THE FIRST DAY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 31 October 1912, Page 3

THE FIRST DAY.

A REOOHO GATHtRi^G. (By Our Own Reporter.) PALMERSTON N.. October 30. I Tt is fortunato for Pahnerston North [ that in tho infant days of its existence, I the destinies of its greatest of institui tiens wera entrusted to the caro of men |of bnck-bono and determination, and that tho settlers appointed as the representatives who w-cre to foster the A. I and P. Association movement, wero men | with faith in the future, and unalterablelin their opinions in tho faca of strenui ova opposition. Had it not been so, I Palmorston to-dny would probably not bo celebrating with its present eclat tho biggest annual show of the North Island. Somo of tho old pioneor.s in this Agricultural Show movement have passed into a- country where cattlo shows aro not supposed to exist, but tho footprints tho- left on tho sands of time, marked out a course to follow, and in ■advancing along this track tho officials of tho Manawntu A. and P. havo never had occasion to look backward with any regrets. Tt has really been a triumphant march, and this year another niche- in tho ladder of success has been made by tho eomuotit:on of stock from Auckland. This was rcaily brought about by tho mafnifiee-nt efforts of the Association's .secretary. Mr. W. T. Ponnv, who spent his vacation by doing hard graft among tho breeders of the North, and arranging for a special show stock team. The achievement is one worthy of {special mention, because the big forward movement is going to havo far-reaching effects in tho breeding of iho very best stock. "Good old Polly," that-used to win tho prizes in the dairying sections'., has had to tako a hack place, and in view of tho keenness of competition only tho very best story is now brought forward. Tho show of 1912, therefore, easily takes first place in tho history of tho Association, tho -entries proving a, record, whilst ihe quality of stock shown hi*> never boon eclipsed at Palmerston. This is probably duo to tho beautiful winter season and tho abundanco of fodder, hut whatever tho cause, there is no doubt that tho big exhibition opened to-day has outstripped its predecessors in point of magnitude and educational value. For this happy state- of affairs tho Association owes a- great deal to the development of tho country, which must go on wherever a section of the British raco havo mado their home, but duo weight must also be given to tho undeii'ablo s-ervieo tho country has received from tho State, tho employment of experts, tho importation of stock, and general encouragement, given to all who aro endeavouring to make- a living of? tho land hr.s had a marked effect in th-> building up of these A. and P. shows. Ono must also recognise tho cnerg^tin and whele-pou'ed work dorm by tho Association's President (Mr. Hoddor), committee, and secretary (Mr. Ponnv) for the=o gentlemen have laboured unceasingly and ungrudgingly to pro-mote tho interests of the .«hoiv so ■as to bring together tho finest collection of r^nresentativo entries ever.seen in tho ■North Island, and they are to bo congrr>tulated upiion tho great success fchieved.