AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW FOR FEILDING.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 124, 21 November 1894, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW FOR FEILDING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Siu, — Several correspondents in your paper bavo proposed to have an Agricultural Show at Feilding. As snch a step is to bo much deprecated, 1 will, 'with your permission point out how disastrously a similar course of action is worked elsewhere. The Wairarapa and East Coast A. and P. Association was formed to represent the district described by the title, and hold their annual show kt Carterton. Au excelleut two days' show it is. Unfortunately for the district, Masterton desired a show, and ultimately the Masterton A. and P. Association was formed. The sad spectacle of two shows, only nhie miles apart, and sometimes but ouo week between, was then presented as a monument of local jealousy about wbicli ; visitors never ceased expressing their wonder. Unfortunately the breeders at first did not firmly oppose it. They now, however, see the folly of two shows so near one another, and with a few exceptions ignore it, so that it is likely to die of neglect. An end most devoutly to be desired, by all those who have the welfare of Agricultural and Pastoral Associations at heart. Exhibitors knowing that it is to their advantage to send exhibits where they will meet the foemen worthiest of their steel, avoid these small local shows, when acquainted with their character. Consequently the competition is very small and the honor of winning proportionately so. Go where you will, you will hear the same remark " Thore are too many shows " and it is already true of this West Coast since the successful inception of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association, two other local Associations have been formed. At these, there is little or no outside competition, and in the case of one of them, I know the local breeders are looking forward to its speedy decease. As its name implies, the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association has aimed at representing the whole of this Coast, and how successfully it is doing so a reference to its membership list will prove. Its committee is thoroughly represent* atiye, and by a change in our roles will be increased next year, so that no one who has shown any real interest in Agricultural and Pastoral affairs can feel excluded. This Association holds its annual show at Palmerston North, which place by nature, and our railway system, is without doubt the best site on the whole of the West Coast Cox a show, Further than that I may say that it in an opinion more and more generally expressed by breeders, exhibitors, judges and others interested, that Palmerston North is the best position in the North Island for a representative show, hot us not, therefore, stultify the work that is before our existing Association by assisting others to spring up in its midst ; but rather, continuing as we have begun, let us work to make the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association as representative as ever of these distriots ; its work as far-reaching in matters Agricultural and Pastoral as that of Canterbury ; and its show— well let us try to make our show the first in the North Island and a good second to that held at Christchurch. I am, efco. George Wheeler.