The Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 17. TARANAKI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 69, 17 April 1909, Page 2

The Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 17. TARANAKI AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Taranaki Agricultural Society has reason to feel gratified with the success that, has attended its operations during the past year. A glance at the president's report and the balance-sheet presented at the annual meeting on Thursday evening and reported in yesterday's issue, shows what properly directed determination, .enterprise and energy on the part of'a small band of men will accomplish in a brief period. Five years ago the winding-up of the Society was sriously considered. Now the society has a membership of nearly 500, assets to the value of £1570, and holds a show thai compares not unfavorably with sonic of the best in the island mid in respect to its dairy classes aim jumping competitions is indeed superior to most. This is evidence that the executive have been working on the proper lines. Last vear's show mas the most successful in Hi" history of the Society, from practically every point of view, an important contributing factor being the excellent weather prevailing., If the Society is fortunate in this respect again this year, the Society should be placed in a position of considerable financial strength and able to launch out more ambitiously in future. Though the Society lias done much in the past, there remains a great deal nior.' to be done, and this fact. w,c are glad to note, is recognised by no one more than by the executive themselves. At Thmsday''s meeting it was suggested that more encouragement should be given lo school children's classes, the chairman observing that the committee were considering the matter of holding an autumn show, and that, the suggestion would be incorporated in the programme in connection therewith. Whether or not tlie Society decides upon a winter show—as was also Miggested— or an autumn show, we hope il will not lose sight of the suggestion. The school classes of both Wangnnui and Palmerston shows are special features, and have proved a great success. T.lie home industries sections, too. might lie very iuat rially improved. These proved wry disappointing last year. In a district such as ours this should not hj": the home imlustrv exhibits should V.one of the chief features of the show. Ei this connection we are glad to learn that an effort. U to be made to enlist the help of the ladies of the district. We are satisfied that a strong billies' committee cnilil be formed to take over this department and makv it a thorough .success. Some two vears ago we expressed the view that Taranaki should hold a winter show. We are glad to see that there is ti probability of the ■Sovietv doing something in this connection, 'it is a well-known fact that the success of the Palmers!on winter show is. in a large measure, due to the exhibits that are sent from Taranaki. exhibits which are really a show in themselves. Were a similar show lu'ld here, a few days before or after the Palnierston fixture, there is not the slightest doubt that life*,, exhibits would' be available, as .well as n great many more, and with home industry exhibits, competitions, etc.. form a show that would be a credit to the place and a source of interest to the whole of Taranaki, if not to outside places. The winter, too, is a convenient time for farmers to get away from their work, mid. with anything like decent weather, there can be little (loubt that, managed us capably ns the spring or summer show* have been of late, a winter show would prove a success from the ,-lni't. We hope the commit lee of ihe Society will give favorable consideration to the proposal, and take the 'necessary nleps lo give effect to it.