A PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 547, 20 November 1875, Page 3

A PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

It is vrfth no little satisfaction it will be learned that the active friends of Waikuto in Auckland, are leav ing <ao stone unturned to advance the prospects and progress of the dfstriet, A. meeting has been held in Auckland, at which Messrs Firth, Morrin, and other leading and influential -citizens were present, when it was arranged to iform a Provincial Agricultural Association, and a committee, to carry oat the ohjecfc of the promoters, was appointed. The shows are to be held alternately at El!erBlie and at Hamilton, by which arrangement it was hoped to -secnre the active co-operation of the Waikato settlers in the proposed movement A very full, and no donbt cordial support will be afforded .from all parts <of the "Waikato, the lands of which can raise stock and produce that will compare favourably with •that of any other and many much older established districts in the Province. Tho holding of an annual Exhibition of farm stock and produce in any part of Waikato, and tfhe monthly meetings which are held in connection with these Associations will tend much to link together the scattered settlements by bringing their residents into closer and more frequent, intercourse, and will create a wholesome emulation in the growth of produce, and an interchange of viewi and experiences which cannot but be most 'desirable. Even though no attempt be made .to straj from the beaten path of agriculture, and i;he -energies of our settlers are stitf directed to *the raising of stook and ordinary farm crops instead of towards the cv - tare of which are f*r more vitliable, and which might perhaps be attempted with .advantage with a climata such as tlus — even in the old track much money is "ill spent, thrown away almost, in unsuccessful settlement for want of knowledge and ♦tho experience from which might.be learned the adaptation of old world ;prooedure, »te >bhe varying requirements of a new soil aud olimate. The establishment of Associations of the kind proposed does-much to nemove sucka state of things, and will at least, serve as a centre from which may be organised further efforts in .that direction. A Committee to car-ry out the organisation of the new Association was appointed and it was proposed ta make the ■ annual fee of membership 'five guineas, or a donation of one hundred guineas entitle the donor to life membership. Jt was thought, hpwever, that the sums mentioned were unnecessarily high, and finally i life membership was made contingent on •a donation of fifty guineas and tbe fee for annual membership fixed at two guineas.