NORTH WAIRARAPA PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2073, 20 August 1885, Page 2

NORTH WAIRARAPA PASTORAL SOCIETY.

A public meeting' to consider the advisableness of forming.an Agricultural and Pastoral Society for North Wairarapa, was'held at the Institute yesterday afternoon. There were about thirty settlers present. -, Mr R. Dagg occupied the • chair, and explained that he, as Chairman of the Farmers' Club, had been asked to preside so as to keep the matter in order. He read the advertisement convening the meeting, and stated that the list before jthem contained promises to the amount of about £IGO, while about £3O more had been promised, so that they might say they had about £2OO available. He believed that the prospects were very encouraging, and sufficiently so to warrant the starting of a.new Association,. He hoped that the subject would be pretty well exhausted during the discussion.' He suggested that they should proceed to float a Society. Jilr Oaselberg thought they would be more in order, if they ascertained first of all the amount of support they were likely to receive. He should suggest that the list of subscribers be read. '

Tho Secretary read the circular sent out, and the replies received thereto* Mr Lyons said, as a stranger in the district till about a year ago, he waa.utterly surprised that they had only one' Pastoral Society in the district, and that that was not at Masterton.' In Canterbury they liave_ five or six shows in sucli a large district. Masterton was essentially a farming district, but was far behind in stock through not having shows as they ought to do. He again expressed surprise that Masterton did not have an annual Pastoral and Agricultural show, and that there should be any- dissension or jealousy on the subject.' He knew the district very well, and had not the least doubt in saying that if the people would band themselves together they would have a show that would be a credit to the district.' In answer to several questions put, Mr Fitton, the Secretary, stated that circulars had been sent out to 500 settlers in the district. Of that number 60 had replied, 45. of these bjing favorable, and the balance of 15 unfavorable, to the formation of a new society. A large number of those written to resided in Masterton, and nearly all of them had given a verbal reply, which was in favor, Less than ten of the ninety who had promised subscriptions had replied, and the whole of the larger number were, of course, favorable.

Mr W. H. Beetham said he was one of the members who had signed the guarantee for the debt which the existing society had incurred. He sympathised with the present movement to a very great extent, and his brother, who had only left town that morning (referring to Mr H. H, Beetham), had requested him to say that his sympathy was as strongly with Masterton as his own, They had, however, a debt hanging ovor the existing Society to the amount of about £7OO, and this was guaranteed by a small number of settlers. They (Messrs Beetham) had exhibited very freely in the beginning, and they would continue to exhibit, though not to such an extent as formerly. He doubted whether there were so many societies in the South Island as had been represented by Mr Lyons. There was a good Society at Christchurch, another at Tiinaru and one at Oamaru, all of' which ■ drew exhibits from all parts of the colony. In Hawke's Bay they had a large district, and only one central and prosperous Society. Those that made a name for themselves were such as those at Christchurch and Hrwke's Bay which had large districts, and where stock from all parts of the colony was shown. He did not dispute that Masterton was a better site for holding the show than Carterton, but they had some yoars ago agreed to go together, and they should not now cause a split in the Valley. He believed they could accomplish all they wished for without a split (hear, hear). There were, of course, interests to overcome, but that was only a matter of time. While the present debt existed, they could not very well remove the show, Mr Hawkins said he would put the meeting in order by moving a resolution. He was not in the happy position of Mr Beetham, who had put his name to paper, and he could therefore speak with the greatest freedom, In the replies that had been received, he noticed that only eight had promised to exhibit stock. They might, no doubt, get all the runts in the valley together, and might, certainly get a lot of gate money from people who would come to see them ; but they would only make themselves a laughing stock. Masterton undoubtedly had taken a very strong lead in the valley, and it would be certain to increase it. Even the mere telegraph returns showed what a far greater amount of business was done, Masterton was attractive, while the present show ground was not, and Masterton was, therefore, the place where the show should be held, because people would come to a large place when they would not to a small one. Seventy per cent of the people would go for the mere holiday, and not to see the stock. Whenever the Royal Agricultural Socioty's Show was held at a small town at Home, they had to reckon on a loss of several thousands. The amount of gate money they would take was the great secret of success, The Wairarapa was not a very big place, and they had no room to quarrel. He thought that when they had gone to the Society, they had been a little too abrupt, and also, that the time had been too short to allow the necessary fixtures to be made for the present year. Thuß Mr Booth had been given an opportunity to return a Roland for an Oliver. They could not, however, • accept Mr Booth's answer as final, or as that of the whole members of the Society. Ho felt sure that they would find some door open to speak to them in a friendly way. Everybody who mw Carterton, saw that is was not the place to hold the show, and that Masterton was; but that was no reason why they should rush in, He was sure that no one wished to quarrel with siich men a? Mr Mathews, Mr Russell, Mr Buchanan, or Messrs Bidwill, who had borne the lion's share in tho past, He foresaw a very great future for the society, but a great deal depended upon how they went forward; He had been told that day that if they did not strike tlie iron while it was hot they would not be able to carry out their project at all, He did not believe that. With time and patience they would get all they wanted. He proposed that a committee be appointed to confer with the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Association, and devise some terms on which the future shows of the society would he held in Masterton.

