AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8747, 22 December 1896, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

To the Editor of the Colonist.

Sib,— ln yoar Thursday's issue I no'.ioa that the Committee of the above Association decided a certain case in which there has been eorre dispute, and upon this matter, with your permission, I would like to say a few words. In the first place, it is not my wish t) insinuate that the Committee desired to act unfairly, bet I do contend that they have given a wrong decision* The Association offerei Of rtaia prizes under the head of " Domestic Produce " and speoial prizes were offered for the greatest number of points, in the aggregate, gained in these classes. Clearly there oould ba no doubt that the intention was th*t these prizes should fall to the household or farm, ho well managed and worked as to ba able to make the best a'l round display. If el certain that it was never intended te allow any exhibitor to supplement the deficiencies of bis farm by going to the Btjre or factory and purchasing goods for exhib tioo and oompetion in olasses in wh'ch otherwise he wou d not be represented, I am quite well aware that in previ .us jea-s faotory owners have exhibited in the doaßest c prcdace seotion, but that ia not djne now for competition, and a faotory owner wou'd almost absolutely be preoladed from gaining an aggregate prize through ii abi i y to exhibit io the better, cheese, bread and o her c asses, unless he arranged to bay up exhibits from a auffioient number of private person? to bett9r his chances. Th a course must be opposed to the whole spirit of the Association, and simply means that the perEoa with the longest pockat can, by buying up exhibit?, seaor^ a prize whioh is intended to eccouiage all round excellence of the individual farm. If this matter is not put on a better foo'ing before next prize list is ißtU3d, thtrd wiil be little competition in this Bection, which so far has been one of the most poptTar. As a weli wisher of the j Association, I hope 'his may not come to pass. Yours etc., Exhibitor.