OTAGO A.AND P. SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2206, 11 June 1896, Page 20A (Supplement)

OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

WINTER SHOW. President, Mr John Roberts, C.M.G. ; vicepresident, Mr James Smith, jiio. ; hon. treasurer, Mr Jqjin Angus ; consulting chemist and botau'io»l specialist, Professor James G. Black, M.A., D.So. ; hon. veterinary surgeons— Messrs J. A. Gilruth, M.R.0.V.5., A. Hamilton, M.R.0.V.8., and S. S. Cameron, M.R.0.V.5. ; hon. auditor, Mr Thorns* Cillender: General Committee - Messr* Joseph Allan, David Bacon, Thos. Brydone, Robt. Campbell, Robt. Charters, James Duthie, Hon. T. JFergua, Messrs Robt. Gawn, James Gow, Wm, Jaffray, A. M'ifarlane, Wm. Patrick, Pat. Pattullo, 0. S. Reid, James Shiel, Mark Sinclair, J. JL Stewart, W. Souter, W. 0. Smith, W. D. Stewart, A. 0. Stronach, W. H. Twgart, Andrew Todd, John Wright ; secretary, Mr Ed. F. Duthie.

The, winter shot? of the Ofcag o Agricultural and Pastoral Society has passed the experimental stage, although the present is only the third annual exhibition which the association . taa held of dairy produce, hams and bacou, graiD, seeds, roods, and exhibits appropriate to inch an oco&sion. The success of the two previous winter shows exceeded the most sanguine 'expectations of those who' have had the management of the affairs of the society entrusted to them, and no one who has any knowledge of the subject can doubt that the success which attended those shows was not merely due io the faot of their novelty. So unquestionable is it, indeed, that the winter allow ,hai, in the language of our American cousins, "oojne to stay," that the example which was set in 1891 by the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Sooiety has now been followed' From the north to the south of this island, and it may be only a question of time when the shows of dairy produce, grain, seeds,, and root products— independent' as they are of oar variable clinmte— may rival in attractiveness the annual shows of stock and implement?, wh<ch are patronised by thousands in the spring months. It is repeating an old story to say that, though its establishment has been so recent that it can hardly be said yet that the novelty has worn off it, the winter' show of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Socie.ty has outgrown the .accommodation that the city was able to provide for it, and that to enable the society to meet the demands for •pace made upon it by would-be exhibitors -the necessity of erecting a suitable hall for the purposes of the show had during the past 12 months to be faced ; and by a happy coincidence the function .of laying the foundation stone of that building took place on the day on which the last winter show that 3b to be held ia the Garrison Hall was opened. This year the society was -obliged to refuse numerous applications for space which were made by firms and manufacturers whose exhibits could not' be regarded as coming witbiu the category of dairy or agricultural produce, bub with the increased space that will be available next year it m&y be expected that the corresponding show under the society's auspices will " lie an exceptionally imposing and interesting exhibition. It is not for ua, however, to anticipate'what may occur 12 months hence. The society is at the present time to be congratulated upon the fact that the efforts ot its comroitrfcpe find officers have - once again bean ciowned with 'success* In the ' opinion of experts the ' display of products that is made this' year shows a marked advance upon that which was made last year. In some classes, indeed, it does not require the eye of an export to discern that there has been such an advauce. There are various methods, no doubt, by which one may measure the degree of advance that is made, but one which is perhaps as trustworthy a* can ba deeired is that of the exhibitor who, accepting one of the most important classes as a criterion of tbe others, declares that while last year he secured 10 first prizes with exhibits that are not better than tho*e he has sent in thia year,, he has now to be content with seven pink tickets, and he regards the judging this year to be as satisfactory as it ■was 12 months ago. The arrangements for th« show were a* complete as anyone could wish for — that was only to be expected from the indefatigable seoretary and' his hard- < working assistants, — and the judging was concluded with praiseworthy despatch. The committee had secured the services of experts as judges, against whose decision there could be no cavil ; and the attending stewards were mostly young and active men, and were all men of business habits, who accurately recorded the decisions that were arrived at ia the various competitions. The attendance during the afternoon was very nnmerous ; and in the evening, when the pretence of the Garrison Band tended to enliven the proceedings, the .ball was crowded with' people. The building was lighted by electricity, the light working satisfactorily. ' , THE OPENING CEREMONY. The ceremony of opening the show was fixed for* 2 o'clock, at. which time a considerable number of visitors were in the Garrison Hall, .and punctually to the hour appointed it was performed. In the regrettable absence of the president of the society (Mr John Roberts), who was preventd by illness from attending, Mr James Smith, jun., occupied the chair, and he was supported on the platform by, amongst others, Messrs J. Allen, M.H.R., T. Msckenzie, M H.R., W. Frarer, M.HR., J. D. Ritchie (secretary of the Department of -dgricultnre), T. Brydone, A. C. Begg, J. R Scott, W Patrick, J. Shiel, G. H. Gilroy, D. Bacon, D. MacDoaald, W. Jaffray, W. Cuningham Smith, M. Sinclair, W. Soafcer, A. M'Fdriane, A C. Stronach, R. Chatters, W. D. .Stewart, C. S. Reeves, George Roberts, and E. F. Duthie. Mr J. Allen, M.H.R., said: My position here to-day is due to the unfortunate circumstance that the Hon. Mr M'Eeozie is unable through sickness to be present to open this show. Mr M'Kenzie telegraphs: "I regcet that owing to the state of my health it will ba impossible for me to travel south at present, baying been confined to my house since my return from Auckland. It will therefore be impossible for me to be present at the laying of the foundation stone of your hall. I can only express my regret at my inability to be present on so important an occasion. Kindly apologise for my abseisce." I may say with confidence that we too regret the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie's absence, and still more the cause of it, because he'has at all times exhibited a lively interest in. those great industries of which we see so many interesting examples here to-day, and I know he will feel much disappointment at not being able to.be present. It, has devolved upon me, therefore, to presently declare this winter ehpw open ; and I feel it a very high honour indeed to bs- in a position to ask you to look, with justifiable pride, npon the various exhibits gathered here, and -to dwell upon the facb that, though oar existence' as a- colony is eompara-". lively a short one, yet so much has been done' to make our products so varied and so excellent. Many have by nature' a* particularly warm side foe. -mining and manufactures, and there is a fascination - abaut the former which lures j pne often to actions which may cause regret ; j rat ia • taratifally productive country like

