The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1883. Our Agricultural Association.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 987, 5 July 1883, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1883. Our Agricultural Association.

There can be no doubt that the various Agricultural and Pastoral Associations established throughout the colonies have done good work. The exhibitions of stock and farming implements which take place periodically in different centres of population, serve to rouse up a healthy spirit of competition among farmers, while the crowds of people that assemble on these occasions afford evidence that the interest in such matters is not confined to those immediately concerned. But it is of course the farmers who are most directly benefited, and bearing this in mind, we must confess we are at a loss to account for the apathy exhibited in many instances by them as to the working of these Institutions. A proof of this was shown in the very meagre attendance at the annual meeting of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held yesterday, and it is to be feared that the complaint of the outgoing Committee of the small amount of support received from those who derive the greatest advantage is more than justified. Nor was this last meeting any exception to the general rule, as the attendances have been uniformly small since the inception of the Society. The truth is that the whole work devolves upon one or two members, and although they go through their self-imposed task with enthusiastic energy, it is manifestly unfair that they should obtain so little encouragement and assistance. Indeed, it appears to be not unlikely that unless a better spirit springs up, the Association will before long cease to exist, a result that the farmers will have good cause to regret, but for which they will have only themselves to blame. The balance-sheet presented yesterday certainly shows that the Association is in a slightly better financial position than it was last year, but the fact that the balance is still on the wrong side is not creditable to an institution which has been in existence for six years. As to

thq annual shows, this district has reason to congratulate itself on the decided increase in tire number of entries that has taken place every year, and we may confidently expect that an improvement in this respect will be visible next November. The last agricultural show in Ashburton was admittedly the best held during that season between Christchurch and Dunedin, so far as both the quality and quantity of the stock and the excellent exhibition of farming implements were concerned, and yet the membership roll of the Association does not far exceed a hundred, of which number not more than a dozen could be found to attend the annual meeting. There is surely no reason why, in a large farming district such as this is, there should be any difficulty in increasing the number of subscribers to at least four hundred. All that is wanted is that the present supporters should do their best to induce others to take an active interest in an institution that if properly managed cannot fail to accomplish useful and valuable work.