CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 1, 27 October 1883, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents]. ;o: - TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l agree with your in Thursday's issue that the Poverty Bay Agricultural Show this year was certainly not an unqualified success ; neither was it a representative one. Years ago when the show wa« held at Makaraka, there were more entries and the public were there in greater numbers. Now sir, why is it, and what are the reasons that the show was not better sup* ported, or that the number of exhibitors grow smaller and beautifully less each year I will attempt to answer these questions. First and foremost the inhabitants of Gisborne cannot afford to go such a the expense absolutely debars the majority from taking advantage of the holiday. .The consequence will bej that hvenhiallf ail interest will be hsfc by the townspeople in such exhibitions, and then the Agricultural Society will become defunct. The management of these affairs appear to trie id ignurt the general publid, aud quite indifferent whether they are patronised, so long os their own selfish ends are served. In no place of importance in New Zealand does it cost so much money, to see or enjoy so little sport or amusement. Take the four large towns of the Colony, the expense of gotting Oh the ground does net exceed 2s per head. I know these places well, and when a holiday is pro* claimed for shows, races, Ac., the public there in numbers, because they can to get there. I will ask you sir, tinent question, do you think the Melbourne would draw JOO,OOO on the day, if the expense was four times is ? Or would tho Christchurch Show attract 15,000 visitors if it cost four times the amount of entrance fees ? I will further ask as to what proportion do the inhabitants of the country bear to the town, and they must dearly see, that they hap the power in their own hands to state of things. Bring all the close to your own doors, the country people will not be put to any they ar« always provided with conveyances to trade with. For the greatest good for the greatest number should be the main object. Thus far I have said nothing as to why the number of exhibitions are dropping off. The reason Is apparent when two or three gentle* men have sufficient influence to Utterly ignore the wishes and requirements of the large majority (who I must say are too apathetic to bestir themselves) it is only natural to suppose they will continue to £rtify their instincts. If the townspeople instead of grumbling would only combine they could sooa alter matters, and Poverty really have a representative show j not the miserable abortion as witnessed this ut Patutahi.—l am, Ao., W. L.