WAIRARAPA A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 43, 14 November 1907, Page 2

WAIRARAPA A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

PROPOSED AMALGAMATION. x SOME PAST HISTORY. \ In connection with tho proposed amalgamation of tho two Wairarapa A. and P. Associations (writes our correspondent), it is interesting to note that there wag a' similar proposal considered early in 1889. There was not then tho strenuous growth of the Manawatu Association to face, but it was nised that ono show would bo raoro representative of thp entire district than -the; system then in existence. The Wairarapa had iii those days also tho opposition of the Wellington Association, which has since gone by tho board. Committees from" the Mastorton aiid AVairarapa Socioties met' and formulated the following suggestions ■/■.■■•■■ (1) Amalgamation of the .two bodies with alternate shows at Carterten and at-Master-ton; (2) alternate shows for four years, each society handing ovor to tho-'other a-sum (Uio amount afterwards to be agreed upon) from its members , subscriptions, (3) amalgamation with a view of obtaining ja fresh ground in tho most suitable placo, barring hot' Carterton and Maste'rton. grounds; ! (4)' that the committee feels strongly that to continue tho two shows present means the sorious crippling of the interests of both.

These proposals wore considered by special meetings of both Associations. It is noteworthy that the idea of amalgamation with fresh grounds outside of both Cartorton-and Masterton found favour with both meetings, and resolutions to this effect were carried. Members were by no moans unanimous, then any more, than they aro now. The whole question appears l to have been summed up .most effectively by the lato Mr. William Booth. He condemned tho idoa of. peripatetic slibws as most unsatisfactory. It had been found so in former years in tho Wairarapa, he said, when shows were held at Masterton, Tauherenikau, and Greytown, and it wouid bo found' so again. Tho speaker did not think that tho Wellington show would last long. Years ago tho settlers of the North and . South . Wairarapa had agreed upon Cartorton as the most central position, and in his opinion tho centre of the Wairarapa could never be found north of the Waingawa river. Shows should bo held for the good of tho district, in the interests of stockownors, and not wholly for hotelkeepers and business peopld. So far as ho was concorned, he was prepared to move the show to any part of the Wairarapa south of tho Waingawa river, provided tho Cartorton grounds were , found to V>o unsuitable.

OTHER OPINIONS. Mr. Alfred Matthews did not think that . breeders should bo asked to show twico a year and also to attend two ram fairs. However, nothing could bo done unless 'both Associations wore unanimous. Mr. Coleman Phillips favoured alternate shows. He .objected to tho localism of Cartorton and' the bounce of Mastorton, and referred to the growing districts of Mauriceville and Pahiatua. If tho Woirarapa shows did not act in unison tho Wellington show would wipe them out. Mr. James Stuckey did not; think that the time was ripe for amalgamation, but ono show was better than two. Mr. H. R. Bunny was in favour of ono show, and would support a proposition of this nature provided that both societies woro unanimous. Tho late Mr. AV. Lowo considered that ono show was enough for tho Wairarapa. Ho woujd like to seo all local jealousy abandoned. The object of the societies should bo to obtain air improved class of stock. Mr. James M'Gregor was in favour of amalgamation and alternate shows. Mr. W. C. Buchanan could not seo that alternate shows; would accomplish much. If anything wore done it should be for tbo advancement of the whole district. Mr. C. Pharazyn thought tho proposal for alternate shows a good ono. Something of tho kind would have to be dono some uay. . These opinions were expressed seventeen years ago. No further action was taken then till 1892, when there was a proposal from tho Wairarapa Association that there should bo one show at or near Cartorton and ono annual ram fair at or noar Masterton (at that time each association hold a ram fair). Tho Masterton Association considered tho proposal, and after considerable discussion, decided that it could tako no further action unless tho question of sito was submitted to independent arbitration. As matters now stand, l it is recognised that both associations havo steadily progressed in every way. Neither has gono backward, and Wairarapa stock can moro than bold its own in any portion of tho Dominion. The question to bo considered is what will bo tho position ton or twenty years hence. Maryborough will then be a most prosperous sheep and dairy farm contre with a railway. The Forty-Milo Bush will bo much further developed, as will the Wairarapa. Up against this will bo the aggrossivc progressivfiiiess of the Manawatu A. and .I*. Association, which will then probably bo .tho bige&lt institution of its kind in' the Dominion, that is if it has no direct opposition. _ With both ends of tho Wairarapa and their influential connections working in unity, however, Manawatu cannot have it all its own wny, and the spirit of industrial rivalry and emulation cannot fail to bo productive

