A PROGRESSIVE BODY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2624, 20 November 1915, Page 12

A PROGRESSIVE BODY

VALUABLE SOCIETY

STRATFORD A. AND. P. ASSOCIA' TION.

There are several agricultural associations in and about Taranaki, and among the most truly progressive of them is the Stratford Agricultural and , Pastoral Association. It is a young so- ] ciety, but it was planted in a district t which needed it, it was tended from its ' birth by enthusiasts, and now it is a 1 strong, flourishing body rendering val- 1 liable service to the country round J about it. | Tho society was formed in 1910, and, i therefore, is now in its sixth year. In November of 1910 tho first show was i hold, and it was a success, financially ' and otherwise. That the association < commenced successfully and has (fcntinued cvor since on tho road to success is duo chiefly to the fact that it commenced its career with one great asset that so many similar bodies . lack—a showground of its own. . The Stratford showground is a very fine property. Its area is forty acres, and it is only a milo from tho Stratford Post Office. It is situated in Flint Road on the borough boundary. Another asset of the association was (and still is) the enthusiasm of its members. Eight from the commencement of affairs, the townspeople and tho country people throw themselves wholeheartedly into the project. The wholo district supported the show with an enthusiasm that made failure only the barest of possibilities. TTioir enthusiasm was of the most valuable kind, for it was practical help by way of membership, support, and donations of special prizes and prize money. In this way the association weathered the first year, and came through with a small credit balance. Since then the progress has been very steady and very satisfactory. Tho association has improved' its property, and has ereoted a people's stand, which holds about 600, at a cost of about £500. The stand was financed through a number of enthusiasts taking up lifemembership tickets at a fee of ten guineas each. Another improvement, and ono appreciated particularly by oxhibitors, was the erection of forty bull boxes, in which bulls sent to the show can bo housed overnight. During the day stallions can he accommodated in some of t'he boxes. This improvement cost £300, and tho work was done out of revenue in tho third year of the association's existence —a good performance - . . , , „ , j "When the association took the land oyer first, it was rough and stumpridden. Since then it has been cleared and out up into small areas .and hold-ing-paddocks. The value of the land has gone up considerably, and if the association went out of existence tomorrow it would retire financially sound if only on account of the increased worth of its property. In the last six months the association has gathered a fine harvest of new members. This since the annual meeting, when an active ciuivn-ss was determined upon. This year tho public have subscribed on £800 in the way of special donations- to the prize fund for tho coming show. Tho Show entries have grown as each year has rolled round. Last year there were record entries. What is more important than thla numerical increase is the improvement in tho quality of the stock shown. Now, quality -is tlh© fe&tuxG of tflw show. Still more important is the improvement' which has' bean effected in tho quality of tho herds kept in the district. . The Show has done its share in bringing about this last-mentioned improvement) and that, of course,, is the chief end of'the association. Stratford is very largely a dairying district, and, therefore, tho dairying industry is'strongly represented at the Show. Tho chief element among the cattle is the dairy breed. Horses are always well represented amongst the other stock. For the coming Show, the New Zealand Dairy Breeders' Association is giving a valuable trophy, to be competed for in a direction calculated to. encourage the Jersey breed in the district. ■ The- ppstion of the association to-day is stronger than over it was. It holds a high place amongst the shows of the Island. Its financial position was never so good. It has reduced its liabilities. It lias increased its'membership, and its enthusiasm is,' still ' growing. Ah instance of the enthusiasm of tho people who form the association is the fact that six members went at their own cost to the Wanganui .Show this week for entries. If this" year's entries at Stratford are hot'as good numerically as they were when the 1914 record was established, it will not be the fault of the association, but due to the fact that the war has caused a decrease in the entries at many shows. The difficulty arises through so many of the mo nwho prepared -stook for the shows, and tended them at the shows, having gone to the front. • This year's Show will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 1 and The present executive officers of the association are'.—President, Mir. R. Masters: vice-presidents, Messrs. J. B. Hine, M.P.. J. W. Boon (Mayor of Stratford), W. Hathaway (chairman of the Str.it.ford County Council), and A. Meredith (chairnwi - of the Wmngamomoua County Council); treasurer, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood: secretary, Mr. A. D. Stanley; committee, Messrs. R. Masters (ohairma.lo, R. Dincle*- K. Jackson. TV. P. Kirlrwood, J. M. Shatter, A. David, E. Kflleher. N, B. Fletcher. A.- Stewart,. W. J. Lopdell, and S. M. Porritt. • NO COLD IS "NAZOL" PROOF 1 Unlike other baking powders, SHARLANP'S Pure and Sure Oomixmnd costs no more than before the War. Save money by using SHABLAND'S—Advt. •VJSTHAT makes tho crowd always go to YV Herbert's New Store, Hawera? Ifs value, reliable goods, smart goods, and good attention. Messrs. J. .H. Bethune and Co. announce in our auction columns an im:portant property sale for Friday next qfc 2.30 p.m., at their rooms, Feathers ton Street. Under instructions from Miss Godfrey, they are uubmitting her splen. did property, Lancaster and Wallace • Streets, Karori. A fine blook of land having 264 ft. frontage to Lancaster Street, by a depth of lCsft., on which stands Miss Godfrey s 15-roomed residence, is being offered; also the adjoining land, having BGft. frontage to. Lancaster Street and tffift. to Wallace Street, together with four-roomed cottage. The wounds are tastefully laid out with fruit trees, flowers, shrubs, and kitchen garden. The auctioneers recommend 1 this property to those in search of an ideal suburban property. rE new baby lias a big place at Herberts Now Store, Hawera. Beautiful ready-made Infants' Goods of every . description. _ Mr.'H. Ernest Leighton, land agent, has some nice houses for sale in the suburbs. The Tramways Band will play several selections at Lyall Bay to-morrow afternoon. YOU'LL surely pay Herbert's New Store a visit when in Hawera for Show Day. Lovely Voilo and Muslin .Dross Picce, 3s. lid., shadow stripe, spot, or ' floral effect. Messrs. Williams and Kettle, Napier, advertise a large honso to let for one or two years. . THE Chenpest Line you'll get in Hawera—ls. lid.. ss. Gd. pair, Doublebed Unbleaclicd Herringbone Sheets. Herbert's New Store is famous for household goods. ■■ SUABILITY is the foundation-ston* mT awbwVfl Stef«i Sma.ll p>w, «mst Koofc , ... . *