TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9067, 10 November 1909, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

A letter iii to-day's issue from a correspondent will, we arc sure, The be read with interest by all Library, thoughtful, people in the town. The writer takes tho opportunity of pointing out the need of an up-to-date library for-Falmerston and stresses the- fact that it is not so much the appearance of the library as its contents that affect, the well-being of tho community. Hitherto there has been a good deal said in Palmcrston on the question of ornamentation. With some people the size and appearance of the building exercises the greatest influence, I but what appeals most to the reader and thinker is tho quality of the literature available. Our correspondent makes a wise remark when he observes that a public library should be one the educating agencies of the town," and if • that condition were fulfilled it would be unnecessary for him to emphasise tho fact that "one of .the most valuable assets the community can have is the possession of trained brains on tho part oi its members." Had the proposal put before the ratepayers some time ago to improve the present building been carried it would have been a great factor in the improvement of the present library. but- a majority decided otherwise, and the library is what it has always been in Palmcrston —an institution which does not do credit to the town, and of which tho community has no cause to feel proud. Owing to tho recent Government instruction with regard to Veterinary Civil Servants giving inInspection. formation to the press we are unable to supply expert opinions on the question of tho veterinary examination of sire horses at tho Show, despite tho fact that the system, as far as it applies to A. and P. Associations, was on its trial. However, sufficient was gleaned to enable it to be stated that tho idea of examining horses for hereditary unsoundness worked out excellently both from a veterinarian's point of view and from that of the exhibitor, whilst at the same time one or two surprising results were arrived at. A discreet silence was observed as to tho nature of all examinations, and only those owners who received awards know, and that by inference, that their horses are quite free from any "hereditary taint. If the full benefit of veterinary inspection is to be gained it is essential, of course, that somo such schcmo as that propounded by Mr Roakes at tho Agricultural Conference must be adopted. Mr R-eakes pro- ' vided for the prohibition from use of all horses that wore likely to exert a baneful influenco upon tho New Zealand standard, and this elimination of the unfit was to bo done in a gradual manner that would causo no hardship to owners. Reverting to the Show, it may bo here pointed out that if veterinary inspection is continued noxt year it will be necessary to do tho work on the first day and leave tho'second day free forjudging in tho ring. On the present occasion siro horses were in the hands of the surgeons for some time, during which they wore also required in tho show ring, with the result that judging was considerably delayed. That is, however, a matter that can easily be put right next year. Whilst referring to the horse department of the Show it may not ® Facing be out of place to refer to the a matter which causcd some Judge, slight disappointment. This year the arrangements in connection with tho massing of classes prior to entering the ring for judging_ were not carried out so effectively as in the past, and at least two instances occurred of oompctitors missing their classes and not being judged. It was ascertained this was duo to there being only two officials appointed to marshal exhibitors and as some exhibits were engaged in both hack and harness events and were consequently stationed at different ends of the horse paddock some of them were missed. Again oompctitors arrived in the ring one at a time instead of, as in tho past, making an imposing entry all together. Those incidents are merely, details in careful management; but their non-obsorvanco detracts from efficiency and in any ease exhibitors naturally object to being left out of a class through no fault of their own. We might add that we havo been asked to express the appreciation of several visiting exhibitors as to the work of the indefatigable President, Mr S. R. Lancaster. From Monday of Show week till Saturday night Mr Lancaster gave himself up with tho great assiduity to the work of the Association, to say nothing of all the preparatory arrangements. Practically all stock arriving and departing was supervised by Mr Lancaster and for this alone he has won the esteem of owners and particularly those from a distance. Wo should also say a fewwords in praise of the hard-working secretary, Mr J. C. Lane. It Js a wellknown fact, that, Mr Lane is one of the most capablo Show secretaries in the Dominion, and the painstaking, efficient and unostentatious manner in which he discharges his duties earns the warm commendation of all who are broujrht in contact with the Association. The Association is. as we havo pointed out before, decidedly fortunate in its officers and can ascribe much of its success and nearly its popularity to their care and attention.