ot the greatest benefit to the agricultural and pastoral interests on both sides of the ranges. How the amalgamation of the two Wairarapa associations is to be attained must be left to tho wiso discrimination of thoso superintending the operations.

WAIRARAPA NOTES,

(from our special correspondents.)

Messrs. Diamond Bros, havo just disposed of a 200-acre section of sheep country Kaitawa, in tho Tiraumea Valloy, to Mr. Kenny otPongoroa, for £13 an acre. There is considerable mortality in the' Adrmral Bun district owing to cattlo and sheep feeding liberally .on tutu, a poisonous native growth which ls'just now shooting fresh. llio Parkvalo Dairy Company has four vats, which havo now been found to be insufficient for the daily supply o f milk, and another yac has been ordered. At Dalefield, eight vats, representing 4,800 gallons of milk, are filled daily. Supplies generally aro : m advance of previous years. Authorities confirm tho statehment in The Dominion some tune ago that tho main reason tor this increase is that there has been less sickness than formerly amongst the- cows, owing to increased care on tho part of dairy farmers. An outbreak of disease amongst dairy stock in tho season is a severe loss to the farmer, who is not slow to c recognise the fact. In connection with the rctorinary instruction given in past seasons to farmers, Mr. bilruth informed your correspondent that he or any member of his staff would bo inly too pleased to visit any district when required, so long as tho business was not overdone and continue thoso practical illustrations of treatment which, havo been found to bo of the greatest benefit to tlioso connected with the industry. Land agonts in tho' Wairarapa report a decrease in land sales generally, and at tho same timo a hardening of the money market' In a private lottor-box owned by Mr F Sunkol, Belvedere Road, Carterton, may be soon a starling's nest with the mother sitting upon five eggs. Each morning the box is cleared by the letter-carrier, and the starling looks on undisturbed from her corner I» a ,convorsation with Mr. C. Campbell, or Uarovillo, upon the depredations of tho green fly amongst sheep, Mr. Cnmpbcll stated that he had every reason to believe that Mr Head, M.R.C.V.S., was correct when he said that sheep wore more apt to become affected upon scrub plantations than on clear land It would not be wise, however, to cloar away scrub.from sheep country, owing to the'fact that it. was a most necessary protection for tho stock.

Splendid rains have fallen throughout tho Wairarapa Results will bo most beneficial to all the farmers. A Taratahi resident states that Ins rape crop grew fully four inches between Saturday and Monday last.

,v CENERAI FARM NEWS,

Tho crops all round the Foilding district (writes our correspondent) have freshened up well as tho result of the warm -rain. ' Tho late-sown crops are looking better than thoso put in at the beginning of the season. Thero is no doubt that tho farming industry was thrown back by tho unfavourable weather of last month, but tho ground has shown its recuperative powers and tho prospects now before tho district aro good.

.On the. subject of tho dairy school, last il'Sr F ? lldlI, g "Star" says editorially: Wo/ would suggest to tho Government a happy way out of the difficulty. We have not been saying much in the controversy, and have only one recommendation to mako. Why not split the .difference of area and •.strike'tho. happy', medium between the two or three contending parties by choosing tho J 1 oilding district as the. sito. for the dairy school? Feilding has a largo community of dairy farmers, the wholo country round is settled and if tho dairy sohool was established here it would be moro conveniently situated for other farmers generally .than cither tho State farm at Levin or thoPnl'r merston site Our proposal is'well worth the serious consideration of the Cabinet "