AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 229, 9 December 1874, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Sib, —I perceive from the tenor of your monthly trade report, that the principal reliance of the place is still in the almost unworked for godsen Is —wool, and grass seed ; and I think I can glean that you at any rate are not satisfied with a continuance of such culpable lethargy, where all facilities for a different state of things exist. lam not long enough in the district to be quite up in all the occult reasons which may exist here to prevent the institution of an Agricultural Association. lam fully aware, however, that iu other places, petty jealousies between the “ rangatira,” the “ nevus homo,” the “ old identity,” and the “ new blood ” tribes have had to be out-grown, before a combination of the kind, for mutual encouragement was arrived at. If Poverty' Bay be not in that stage, when those who might interest themselves for such an object, would be looked upon as only acting for their own purposes, as being best prepared ; (which happens when things are really becoming riper for the project) I would advise that this is just the time of the year when a society should be formed ; a programme for next season issued, and subscriptions and donations secured; money' and medal prizes proclaimed for culture of certain areas of products, most required here, and those for exportation, which are known to suit the soil; and for experimental crops for cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and poultry, in every class of which there is ample room indeed for improvement. We would in doing so be following the example of every place having a spirit of progress. Starting such a movement in January does not give a week’s overtime for its consummation in a shew in (say) October ; ground to be broken up and prepared &c. Sires and other stock to be obtained would require all the time. I imagine I have heard that an attempt at a Society, of, the kind I hint at, was thought ofor made and failed (I don’t know which) even so, I hope this letter may instigate some further effort. — Yours, &c., New Chum.