THE ASHBURTON ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11500, 5 February 1903, Page 3

THE ASHBURTON ASSOCIATION

At a meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton Association, held on Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Levinge, president of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, with Mi M. Murphy, late secretary, waited on tii a Cf.mimttec in reference to the proposed harvest festival to be held at Uhristchurco Dr. Li»viuge explained that lie was present to solicit sympathy and support in the movement, and was not there to obtain the support of the Ashburton Association only, but of all the Canterbury Associations. The. object was to enable the Association to acquire the freehold of its grounde, and that was the reason why it was intended to hold a festival. He maintained that the November show was not fully representative of agricultural produce. In explaining the form the festiva' was to take, Dr. Levinge said that it had been decided to associate with the Floral Fete, and by doing thus it would bring them into closer touch with the townspeople. The Association he represented was handicapped through having to pay £300 a year ground rent, and if this project turned out a success, they would be relieved of paying that amount. Hie idea was that tit© festival should be as typical as possible from an agricultural standpoint. The Winter Show had not been a success, and it had to be given up. *No\v they felt that the country people should lend a helping hand, and if the festival were to be a euccess, the country people roust join in. It was his opinion that something in the way of district etalle should be formed, and farmers could contribute produce and look to the district Associations to manage the stalls. Prizes would bo offeVed, to be awarded to the district Associations which could show the best results out of their sales. Hβ witfhed it to be understood that the Canterbury Association would not compete.for their own prizes. Mr 31. Murphy also spoke. He believed in broad principles, and was much allied to the spirit of brotherhood. He drew attention to the enormous amount of good been e'ene throughout the c010r.%----by the Agricultural Societies, and especially the Canterbury A. and P. Association. Large sums were paid away annually in prize money, and farmers obtained a "good deal of knowledge by exhibiting at nhows. Beplying to questions, Dr. L«vinge said that he wou!d be glad to reecivo any sort of farmers' produce, and the more typical it was the better. Regarding freight, his Association would b? willing to pay freight to the show grounds, but it would be iess exptnse if depots were formed, so that the produce would reach them in a concentrated form. Shed accommodation would be provided. The date fixed upon for the festival was March 19th. .Mr Leadkysaid that arrangements c"-uld perhaps be jnade with the Government to have the produce carried free. Every support should be given to the parent Association. Mr J. Studholms, junr., was in sympathy with the project, but was favourable to the winter show being held. His idea wa.s that a winter show was just as important as those held at the tpring MmiT-of the year. He threw out a suggestion regarding the harvest festival, and stated it would be well to bring in rlw> element «".f competition among the .stall-holders. He favoured the appointment of a committee to overlook the exhibits, and see that they were forwarded in large lots. Mr D. Thomas, while in accord with the project, was convincad that if the festival was to be held on the 19th March, not one -farmer in ten would be able to support it with produce. The grain would not be ready for exhibition by that date. Dr. LeviDRS Tecosmised the importance of Mr Thomas's remarks, but the floial fete

had to -be considered, ■and the date covdd not be put off. He would mention the matter to hia committee. Mr Leadley moved—" That having heard the project as explained by Dr. Levinge and Mr Murphy, this Association accords it* support and" sympathy to the object in view, and will do its utmost to support it." This was seconded by Mr D. McKendry. In order to give effect to the resolution a committee, consisting of the President. p.nd Mead i<i Tucker, Gibson, Bullock, Thomas, and R. Friedljuider, were appointed, with power to add, to :."eceive offers cf produce.