this it would be well if even more of oar people could find, their delight and opportunity for the employment of their abilities and cash in the cultivation- and growth of such things as we gee here to-day. It may be said of colonies like ours th»b mining has done much to. lay the foundation ; bub the solid supergtmcture, tbe monument that will endure, is certainly represented by the growth of tho agricultural and pastoral pursuit!, which, after all, are of more permanent value even ia pousds, shillings, and pence, and certainly of much more importance in their effect upon tbe national character, than all the wealth our mines can produce.— (He*r.) It is, then, to help tbis growth that the OUgo Agricultural «nd Pastoral ISooiftty hai established these winter shows. Here all may come and see the evidences of what a fertile laud we live in. Here may be noted what has already been done, and here encouragement will be given to everyone interested to continue the good work, and year by year improve upon it. A walk around tbe exhibits will be a lesson in itself. The lectures whioh will be given will point the way to further progftS3— discugsions that will j help to remove obstaoles and point out difficulI ties to be solved. It ia a noble work, and I every colonist is interested. Lot not then this show be only for those particularly engaged in agriculture, but let everyone come, and show by their attendance and sympathy that they desire to help it on. Only three short "years ago the society established th^so winter shows, and it is promising to be able to say that year by year they have been more and more successful. — (Hoar.) I take this opportunity to thank the' society for the eff >rts they have made, and more particularly the directors and the energetic secretary. It is well known to many how muoh .labour and thought has been given both by the directors and Mr Duthie (the secretary), and they may justly feel proud that they have made a great success of their winter show. — (Hoar.) Nor is it right to pass over those other efforts in the shape of farm competitions, manure tests, and turnip competitions which have been made by the society for the improvement of farm produce in Otago. Last, but not least, our thanks are due to those who have taken advantage of the opportunities here offered for improvement, and to those who generously support the show by sending such exhibits as are in this building to-day. Tea short minutes at the outside are all allowed me to-day in declaring this show open, and it is therefore impossible to give yon statistics of the increase in the numbsr of exhibits. It is sufficient to. say that year by .year there h%s been a considerable increase, and that the necessity for further space has become so urgent that the sooiety has determined to constiuct mora suitable premises, the laying of the foundation stone of which you are all cordially invited to at 230 to-day. Next year, therefore, we may hope to see the exhibits shown to better advantage, and no doubt; both exhibitors and sight-seers will be better pleased. In days gone by, when agriculture and commerce had not laid to deep a hold of the people, when their energies were put forth for conquest, when the military state was the then highest type, the patriot was wont to take pride in such expressions as " Civis Bomanus sum." Happily, and especially for us English-speaking people, we have passed into a new era, and though at times of national danger we would e+ttl take pride in our nationality, and would no doubt do our best to protect it, jot when all is going well, and no outside foe threatens us, the expression " I am a good British farmer " would most truly represent that of which we were most proud. — (Hear.) I put iv the word " good," because even amongst ourselves there are farmers and farmers. Such shows ai thia surely will do something to draw them all into the one olass ; and if so, then it is not too much to say that they are better instruments in creating the , best New Zealauder even than Parliament itself.— (A laugh.) I have, therefore, in conclusion, to ask for a generous support to the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Sooiety ; that every encouragement should be given to it by the oitizens of Dunedin ; that the farmers in Otago should continue their loyal aid, in their own iotereats, and in the interests of this portion of New Zealand. And whiht once again recognising the arduous, duties of the directors and secretary, I have specially to thank them for the opportunity given me to-day to publicly express my great interest in the work, and finally to declare the winter show of 1896 open.— (Applause.) The proceedings in connection with the opening of the show were not further prolonged, many of those present leaving at once for the scene of the laying of the foundation stone of the Agricultural Hall,