Correspondence.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, Volume 1, Issue 38, 20 December 1901, Page 3

Correspondence.

Theieolunrms of this j mrnal are open lor the discussion of all subjects bat we do not n c?ssarily identify ourselves with the opinions expressed. T.O THE EDITOR, Sir, As the mover of the motion at 4he Rodney Agricultural Society meeting for Saturday .as the most suitable -day for holding the show, find in ordjer to place before the public a clearer View of the matter than has been afforded them per medium of a petition by its promoters, allow me a few inches of your valuable space in det&hce of Saturday,

The t-ustom that obtains throughqut the colony, of holding public g'ather4wgs .on Saturday.? to attraot attendances,.,and its consequent benefit by w^y Qf S ate mqney, should hokj good at Warkwqrth. '

It has ever been a complaint with city people, who contribute more donations than local residents, $hns; they are not afforded an opportunity to visit the district and people per medium of the show, through, unsuitable dates, I take it, and it has ever been my aim, that our slioavs should be advertising mediums and offer every facility for tho .stranger to visit the district.

It is with pain that I am compelled to refer to the statement of a member of the committee of tho Rodney A. Soc, reported in your issue of the loth, inst." That it was quite right to give the local people first place and let yisitqrs take a second place." If this is the spirit that animates, Qr rather stagnates, the Redney A. Soc. then its doom ip imminent. Is it then the only object in holding a show to take all we can get (donations), and restrict the sl\ow for the sole benefit (prizes) of our immediate neighbourhood and keep the stranger from, our gate s.

One of the arguments used fo>' Saturday, that it would increase t)\e gate money, has been met at a recent meeting, with a comparative statement of the receipts of the only show held on Saturday, and the .subsequent show which j ffers no basis for comparison, from the fact that the Saturday show vas held on an open site, where the collection of gate money was of the mos-t primitive description, tlie subsequent show was held on a secure enclosure under very different conditions, i • .

One of the objections enumerated in the celebrated petition, that 'Saturday would eptail working on Sunday is too rid ctilous for c^ mment as i > .savours of the unco' quid of Otago, who, well-ineaning and good folk, but hidebound, tried to stop the diggers from travelling on the Babbath. In conclusion, I cannot but refer to the reprehensible action of members of the committee personally hawking a petition against the day of show originally fixed at a^ full meeting, Were such to be the standard of public spirit then any little c terie can block business with the aid of a few deluded signatiues.

I am, etc. I. G. Carrie,