TO DROP SHOW?

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 185, 20 May 1941, Page 6

TO DROP SHOW?

DISCUSSION IN ASHBURTON. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. YOUNGER JUDGES WANTED. The appointment of committees was made at a. meeting of the General Committee of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association this afternoon, when the president (\Mr R. A. Oakley) presided over a good attendance. The committees Were as follow: Sheep and Ram Fair—Alessrs R. J. Martin, -8. H. Lill, H. C. B. Withell, J. Findlay, S. G. Lemon. .T. AI. Johnston, J. H Grigg, A. Gregory, R. D. Cochrane, F. P. Cook son, AI. S. 'furton, Guy Let ham, 1). G. Wright. Cattle and Pigs—Alessrs H. C. Barton, F Frampton, J. Small, J. Blair, G. H. B. Lill, J. W. Butterick, J. ivi. Johnston, W. At. Skevington, F. H. Horrldgo.

Draught Horses—Alessrs S. P. Taylor, T. S. Taylor, W. J. Doak, 1). Cairns, D. J. Doak, J. G; AlcLaehlan, D. G. Wright, A. G. Holmes, W. O'. Taylor, J. J. Bell. Light horses mid competitions—Alessrs •H. Alorris, J. H. Grigg, H. Brown, P. J. Alowatt, J. Findlay, A. P. Bruce, L. J. Foehncy, J. Gregory, P. J. Hanrahan, A. G. Holmes. Farm and Dairy Produce—Alessrs A. P. Bruce, J. W. Butterick, S. H. Lill, P. J. -Afowat, T. S. Taylor, J. Aloorc, J. Gregory. Art and Industrial—AJesdames A. Brown (Elgin), H. Stringfellow (Ashburton), W. H. Amos (Ashburton), F. Johnston (Soafield) (W.D.F.U.), F. Curtis (Ashburton) (W. 1.), G. E. Moore and Aliss AI. Lill (Willowby). Finances —Alessrs A. Brown, J. Findlay, A. P. Bruce, R. J. Alartin, H. Brown, H. Morris, G. H. B. Lill, S. P. Taylor, J. Lowery, T. J. Bell. Grounds—Alessrs A. Brown, J. Findlay, A. Gregory, F. Frampton, J. W. Butterick, A. P. Bruce, H. C. B. Withell, J. Blair, R. J. Alartin, S. G. Lemon, D. G. Wright, J. Lowery. Gates —Alessrs P. J. Alowat, A. P. Bruce, A. Brown, A. Gregory, .S,' H. Lill, J. Blair. The Cotriedale Society wrote that it had found it increasingly difficult to maintain its panel of judges and it was endeavouring to formulate a. scheme to add younger judges to its lists. Many good men were available who lacked only experience. The Society asked for the Association’s help in the difficulty. It was decided that it should he left to the Sheep Committee to make recommendations. Reference was made to the death of Air Alurdoch Bruce, and a motion of sympathy with the relatives was carried in silence. < A statement on the result of the recent ram fair was given by the secretary (Air W. H. Amos), Who said that receipts had totalled £B6 14s Gd and there Was. a credit balance of £56 18s.

The president expressed appreciation of the services of Alessrs T. J. Bell and S. H. Lill for the work they did in connection with the fair. Air Gregory reported on the holding of two military camps at the Showgrounds, and said that the authorities had promised to make good any damage. The weather was bad and the presence of 1500 men had resulted in some damage, hut the ' Association should look on it as having been done during a war effort. Alost of the repairs had been carried out and lie thought the account sent to the military authorities (£27 11s 3d) would cover the bulk of what had to he done. Dropping of Shows. Air R. J. Alartin said the Committee 7 should consider whether it was going to continue the show during trie war, and perhaps ask other Associations to do the same thing.

Mr F. Frampton asid it was a difficult question to decide. If Mr Martin gave notice of motion, members could think about it before the next meeting. Mr Martin said he was not prepared to say whether the shows should be dropped, but members should be given an opportunity to express their opinion. There would bo a good deal of difficulty in carrying on the shows successfully.

Mr J. Small said the shows were carried on during the last war. They should he carried on this time.

Mr M. S. Turton said the question was an important one and the opinion of the other Canterbury Associations should he obtained. The suggestion was in the right direction. It was decided to ask the Canterbury Association to call a conference of associations in the province to discuss the problem. Air D. G. Wright said it Would bo no good having a. show and not having the exhibits. The shows were carried on last war, but this war was a much bigger thing and would go much further yet, and it might be well to discuss the problem among all the interested bodies. Mr Small said the shows could be carried on. for the war funds, and not many exhibitors would object to the dropping of prize money in the meantime. , Mr F. P. Cookson said that New Zealand would be a very important source of supply of stud stock after the war, and the shows should be carried on so that the necessary competition that kept up quality should be maintained. Mr J. O. Guinness said it would he a retrograde stop to shut down the main shows.

It was agreed that a meeting of subcommittees should be held next Tuesday to discuss the Ashburton aspect of the suggestion, and that a full committee meeting bo held afterwards. Congratulations were extended to Air Turton on his election to the County Council.