SHOW GROUND DEBT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10894, 8 October 1913, Page 6

SHOW GROUND DEBT.

STATEMENT OF THE POSITION AND AN APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE. £2293~TVANTED. At the meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day, Mr M. Murphy made a statement with reference, to the campaign to abolish the debt on the Association's Show Ground, which was started, by an offer by a member to make a donation of a large amount providing the balance of the money required to pay off the debt was secured.

"Three years'ago I drew the attention of members to the fact that the jubilee of the Association -would take place in 1913," said Mr Murphy, " and suggested that paying off the mortgage under which the Association has laboured for tli o last twenty-six years would be an appropriate way of celebrating its jubilee year free of debt, and would bo a fitting recognition of the many years of prosperity which the farming community has enjoyed. "No one can deny that our Association, like all other similar institutions, has played and is still playing an important part in building up the agricultural and pastoral industries of Canterbury. The improvement of stock of all lands is largely due to our annual shows, where breeders and importers meet m friendly rivalry. At our last annual meeting Mr John Deans referred to the extinction of the mortgage, advocating an active canvass. The suggestion was favourably received, and members were circularised, resulting in the promise of several substantial donations. But it is well to remember that some of the largest amounts have been promised on the understanding that the whole amount required should bo subscribed before the end of the current vear.

'•' If the coming show could be held with the mortgage paid off, then indeed there would bo good cause for jubilation over our jubilee show. Comparisons are said to he odious, but they sometimes serve a. good purpose.

" That our Association is not singular in calling upon its members and others to place it upon better commercial lines, is borne out by the following facts:—lnvercargill has raised £9OOO, with littlo apparent difficulty, for the acquirement of a new show ground; Dimediu had no difficulty m raising sufficient funds to rebuild its Agricultural Hall which had been destroyed by fire—indeed, it may be said that more than the amount required was forthcoming practically before the embers of the late building had cooled down; .again. Masterton acquired its present magnificent STdway Grounds by the energy of a few progressive members ; Pahnerston North-—the liberality of its members is proverbial.

"I feel .sure that Canterbury will not bo less generous concerning the wants of its own Association. I have no doubt- but that the- required amount will lie forthcoming at the prescribed time. But what I want to urge, and T know I am voicing the wishes of a large number of our members, is that we may be in a position to hold o\ir jubilee show free of debt. The sums donated to date amount to £2507. leaving a balance still to collect of £2293. Surely this can be done within the next three weeks."

The chairman of the- meeting (Mr J. 0. N. Grigs) said that Mr Murphy's remarks were to the point, aud everything ho had said was correct. It would bo a. disgrace to tho Association, situated in the midst of a. prosperous farming community, if the debt was allowed to continue. He had anticipated that when the campaign was started farmers would send donations in without being asked, but though don.*tions had been received from as far south as Waitaki, there were mau.T farmers nearer Christchurch who had not given anything.