THE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 169, 18 October 1880, Page 2

THE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

To the Editor.

Sir, —In your issue of the 12th, I see a letter signed “ A Farmer,” who appears to have a very doubtful opinion of our A. and P. Association. “ Farmer ” begins by saying that it is not very pleasant to ride a long way home after the meetings when these are held at night. Now, if “ Farmer” had taken any notice of our meetings, he he would have known they were held once or twice in the afternoon, to try and draw the farmers together ; but so few attended that they had to be given up. “ Farmer ” again says that he thinks the Society will soon be a Toiyjicultural Society, and be more for merchants than fanners. Here he is very much mistaken again, especially when he says the townsfolk wish to “lord it” over the country. Those merchants who attend the meetings, and others who take an active interest in agricultural matters, know and feel that unless the farmers in this district succeed in their .work, there would be very little prospect of the merchants prospering with theirs.

I think there is no restriction as regards non-members attending these meetings, but all will be welcome. As a parting shot “ Farmer” declares that he has paid his guinea annually and never received a ticket. All I can say is that “Farmer” must pay his money in a very round-about sort of way ; for if he had paid his subscription to the Secretary he would have received his ticket at once. The best thing “Farmer” can do is not only to attend the meetings regularly himself, but persuade others to do so too. If he does this he will soon be convinced that it is not a 2'ormcultural Ssciety.—l am, &c., A. Farmer Who Attends.