A SET-BACK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 29 November 1907, Page 2

A SET-BACK.

The Taranaki Agricultural Society sustained a serious set-back yesterday ("People's Day") owing to the wretchedness of the weather conditions. The Society deserved better luck. It had worked exceedingly hard for many months preparing for the fixture, and had succeeded in gettiug together a show that was distinctly creditable to the district and province. The Society has had au uphill light during the past four or live years building up its finances as well as the Show. With a line-day attendance yesterday the top of the hill would have been about reached ill respect of the finances. As it happened, the Society finds itself in the position of "as you were." The Society will, we arc sure, have the sympathy of the people of the district in its misfortune. Had the day been like Wednesday, there is no doubt that the attendance would have proved a record for North Taranaki. However, we cannot control the weather, and it is little use bemoaning the Society's fate over its 11)07 fixture. The misfortune 'should serve to quicken our interest in the Society and increase our material sup- j port. There is no institution in Uie district so worthy or deserving ot support as this Society, it has of late been doing so guod a work, and is capable of even better work, that we cannot allow it to languish in any way. To encourage and support it should be the pleasure aud duly of every person with an interest in the country districts and the town. The more the Society progresses the better it is for the district, of which it should be, and is rapidly, becoming a rellex. it has been suggested Dial a big garden party should be organised and the money devoted to the Society's funds by way of compensation for yesterday's loss; but while the scheme is practicable enough, and if taken in hand properly would succeed in its object, we incline tu the view that a better way to help the Society is to aid in the work of increasing its membership. If the four hundred odd members, for instance, undertook to secure a new member apiece between now and next Show-time, the Society would be placed in a very satisfactory position, and able to organise a Show equal to some of Hie best Shows of the Coast. There is no reason why every business man in the town and every farmer outside should not become a member, and if approached in the right way we feel that they would. We commend the suggestion to the well-wishers of the Society in the hope that they will take it up and carry it into effect.