PASTORAL AND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume V, Issue 156, 24 November 1866, Page 3

PASTORAL AND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS.

[From the Wanganui Times.]

We extract and abreviate from the Timaru Herald, of the 31st ult., part of a report of the first annual exhibition of stock by the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Timaru, as compared with Wanganui, is a small place, but is making* steady progress, and promises to take a leading position m the Canterbury province. The principal objection raised here to the formation of an Agricultural and Pastoral Association is based upon the failure of an association of the kind started some years ago. The anecdote of Bruce and the spider might be profitably pondered over when reflecting upon failures of that kind. The population and stock m these districts have greatly increased within the last few years, and the best means of improving the various kinds of stock is a subject of the utmost importance to all classes of the community. As regards support, the primary question is, can a sufficient number of influential subscribers be obtained throughout the districts willing to pay one guinea each per annum towards the object ? Then the Committee would require an eflicient Secretary, a man of thorough practical experience m both pastoral and agricultural pursuits, and the time which he would require to devote to the business of the Association could hardly be expected to be given gratuitously. Again, at least seven acres of land must be either leased or obtained from the Provincial Government, and fenced m for show yards. This, we believe, is a fair way ol putting the difficulty and showing the debit side of the account. Although several owners of stock would gladly avail themselves of the opportunity to exhibit, yet to obtain a large number of exhibitors liberal prizes must be offered. The income of the association would depend upon the annual subscriptions and admission fees. We observe that the fees received at the Timaru exhibition amounted to £26, which was a very encouraging amount for the first year. The committee of that association ordered the secretary to have the enclosed land ploughed up after the exhibition, or rented for the season to the best advantage. No doubt a considerable number of visitors would be attracted from other places, and both town and country would materially benefit by their presence. During the approaching race week there will be a considerable number of country settlers m town, and we recommend the subject to their serious consideration. All would depend upon the number of persons who would heartily unite m carrying out the object, and we know of no better time to discuss the subject than during the annual race days, when a greater number of those engaged m pastoral and agricultural pursuits will meet together, than upon any other occasion throughout the year.