condition I found the State's property in at the Fair Grounds. Something had to be done, and that immediately, in order to hold a State Fair for 1901, and it was done. It seemed to me and the Board the only way to hold a successful Fair and preserve the State's valuable property from utter depletion and ruin. The Secretary's report shows the different amounts for these described. expenditures, under the proper headings. In accordance with an Act of the last Legislature, the Pavilion lot on Center street was sold and the Pavilion building thereon was removed to the Fair Grounds. It was found that the Pavilion required improvements after its removal and re-erection. In order to beautify it and secure a resting and sightseeing place for ladies and children a long wide balcony was added thereto and for further accommodation of ladies and children a dressing room was partitioned off from this main building. Patent closets for the exclusive use of ladies and children were also added to these required improvements. With the State appropriation and the anticipated gate receipts of the State Fair, it was confidently expected that we could pay off every dollar of this required outlay, but right here we were disappointed, owing to the tragic death of President McKinley during Fair week, as also the burial during the same week of W. O. H. Martin of this city, a former President of the Society. These two sad occurrences cut off our gate entrance receipts. At the close of the Fair it was found that the pay for laborers, employees, etc., would require about $3,500. In order to accomplish this it was decided to borrow this amount from the Nevada Bank, several of the Directors giving their note for the amount, trusting to the Legislature to reimburse them. This explains the $3,500 overdraft in the Secretary's report. In concluding this report I have to say that I hope our present Legislature will do something to relieve our indebtedness. State Fairs, like other State institutions, are not supposed to be self-supporting. Very respectfully, P. L. FLANIGAN, REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. RENO, NEVADA, January 31, 1903. To the Honorable State Board of Agriculture: GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the transactions of my office for the years 1901 and 1902. (No State Fair was held in the year 1902): STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS, 1901-1902. PREMIUMS AWARDED, SEPTEMBER 16-21, 1901. (Not Paid.) EXHIBIT A. THOROUGHBRED STALLIONS. Class 1-Four-year-old and over: Class 5-Four-year-old and over: 10.00 "Joe Terry," Lemon & Co., Purdy and Reno.. $20.00 "Adafain," Lemon & Co., Purdy and Reno... THOROUGHBRED MARES. "Odd Eyes," Lemon & Co., Purdy and Reno Class 13-Four-year-old and over: "Aunt Bird," Lemon & Co., Purdy and Reno STANDARD-BRED STALLIONS. Class 17-Four-year-old and over: "Lochinvar," J. D. Blainey, Grass Valley, California STANDARD-BRED MARES. Class 21-Four-year-old and over: "Peggy," C. P. Ferrel, Reno.. Class 27-Three-year-old: J. N. Evans, Reno......-- 15.00 500 5.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 10.00 10.00 CLYDESDALE MARES. Class 76-Two-year-old: Joe Frey, Reno 5 00 ROADSTERS. Class 88-Stallion, four-year-old: W. H. Blanchard, Reno.. Class 102-Four-year-old and over: Joe Marzen, Lovelock. Class 107-Four-year-old and over: Joe Marzen, Lovelock. GROUP 16-CATTLE-HEREFORDS. COWS. Class 128-Four-year-old and over: John Sparks, Reno.. GROUP 24-SWEEPSTAKES. Class 204-Best bull, any age or breed: Joe Marzen, Lovelock To Joe Marzen, for meritorious exhibition in Live Stock Department, the Total awards for cattle (unpaid). Class 255-Trio Light Brahmas: J. Steiner & Son, Reno. $2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2. 00 2.00 Class 288-Pair Naragansett Turkeys: C. M. Sparks, Reno.. GEESE. Class 289-Pair Toulouse Geese: C. M. Sparks, Reno. DUCKS. Class 292-Pair Pekin Ducks: C. M. Sparks, Reno 3 50 3.00 2.00 |