CORRESPONDENCE Harticultural shows.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13361, 27 April 1911, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

Harticultural shows.

TO THE XDITOB. Sir,—Wanganui established a Horticultural Society 43 years ago. Just fancy, the first upon this coast! In those days we held very creditable Shows, but it is very grieving and lamentable to me that the quality and number of exhibits have so deteriorated year by year; in fact, tfiey have been retrograding for many yeafcs, but its retrogression has been more flagrant during the last few Shows. In the sixties I believe we had about 20 members at 10s, and each exhibit was charged 6d entrance. Then every exhibit was a credit to the grower, and keen interest was manifested by all concerned to try and make the Show a success. _ Ther hall wag always filled with enthusiastic spectators, but as years go by how things have changed? In those days we had Mr E. N. Liffiton as honorary secretary, and the Shows always proved a financial success. Now, sir, why has this retrograding state of horticulture come about? Fofty years ago the committee of the Society were selected men who possessed the necessary qualifications to grapple with the situation, and they worked hand and hand for the benefit and progress of the Society; hut, alas, there are few of them left to tell the tale., I don’t wish tS cast any slight upon the present committee, as I am sure they do their best, especially the president and secretary, and I believe they think the late Shows have been a success; but’ I regret to say they are not run upon proper lines to be a success. I understand the membership of the Society is between 400 and 500 at 6s, say 400 at ss, that is £IOO. The district from Waitotara to Wangaehu is also solicited for special prizes, which is a l.ig item in the prize lists. • With such an income as this the Wanganu Society should hold Shows second to none in the Dominion, as no donbt Wanganui is particularly favourable for the production of the finest flowers and fruit in New Zealand. Finer peaches and apples were grown in Wanganui this season than anything of the sort I have seen in Hawke’s Bay, but under the Tiresent system of carrying out the management of the Shows we have miserable starved Shows which are neither creditable to the exhibitor nor to tho Society. And until some radical change takes place in the regulations and rules, no better system may be anticipated.—l am, etc., OLD RESIDENT.