The Evening Star SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2095, 22 January 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1870.

There is a striking contrast between the fates of two societies established for a like purpose within fourteen miles of each other, that is worthy of more than a passing consideration. In Dunedin a few years ago, a Pastoral and Agricultural Society was formed, that flourished, languished, and died. It had for its object the diffusion _ of knowledge on subjects connected with the two industries ; it ranked amongst its members some of the rich and influential ; in the first instance it numbered many subscribers and because of being Metropolitan, it was thought it must be attractive. One of the chief hopes expressed was that by holding its periodical meetings in Dunedin, exhibitors would be drawn not only from different parts of the Province but from other colonies, and thus an impetus would be given to rearing stock and raising produce that would be productive of the most beneficial results. But none of these aspirations were realised. There was evidently a defect either ot organisation or effort. The Society never gained the sympathies of those whom it was intended to benefit; the subscriptions were not paid, and in consequence prizes that ought to have been distributed immediately after the exhibitions were either never given at all, or the presentation was delayed so long that they ceased to be valuable to the winners. In striking contrast to this is the success that has thus far attended the Agricultural and Pastoral Society at Blueskin. The district is so well known to our readers, that no description of it is necessary in order to enable them to draw a comparison between its apparent chances of success and that of its more pretentious neighbor of Dunedin. When first the Blueskin Society was projected, there were twenty pounds of the vote of the Provincial Council unappropriated. This was accepted as a nest egg ; the farmers and runholders in the neighborhood came forward and subscribed liberally, and although initiated at a period of the year when all other Societies considered their labors concluded, a successful meeting was held, which has followed this year by one so well supported as to give promise of the institution becoming permanent and useful. From the accounts we receive from various parts of the country, wherever a district Pastoral and Agricultural Society is established, success attends it. The experience of Dunedin shows that whenever an association is brought into existence here, it is almost stire to prove a failure. No matter what it is, science, politics, music, literature, agriculture—each in its turn has had a succession of efforts at successful association, but there appears to be some repellent influence at work that mars schemes even the best devised. As this is a fact too palpably true to need illustration, the natural inquiry is, What is the cause of non-success in the one case, and of the almost invariable realisation of the object in theother 1 There must be some secret adverse power, the working of which it will be charity to lay bare, in order that the way to effectual co-operation may be clearly discerned. The fact seems to be that the success of any voluntary association depends very much on the personal influence of the directors and secretary, and through them the diffusion of a spirit of enthusiasm amongst the members. Groat numbers of persons are willing to give an abstract assent to the benefits derivable from associated effort, and will subscribe their money, so long as it appears likely to succeed. But they are easily disgusted, and if there be lukewarmness on the part of those who have been elected officers, and an unwillingness to make sacrifice on their parts, or to put forth personal effort, a wet blanket is thrown over all the proceedings—nobody cares whether the Society lives or dies. It is evident that the most important element of success lies in the choice of a secretary, as was truly said at Blueskin at the annual dinner of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society last evening. The president may be His Excellency the Governor, or even Her Majesty the Queen, and Lords and Squires may ornament the roll as treasurers, directors, &c. ; but plain John Styles, the secretary, is the man who does the work ; and if his heart is in it, and his ability and tact be equal to his enthusiasm, the thing will succeed. The fire that animates him spreads on all sides; upwards to the ornamental names ; downward to plain misters. He is the heart of the Association, and if that beats feebly or fitfully, it dies. But even his efforts, however well directed, fail, if he lias not impressible elements to work upon —men whose sympathies when roused are with him. It is evident that in the country associations these elements abound. The Government will do well to mark this, and to take advantage of it, so that it

may be utilised to the advancement of the pastoral and agricultural interests. An idea was thrown out at the death of the Dunedin Society, which judiciously applied to existing societies, may be of great benefit. The defect of our present arrangement is that the competition is purely local, and that although Tom Brown may produce better butter and cheese, or grow finer oats, wheat, or potatoes than Nathan Robinson, Pat Murphy, who lives fifty miles away may beat them both, though neither of them knows it. The great advantage, therefore, of getting a hint from the best that can be done, is lost to those who, if they had it might improve upon it. The last dying speech of the Dunedin Society suggested, that the money voted by the Provincial Council was frittered away in local competition, and through diffusion became profitless. At first sight there seemed some truth in it; but on further consideration we think it must not be too hastily adopted. When practice contradicts theory, it is plain the investigation has not been thorough, and that there is a link wanting in the chain of evidence, or the conclusion would coincide with the teachings of experience. To withdraw the Government support to these societies would tend to cripple them, and to damp that local ardor which is necessary to the success of a central association. What seems to us the more likely plan is to utilise local efforts, and to devise some scheme by which, either at a given centre or at different places, annually, an exhibition should be held of stock and produce for which prizes have been awarded by the various local societies. Local competition would, by this means, be stimulated by becoming Provincial, or even Colonial. A vast amount of useless travelling of stock would be avoided, for it would only be necessary to take the best from every district, and prizes might be awarded that would be worth winning. We think this the natural working of the scheme, and believe it to be of so much importance that we shall bo glad of every hint that can be given on the subject from these who can aid in maturing and developing it.