The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1886. THE AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1543, 10 August 1886, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1886. THE AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

At last Saturday's meeting of the Committee of the T. and G. A., and P. Association resolutions were carried to the effect that it was desirable to hold a horse parade this year, and a show in March next. As regards the horse parade nothing need be said in its favor. This district baa kept the palm for many a year for the best breed of horses, and it is certainly the place to which most of the horse-owners of South Canterbury will direct their attention. There can, therefore, be no doubt as to the success of the horse parade, but with the agricultural show the case is different. It will hare to be worked up well, and all interested in it must put their shoulder to the wheel if they, wish to make it a success. It is not (hat the district lacks the necessary elements for a good show. The land is, t n the whole, about the best in the whole world, the district is thickly populated, the stock, as well as the products of the toil, aaßiot easily be beaten, the show ground is easy of access to all, and, therefore, nothing is wanted to make it a success except unity and a little public spirit amongst the farmers. It is said, although we have not experienced it, that such is the feeling of jealousy existing between femoka and Geraldine that they will never be got to pull together. Whatever they may do in other respects, here, at least, is one institution in which they can unite together. The show cannot exclusively belong to either district; it belongs to both, it bears the name of both, and the show ground is situated in as central a position as possible between them. Few places could be bad that would suit the convenience of all so well. There can, therefore, be no jealousy in the matter, the credit of success, or the discredit of failure, will be shared equally by all, an Jif they corabftiS . together there can be no doubt but that ail will benefit by it. Agricultural shows have done a vast amount of good throughout the world, or, at least, in such pans as they have been held, and they could not fail to be attended with satisfactory results in (his district. The great obstacle in the way is the Timaru show. People say that one show is enough, but let it not be forgotten that successfnl shows are annually held in smaller districts than this. There is Waimate which has its annual agricultural show. Leeston, liaugiora, Kaiapoi, and other small places round Christchurch have their shows. Almost every little district in Otago has its annual show, and yet there is not a district amongst them equal to this. These small shows are useful in this way—la a friendly competition with their own neighbors people are enabled to see whether their exhibits are fit to compete at larger shows. This will often save them trouble and expense, for if they can see no prospect of winning thay will not enter for the big shows. On the other hand, to see one’s 'exhibits superior to (heir rivals is an incentive to exhibit, and in that way many who own good stock and never exhibit them would probably be inducad to come forward. The show would do good to the Timaru show, it would increase the interest taken in slockbreeding and agriculture, it would bring people together to talk over matters af interest to them, and do a great deal of good all round. We, therefore, trust that the gentlemen who were appointed as members of the Committee last Saturday will do their best to bring the proposed autumn show to a anccessful isaue.

GERALDINE COrNf? COUN'JTL. The Geraldine County Council is unfortunate. It has been so since first it drew the breath of life. Close on four years ago it bad a Bill to enable it to undertake irrigation prepared, and it intended to get legal effect giren to it but it was dissuaded from doing so by the promise that the necessary powers would be given under the amended Counties Act. That Act has been undergoing perpetual amendment ever since, and yet it does not supply all the machinery necessary to make a bit of a water channel. Another amendment of it is at present in the loom, and it is doubtful whether it will come cut perfect. This is what has retarded irrigation, and, judging from appearances, all the difficulties in the way are not yet cleared away. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill, which was the great loadstar of the irrigationisls, hangs al present suspended between hope and despair. It passed the Lower House, but when it reached the Lords they declared it a Money Bill and quietly put it aside. To many, perhaps, this proceeding may not be intelligible. It means this. The Legislative Council bat no right to amend Bills dealing with money matters,and consequently it must cither reject or paps them as they reach them. They did not like to reject it—in fact, it is doubtful whether they hare' any right to do so—but they disapproved of the Bill, and so what they did was to put it quietly by and forget all about it, The House of Representatives has, however, sent them a second Bill, and it is probable the Council will have to give way and pass it. The human skull must be terribly dense in the Council. A more useful Bill than the Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill has not been passed for some time in oar Legislature, but of coarse they could not see it. It means (hat Local Bodies can borrow from Ike,

Government instead of going to Bngand for money, and if that system had been adopted long ago a large annual sum would be saved to the colony. Besides, we notice that a great many are working in anticipation of this Bill passing. Besides this district, we notice that Mr P. J. Murphy has introduced into the Waimate Council an irrigation scheme for the Waihoa riding, and that lie proposes to borrow the money fram the Government. The total cost of Mr Murphy’s scheme is estimated at £7500, it will irrigate 53,000 acres, and a rate of Id in the £ is expected to pay interest and sinking fund. There are, we belieyo, other people looking out for the Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill to pass, and if it does not it will disappoint mmy. It is intended to fill the place of the and Bridges Construction Act, and is very much needed. THE CENSUS. It is gratifying to know that while the population of the South Island—and; especially of Canterbury—has decreased for the last five years this district has gone •head. The Temuka Ridingof the County of Geraldine has increased by TO, the Geraldine Riding by 508, and the Mount Peel Riding by 89, while tho Levels Riding has increased by 794, making in all an increase for the County of 1737. Tiraaru has gone back 163, Waimate 270, and Oaraaru 461, while Ashburton has gone ahead 243. If we look around us, therefore, and observe bow other places are getting on, it appears to us that we can safely say “it might be worse.” There arc a few facts over which we ought to reflect, for it would do us good. The first of these is, that there ars few places beneath (he canopy of heaven equal to this district for fertility and productiveness of soil. That is one thing to give heart and encouragement. Another fact is that if aqy part of tho world progresses, we must advance as well. Most of the land is held in small holdings, we have a beautiful climate, we have the best conveniences that science has invented, and there is nothing, in fact, isft to wish for, We have also made a fair start in industries, and it is probable that as wo move along others will start up. Everything depends on the industry and intelligence of the people themselves. By pulling together they will progress rapidly ; by each following an individual course, regardless of what may result* progreis will be slow. Here is an example: What are the resources of Ashburton compared with those of Timaru ? and yet the latter is going back, while tba former is going ahead. Timaru is cursed with a few interest-grabbing agencies, whose managers have no ambition beyond, getting 10 per cent.' for their money. Ashburton has enterprising merchants aad go-ahead citizens, and the result it shown by the statistics. Let us pull together, support each other, and back up each other like the people of Ashburton, and we all shall be benefited.