THE CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8187, 1 June 1892, Page 3

THE CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

TO TRK EDITOK OF THE PRESS. Sir, —Mr A. D. McDraith hit the right nail on the head when he told the above Association that they were paying too much attention to trotting and jumping at their shows to the consequent neglect of the objects for which, we may take it for granted, the Association was formed to j promote, namely, for the education of our farmers, old and young, in all profitable farming. At present the principal object seems to be to create an enormous j hippodrome from the raised seats I around which the spectators can witness! the equestrian sports and pageants. ! Many are dissatisfied with the sporting proclivities of the management, and think that the exhibitions, as a whole, are likely to do more harm than good to the coming genera-' tion of farmers. j Of course, it is a grand thing to have big gate money, and also exceedingly pleasant !to depend on meeting almost all one's friends from all parts of the country, whether farmers proper or only sight-seers. Still I think that the sporting part is made too prominent. I, myself, take as much pleasure as any child in a good circus or Wild West Show; but I do not consider that the shilling paid does much good to agriculture. What good would it do to the farmer or farming if all the Governors that ever ruled New Zealand were there to view the equestrian contests and chariot races. Of all the Governors who ever visited our chow the Marquis of Normanby showed the truest appreciation of the object that should be kept in view, for when met by the President and asked what he would like to be taken to first, he said, with the greatest good sense, "I should like to see the pigs. s, —Youra, &c, M.C.A.P.A;