A WINTER SHOW.

Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 67, 16 September 1899, Page 4

A WINTER SHOW.

On moao than one occasion since the much-lo-be-'doi)lor«cl demise of the Wellington Agricultural Socioty we have urged the organisation of an annual Winter Show upon the lines of those now regularly held in Dunedin and Christchurch with such conspicuous . and financial success, and co greatly to the profit, pleasure, and advantage nab only of the agriculturists who are in tho main tho exhibitors, but to the mass of the sight-seeing public. By reason of tho indifference and lack of enterprise among our business men, and the thriftiness and lack of public spirit among the wealthy of our citizens, tie Agricultural Association was permitted to fall to ruin for lack of funds. fcSnort-sighted negligence and parsimony on the part of those in the community from whom the managers of that Society had the right to look lor monetary aid destroyed an organise tion that, had it survived, would in no long time have made the Wellington live slock show — after Canterbury — the first iv importance and attibractivenesa in the colony. However, the supine City missed its opportunity, and the chief convincing ground of the stock owner of the North Island and the exhibitor from the South will in future bo at Pulmerston, whereas it. might, ami ought to havo been, at Wellington. Now we learn that a movement is afoot to hold an annual Winter Show of agricultural products and manufactures here ; but already, having in mit d, no doubt, our pant ineptitude in such matters, some of the country centres aro putting in claims for preference over the City. Are we to let our opportunity go by default, or will those of our citizens who can And ought to support such an admirable enterprise respond with such promptness and liberality as shall ensure success? It is proposed, then, to invite in the city ana the province financial aid and widespread membership to a new Agri- , cultural Society, having for its primary object tho holding of a winter show, similar to those annually held at Dunodin and Christchurch. The Wellington Exhibition would bo held about the end of June, and after thoso of tho South Island. Speaking generally, the display — most of which would be under coverwould consist of dairy produce, root crops, and food and clothing stuffs of all kuids, both raw und manufactured. To these, according to fncilities of space, would bo added .igricultural appliances and 'implements. There is a wide range hero that would cover a multitude of exhibits, and all of them portainrng to the industry thut is tho backbone of the country. For tho first show it is suggested that tho Drill Shed, with necessary anuexes, might woll servo the purpose, but later it is proposed that effort be mndo to create a permanent home for the socioty, an exhibition building thut, as ut Dunedin, would be largely used for ordinary public purposes. Such v building could easily do designed to servo as a concort hall, to which, no doubt, the music loving among the citizens would quickly add v (suitable organ. If a central site could be secured on favourable terms, the bulk of the capital could be raised by making every subscriber of, say, ono pound the holder of a share in a joint stock company. For site, if tho Mayor can see his way to hand over a portion of tho Reclaimed Land to a philanthropic society for purposes of a "Home," how much more likely would Iho municipality bo to find on easy terms a fixed and central abiding place for a progressive agricultural society? We hope soon to hear that this sound and in every way desirable project is fairly launched, and wo confidently appeal to our fellow-citizen 3to give it v. favourable reception.