The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 25th, 1924. A. AND P. ACTIVITIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 25th, 1924. A. AND P. ACTIVITIES.

'l'm: annual mooting of the Westland A. nnd P. Association is an event which Imrdly figure* vho pntroimgo the ovga.

uisation deserves. Such an Association is capahlo of great usefulness for the In nelit of the interests with which it is identified, hut its inlluenee for good and sustained work is governed entirely by the public spirit and interest of those hacking the management. ’Hie Association exists lor something mole than holding an animal show. It has worn to do all the year round, and last rears’ record as detailed by the animal report, showed that the Executive had been attentive to the obligations falling upon them. It is not good 10 see it recorded, however, that the financial membership ' s !l declining quantity. Membership is the first stepping stone to success, and the tanners genet ally should see that the reproach is lemoved for the future, and that the membership will be augmented to the fullest possible extent. \\estlaml is ol course, a scattered area, and the heaclcpiarters have to he centred at the most convenient place. Hokitika is naturally somewhat remote Irom some 1 arts of Westland, and settlers resident in those parts cannot give personal attention to the woik or meetings of the- Association. Isut the work ol the body is for tho benefit. <d all engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, and however remote the settlers may he resident, too operations cover all parts of the district. Tho settlers should thoi'otore link up with the Association and make' its memliership larger, its influence wider, and its finance more assured. 9he A, and P. Association has a good deal on its hands if it cares to look round anil attend to the various activities which might engage its attention. It is regrettable that the winter school in the past was not a success, hut the Association should not give- up its objective to supply the fullest information, and should endeavor to arrange lor travelling lecturers on various topics ol interest to the settlers. Having the scattered nature of the distric t in mind, this form of general instruction appears to lie the most, practical if all parts of tin- -district arc- to lie reached and a practical interest awakened in tho value of the work of the Association. The improvement of herds is another matter calling lor attention, ami riling the litl ll re of the pastoral possibilities ol the distric t at their full worth, it is imperative that everything possible should he done for the betterment of the- stock. 1 seful instruction in regard to farm pur-nits should -he followed up to the greatest advantage, and where* possible competitions in various matters could he organised. Now that a winter school has (ciine I<> he established in the district. the* Association should endeavor to co-operate with the promoters in making that event more useful am popular still. As to the annual A. and P. Show there is reason to I**licve with the better facilities for transit, this event will grow more and more important, and enterprise l in furthering its expansion should he well rewarded. It is for the* public to show a practical interest in nil these* activities in support of a wider and more extensive movement to advance the* general interests of the district in regard to agriculture and pastoral pursuits.