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[ Enclosure C .! 
MEMORANDUM BY Mr. CURTIS. 
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS. 
I 
U Experience lias proved that no one of the Settlements or Native States is equal to 
maintaining an annual Agricultural Show or Exhibition on sufficiently comprehensive lines to 
he of great educational value, and as healthy competition can only be induced by holding 
those shows at regular intervals, the time and place being made known a considerable time in 
advance, my idea is that one good show might be held every year by combining forces and 
taking in rotation one of the five principal towns in the Colony and Federated Malay States- - 
viz., Singapore, Penang, Malacca, Taiping (or Xpoh) and Kuala Lumpur. There is, however, 
no reason why other places in the Federated Malay States should not be included later, if the 
local authorities are desirous, and willing to guarantee a sufficient sum towards the expenses. 
2. The first step towards the carrying out of this scheme is, in my opinion, the forma¬ 
tion of an Agricultural Committee, consisting of, say, three persons in each of the places in 
which it is proposed to hold these shows. 
This Committee should be nominated each year by His Excellency the Governor and be a 
standing one. In the years in which the meeting is not being held in the Settlement or 
State for which they are nominated the members of this Committee wall act as agents in 
disseminating information, prize lists, etc., and in collecting and forwarding exhibits to the 
Settlement or State in which the show is being held, and, if possible, be present at the show. 
The three in the Settlement or State in which it is decided to hold the show will, of course, 
undertake the organisation of local Committees and sub-Committees for the raising of 
subscriptions, providing necessary buildings and all other arrangements in the same way as 
has hitherto been done. 
4. The standing Committee should, I think, decide on the order and the date on which 
the shows should be held and supervise the preparation and issue of prize lists. 
5. For the first time the determination of the place in which the show is to be held 
could probably be done by correspondence, but at the first meeting, and at all subsequent 
meeting's, arrangements should be made for the ensuing year. 
6. Some alteration as regards the period during which past shows have been kept open 
is absolutely necessary. Two days is inadequate, and as the expenses are very little more for 
four days than two I suggest four. This will allow the judging being done in a more 
satisfactory manner and afford opportunities for all classes of the community to examine at 
greater leisure the articles that are brought together. It would also afford time for the 
reading of papers, and discussions on subjects affecting agriculture somewhat on the lines; 
of the Agricultural Conference in the \\ est Indies, and I think no better time could lie 
chosen for this purpose. I am not sure as to being able to keep the show open for four 
days, probably three would be enough. 
(. Exhibits might be classed under the following heads, which would practically cover 
the ground:— 
(i.) Agriculture — Live Stock, Produce, etc., Agricultural Machinery; 
(ii.) Horticulture — Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers; 
(iii.) Manufactures — Native and others; 
(iv.) Works of Art -Pottery, Pictures, etc. 
a Govei nment ^iant, supplemented by local subscriptions and gate 
money, there should be no difficulty in raising funds and in getting together a good collection 
of educational value. The local subscriptions, as well as the expenses, would vary very much 
in different places, so that possibly a good deal of help might be required at times from the 
Government. 
The cost of transport would, in the majority of cases, be paid by the Committee, but this 
is not a serious item, as the steamship companies and railways will no doubt undertake the 
carriage of exhibits at. nominal rates. Trade exhibits, such as machinery, etc., would of course 
be paid for by the exhibitor. Important points are that the date of these shows should lie 
fixed at least a year in advance, and prize lists issued at least nine months before the date of 
the show. It should also be well advertised and kept before the public by means of the 
Bulletin and local papers. 
This is roughly an outline of the ideas I had in my mind when writing the letter to which 
vou refer. 
13-8-02. 
C. CURTIS. 
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