Mr Meredith was glad to see that matters had taken a practical turn, . Mr Hawkins had shown them that they might do some good. The great difficulty which they had to look to was the position of the Pastoral Society, because thero was a large amount of money invested, and unless they could see their way clear to come to some terms with those who had given the guarantee, they would probably fail to carry out the proposals to induce the Society to hold its shows in Masterton. The present proposition came from a different source than was usual, because societies of the sort were usually started by the pastoral' interest. The farming and pastoral pursuits, were, however, so. closely connected that 'their interests in

holding periodical shows were identical. Sheep farming in the colony was still in its infancy, and while feed was allowed to po to waste in summer, sheep were starving in winter. These shows would help the sheep-farmer, and assist in developing the farming interest,' and if made : a success, they would be to the advantage of all the settlers in the district. He should have been pleased if Mr Beetham had told them the- value of the assets of the existing Society. If they were anywhere near the liabilities they could bridge over the difficulty, He seconded the motion,

Mr Beetham supported the resolution, and believed that ere long they could hold the shows m .Masterton. He did not believe that the settlers in the Lower Valley could' now have any serious objection to come to Masterton. He could not say exactly how much the assets of the old Society were worth. They had paid a high price for the land, because it was near the railway station; but .he remembered that .Mr Pharazyn was strongly in favor of the purchase, and Mr Pharazyn was supposed to know what he was about. Not .only had he supported the purchase, but he had said that if at any time'they. considered it a mistake, he would be glad to take it off their hands at the price paid. Mr Lyons enumerated' the societies in existence in Canterbury and Otago, to show that he had not exaggerated; He explained tlie duties of pastoral societies, and concluded by saying he did not see why the guarantors for the old society should assume the position of the dog in the manger.

Mr Meredith suggested that they should appoint a committee to meet the society, and do everything possible, to bring about the desired result.

Mr T. E, Chamberlain said the season was advanced now, and if they waited until they had interviewed the old society it would be too late to do anything, even if the result were favorable, They should proceed to elect officers and a Committee, and they could then ascertain the views of the other society, Carterton might fall in with their views. Mr Beetham said it was not a question of Carterton only, but of the whole valley. Mr Caselberg said he was the mover of a resolution to try and come to an understanding with Carterton, He thought that if they could hold a show without interfering with the other society, and at such a time that they would not clash, they were going in the right .direction, They had the support of all the business people in Masterton, who had subscribed very liberally. Yetwhenthey lmd instructed the Secretary to write to different people to ascertain how many would support them, he expected to see a far greater number of promises of support, and he was disappointed at the result; but, on the other hand, if they made a good commencement they would find that success breeds success, Position was undoubtedly, the great factor. Mastertoil was increasing in population yea after year, and year by year they must gather strength. Yards were, for the time, but a matter of very small importance. They had about £2OO subscribed, and if they thought that was sufficient they might proceed. It was not, however, to b t e expected that an existing institution would encompass its own dissolution. If it were not too late to have another conference, they should have it. He asked Mr Hawkins to accept an amendment to the effect that a conference be held, the delegates to report by a certain time, and in the event of no arrangement being come to, then to pv jeeeel with the show. Of course, the debt of the old society was large, but it could be wiped off if they tried. Mr Parsons thought that the time should be inserted in the resolution, The last time the Society had been communicated with the reply had been left in the hands of Mr Booth, who, of course, replied unfavorably, MrT. E. Chamberlain moved as an amendment, That a Society for the North Wairarapa be now formed. Mr J, Vile seconJed the amendment, and thought it was their duty to carry out the wishes of the subscribers to the fund. He felt sure that if they started a Society it would prove a success, and if it was, he saw no reason why the Carterton show should fall through. They did not want to clash with' them. The chief objectors were the twelve gentlemen who had guaranteed the money. Mr Beetham said it would not be a matter of great difficulty to convince him that they would have a better, security for their money if ; the shows wero held in Masterton. Mr Parsons had no doubt the Society would be placed in a better position. He supported the proposal to send down delegates, Mr A, W. Hogg said a great deal of cold water had been thrown on a movement which would be of great benefit to thorn. Hp quite approved of the position taken up by Mr Lyons. Ho was astonished to think that whenever an attempt was made to establish a show for Masterton that they should have the Carterton spectre trotted out against them, They should not be deterred from supplying a great want to the place. They would actually do good by having two shows, and bringing them into competition. As long as the present Association was in a chronic state of bankruptcy they could never make it a success. He, for one, did not want to amalgamate with a bankrupt society, Mr Meredith replied that there was nothing further from his thoughts than to throw cold water on the movement; tliey simply desired to obtain a start on a fair footing,. Ho had no intention to withdraw under any circumstances,' but if they could have the showsheld in Masterton without treading on the corns of their friends in the' South, they should certainly do so. They should make the show, as great a success as possible. Mr Hawkins said lie believed the respective movers and seconders of the resolution and amendment had come to an understanding, As to what Mr Hogg had sa\4 about getting the South to bring up their wealth, that was exactly what they aimed at, in trying to shift the showground of the present Society, Mr Heron was sorry that Mr Hogg should have stirred up old grievances afresh. The resolution and amendment were then withdrawn. Mr Hawkins moved That an Association be formed, and that the executive committee shall confer, with the Wairarapa Pastoral Association with a view to bring about such an arrangement as may establish an agricultural and pastoral show in Masterton. Negotiations to be limited to three weeks, This was seconded by Mr Caselberg and carried. . The followinggentlemenwereappointed delegates to meet the Association Messrs Hawkins, Meredith, Caselberg,. T. E. Chamberlain and B. P. Perry. The meeting then adjourned,