The A. and P. Association.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3899, 29 August 1891, Page 2

The A. and P. Association.

[to the bditob.] Sib,—Your local in yesterday's is* sue of the Dailt, intimating that Mr John McLean is to be requested to act as referee in the judging of stallions at the forthcoming Show of the Masterton A. and P. Association, may create a wrong impression upon tha minds of intending exhibitors, if Mr McLean accedes to the request of the. Association, his duty will be to decide as to hereditary unsoundness of any horse in any class, providing the judges should differ in their opinion upon the matter, but not to act as referee in the judging. If Mr McLean's services are required by the judges, it will be in his professional capacity as a Veterinary Surgeon only. While upon this subject of Agricultural Shews, you will excuse me for referring to your leader of yesterday upon the subject, which, to my mind, contains erroneous statements as to the general character of the Wairarapa shows, unwarranted insinuations ajJ£ the exhibits, and an altogethef tRK' - leading comparison with other shows of the North Island. The Wairarapa shows for some years past have brought out stock of an exceptional quality, and fit for any metropolitan show in New Zealand, especially in sheep and cattle, and as to miscellaneous exhibits quite on a par or superior- to the other shows of the North Island. As to your insinuation about the same animal being exhibited year after year, even if your statement were true, there is nothing in that fact derogatory; so long as the excel* lence of that animal remains unsurpassed it would be a positive loss to the community to keep him away. The only olass of exhibit to which your objection has any application here is that of fat bullocks, which are sometimes shown as 8 year olds, and then again as 4 year olds or aged, but this, Sir, is no objection, but on the contrary a decided advantage, as anyone familiaf with stock exhibition, well knows. respect to your unfavorable comparison with the Manawatu Show, you are writing without a knowledge of the facts. I have attended every show held there and I am quite certain that the Wairarapa Shows are as many points ahead of the Manawatu in some classes as they are ahead of us in others, and as a whole no Judge would 1 uphold your condemning comparison. Allow me further to suggest that 1 ridicule Is not the weapon to use if yon are anxious to assist the settlers in arriving at a solution of tho difficulties 1 attending the proposed amalgamationi I am etc.,

Wh. Lowis.