To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 142, 2 October 1863, Page 2

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

kiR, —May one of your constant readers be allowed to call your close and critical attention to the maudlin article in the Herald of yesterday. I think, sir, such attempts should be fairly met and crushed in the bud. Mr. Wood, or the Herald's master, whoever he ts, calls upon the “ industrial classes of Hawke’s Bay engaged in agricultural pursuits to keep in mind and support the approaching show of the’ Agricultural Society, and he hopes that agriculturists, dairymen, market gardeners, and others will all add their quota to the general contribution.” Then he adds—- “ Butter and cheese are not enumerated in the list of the Hon. Secretary, but zve feel satisfied that the omission is accidental, and that a SMALL AMOUNT will willingly be set apart for the best sample of these staple products. Now, sir, when I read over the list of prizes in that same paper I call all tills (fCLIYiTTIGTI . X am SUl*B I Il&VQ g£gn in nasf, years the opposite of all this in the Herald. I wish I had a complete series of Herald's, I am sure I could shew' up Mr. Wood Lorn his own paper. Does he think that “ butter and cheese ” are the only agricultural things omitted in that list of prizes by the Haw'ke’s Bay Agricultural Society ? Why, sir, the prizes are mostly for sheep and sheep dogs!! Tim truth is (and Mr. Wood knows it) “ agricultural pursuits ” and those of the “industrial classes”—to which honored classes the lazy sheepowner does not belong —will never be truly upheld by the rum holders, nor by any body of men who think that a small amount ” doled out as an afterthought V for the best samples of staple

products ” will effect any good purpose whatsoever. I remain, &c., A FARMER. Meanee Flats, Sept. 23, 18G3. [ln reply to the important queries put to us by our correspondents “ Plough” and “A Farmer,” having reference to the forthcoming “Agricultural Show,” we have only time now to say that we consider the whole affair as a mere sham and mockery —a kind of party contrivance to facilitate many little private arrangements amongst the “ lords of the soil.” As for its being, an agricultural exhibition, no one expects anything of the kind. The secretary is perfectly ignorant of anything beyond his own particular affairs, and we do not consider that, under such auspices, any real and lasting good—the real interests of this Province—is likely to accrue.— Ed. H. B. T.]