THE OTAGO AGRICULTURAL PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 4

THE OTAGO AGRICULTURAL PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

A SUCCESSFUL SOCIETY'S STEADY PROGRESS. Annual meetings of agricultural and pastoral societies do not as a rule appeal to a wide circle of readers. Those whose associations lie in the towns insensibly form an impression that rural interests are separate from their own. A moment's reflection, however, ought to dispel this illusion, which, however excusable it might be in a city like London, where there are grown men who have never seen a field nor been brought into contact with rural matters, is entirely inexcusable in tbe colonies, where the 'relation between the producing and the distributing interests exists in its elementary form. It is a favourite common-place among farmers when they are in the mood to magnify their own calling that everything necessary to the sustenance of mankind comes from the earth, and that therefore the whole superstructure of society rests upon the producer. A com-mon-place is something that is self-evi-dent and familiar to everybody. And yet how few realise that were it not for the producing interests Dunedin would have no importance. It might be a fishing village, or at most a depot for the shipment of , wool, but all its places of business, all its retail establishments, all its factories, own their existence to the productions of the land. We would not minimise the importance of the mining industry, which contributes its share to the business of the towns, but it needs only momentary consideration to decide that if Otago were called upon to sacrifice one of the two great interests to which the province owes its position, it would not be the farming interest which would cease. In view of these considerations the neglect and coldness which have been for many years the lot of organisations especially devised to further rural interests are inexplicable. We have just seen that the show in Wellington will have to be abandoned because the Wellington business people are too short-sighted to recognise that the present and future position of their city is largely owing to the development of the farming industry on the west coast of the North Island. Wo find provincial .shows languishing because the townspeople do not see that their business is caused entirely by farming.

An honourable and special exception must bo made in favour of Dunedin and the Olago -Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which of late years has sprung into renewed activity, and which lias entered upon a career of usefulness certain to bring forth good fruit in the near future. Its farm competitions, field turnip competitions, winter show, etc., have boon added to the ordinary summer sUoWj and assist in maintaining interest

in such matters all through the year. The annual meeting, held on Friday last, afforded an illustration of the interest taken in the society. There were close on 80 members present, while in former years a quorum was frequently obtained with difficulty. The positions on the committee are eagerly sought, there being 19 nominations to fill 12 vacancies. The indebtedness of the society has diminished from £4227 in 1894 to £1806, a sum of £1662 Is having been paid off the debenture account during the year. Nor has this been accomplished by parsimoniously refraining from expenditure. On the contrary, largo sums have been expended on the improvement of Tahuna Park. " Indications, therefore, point to the practical certainty that in a year or two the society will be in possession of a perfectly equipped show ground and will be entirely free from the debt which for many years paralysed its efforts. When it is added that ere many years have passed the society will have handed to it free of charge the splendid pile of buildings in Crawford street, it will be admitted that its position is very creditable and most encouraging, and we are among those who look to it to become the acknowledged representative and accepted leader of tho agricultural interest of Otago.

At the annual meeting on Friday last a number of suggestions calculated ti; promote tho welfare of tho society were put forward. One of these emanated from the chairman, and was to tho effect that the annual meeting should be her.l in winter show week. The advantages of such a course ai*e so obvious that it is remarkable that it has not been suggested before. If the members who attend the show were given the opportunity of attending the annual meeting, the immediate effect would be Ihe creation of a widespread personal interest in the business of the society, and this would be much enhanced if members and their friends were induced to mingle in social intercour&e on the same occasion. To hold the annual meeting in June might involve some changes in matters of office detail, but that would be all. The society's year could terminate as well on May 31, or, for the matter of that, on April 30, as on June 30. Another suggestion put forward by Mr Shiel vrxs the combination of an exhibition of fat stock with the winter show. It was with such an exhibition that the society commenced its existence in 187 G. But that exhibition was in the Christmas season. If the farmers of Otago can produce an exhibition of fat stock in June, when it is almost mid-winter, as no doubt they can, what an advertisement would be given to the province and tho colony ! It lias been further suggested that the fat sheep in the classes set apart for animals suitable for refrigerating a_J export purposes should be judged at Home. The system at present in vogae is to award the prize to the animals best suited, in the opinion of local judges, for refrigerating purposes. The system suggested would iudieate by actual results the animals which best survived cue practical test after refrigeration and export, and if there were supplied with the exhibit all available particulars as to breeding and treatment, the verdict could not fail to be advantageous to the trade of breeding and preparing sheep for export. There may be technical difficulties in the way, but no doubt these could be overcome, and the suggestion is worthy of a trial in view of the possibilities it contains. Another matter which must engage the early attention of the society i^ that of connecting Tahuna Park with thu railway. A line of a very few chains in length would bring the park into connection with the Ocean Beach railway, and we feel sure the small outlay would be handsomely returned from the larger number of visitors who would be induced to attend if they could step from a railway carriage on to the ground. Tho additional facilities given to exhibitors would also be highly prized.

From the foregoing outline of the society's proceedings and aspirations wo submit that we are justified in eulogising its energy and capability. It is true that one of the features of its annual syllabus — the ram and ewe fair — has steadily degenerated. This is chiefly because breeders of sheep are still labouring under the hallucination from which breeders of horses have lately awakened. What farmers ought to know is the best type of animal likely to produce :hc desired results. The days of the entire horse not worth a five-pound note are about numbered, and when sheepbreeders awake to tho fact that something more is necessary than a mere percentage of lambs, tl-o ram and ewe fair will have real value. Meanwhile the society should take to heart the words of Mr Ritchie. They should not bo disheartened by failure. The members should strive, as we believe they will, to keeg ujj the interest in their work, and

we believe that success of the most taif» gible and gratifying kind will be the ?&.-* ward of their labours.