The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY JUNE 1, 1885. PASTORAL SHOWS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2004, 1 June 1885, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY JUNE 1, 1885. PASTORAL SHOWS.

Now that the question of holding the .shows ot the Pastoral arid Agricultural Society in Masterton lias buen raised, the history of the Society should not be without interest. The project was first of all broached in Masterton, and although there were many farmers and runholders who were dubious, all went in and did their best to make it a success. A good deal of support was given from Greylown and the Lower Valley, and in consideration of this, it was agreed that the shows should be held alternately at Masterton and Greytowi:, In the course of time the Tauherenikau racecourse was substituted for Grey town. Masterton people were not, however, content with the arrangement, and after the position had been considered in private, an at- i tempt was made to have all the shows held at Mastcrton, where they had always proved highly successful from a financial point of view. The Society rejected the, proposal, and steps were immediately taken to fori)) a separate Society. The movement wet with such a large measure of support, that the members of the old Society reconsidered their position. Negotiations were opened, and before tho new Society had made arrangements for holding a show, it was decided to amalgamate, and to holdjfutm'e shows at Carterton, where substantial and extensive yards were Accordingly erected. Since then, duiijig a, period of about six years, no attempt Jfiw been made to disturb the arrangement, until the Master ton Farmers' Club took the matter in hand. The members of the existing Sooiety have an undoubted moral claim upon tha public of the Wairarapa, because they have in good faith obtained a piece of ground and erected extensive and suitable yards at considerable expense, and they have also, we regret to say, incuired large financial responsibilities, which may or may not have arisen out of the agreement already referred to. The conclusion wliicfi the Farmers' Club has come to is this; That the Society shall be asked to hold all its bli.qws in Masterton, and that, in case of an unfavorable answer being received, steps be j immediately taken to form a new' Society, which would, of course, carry out the idea, The Club has this in its favor, that the shows held in Masterton have always proved a success from a financial point of view, while those held elsewhere have varied considerably. If the existing Society declines to accede to the request, another Society will probably be formed, and if this is done, the question which requires an answer is, whether either of them can lie made to pay their expenses, which is, ol course, all that is required. We are not inclined to hazard an opinion until the matter has taken a more definite form.