The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, JULY 23, 1888. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1899, 23 July 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, JULY 23, 1888. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Tbrongh the courtesy of the Secretary of tho Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association we have been favored with a view of tho report and balance sheet to be presented to the Association's annual meeting to-morrow. '1 he report and balance sheet is brought down to the end of Juno, and though not showing such a healthy state of affairs as wo might wish to see m such an important association, still, all things considered, the Association seems to have done as well as could be expected under the circumstances. The Association seems to have maintained its membership list at about the same figure for many years, but it is complained that many of our best farmers and breeders do not take that deep interest m the afl'airg of the Society as is conducive to its material success. Many excellent members from some cause or other have lost interest m the practical work of the show, and though their places have been taken by other members we think it a pity that tho former members have not continued to exercise their influence for the good of tho Society by still remaining members of it. It has even been hinted that unless the old members return to their allegiance and work with the vigor which characterised them of a few years ago tho Association will be soon a thing of tho past, as by reason of want of interest by the general body it is impossible for the officials, with only the aid. of a very few of the Executive to administer the affairs of the Association .for the benefit of the greatest number. There scents to be considerable difficulty m getting members together to discuss any topic of interest to the agricultural and pastoral fraternity. There are many -Associations of a similar character where tho members meet, and besides arranging for an annual show havo a talk on agricultural matters for the mutual benefit of those present. Papers on important and debateable subjects are read and discussed, and thus tho true function of such societies is upheld. There is plenty of work for an Agricultural Society to take up beyond the arranging for a Cattle Sho>y or Horse Parade. In many instances questions releyapt to farmers when debated m Parliament have been taken up by local societies and discussed, and memorials sent to the House setting forth the views of the Society on the question, and the samo have been accepted with respect as an expression of opinion from those most deeply interested.

We trust there will bo a good attendance at the meeting to-morrow, and that sufficient energy and enthusiasm will bo displayed to make it apparent that it ?s not intended to allow the Society to go bac^ ,or even to remain stationary. Tho figures giving tho entricß for tho last seven years show the year just closed to have been, m point of number of entries, better than jOb,e y/ear before, though sheep were ifx a great i^Snority, and no exhibits of wool or poultry jferp t$ h#ud. From 1881 the total entries for BuccesLuy.e years havo boen, 478, 522, 407, 421, 533, 465, 514. The year J. 88.0 seems to have been the biggest show jn regard to number ol entries &nd the nhovf of 1883 tho smallest. The amount of money annually expended on prizes, etc, for encouraging the breeding of good stock is by no means insignificant Last year £is 7 J.2s represented tho receipts from oil sources including #n pyerdraft of £35 9s 4d, and the whole of thjs amount was devoted to the eyponsps of the aunual show no less a eura than | £309 14s being given m money prizes. The Society is financially sound, so there should not bo any uphill work before members if they would lend their counsel and assistance m the work of the b'ooiety. Tho farmers and stock owners m £he district should be fully alive to the advantages of bucU an Association, and wo nope to jbc.c tho Association's meetings of 1888 more largely attended, and greater success attending the e^Tortp of the fow to havo a really, first-class exhibition of stock, implements and produce when the time of tho annual fixture copies round. In horses, bothdraughtand backs, this diptr;ct should be able to show the way to any otjiep part of New : if owners should be induced to i bring forward their stock for exhibition. The 6«mo applies to longwool sheep and cattle m an equal degree, while special ' exhibits of implements and produce should not be wanting to make" a most complete local exhibition pf sppciaj interest to the general public, independent pf its value to tbe farmer and etQOfe raider, i