THE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 13 November 1930, Page 21

THE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S

I METROPOLITAN SHOW, 1930 !

* &P& J : It If Interesting to note the beginnings of agriculture in . in a publication 46 years old—an illustrated to Christchurch and neighbourhood—the following "John Deans sailed from Wellington to Newcastle (Australia) for stock, and arrived at Port Cooper (now £yttelton) by the Princess Royal, on June 17th, after s passage of 21 days, bringing with him 61 hoad of . cattle, 3 mares, and 43 sheep, all of a good class," From beginning the province has advanced to ; present stage, sheep in Canterbury at the census in April t numbering 5,728,281, and cattle 184,468. The fanners of Canterbury have always taken a pride in sfrwifj and the healthy rivalry engendered by A. and P. i' hps helped to keep the standard high. Evidence of the of Hew Zealand-bred stock is found in tho overseas n4 for it. It is nearly 68 years since, the Canterbury A. and P. Asso-. formed. The Association's path has not always been roses; it has had its ups and downs, but it has riven on a ""Very firm basis because there never was a pTrtitm it could not rely upon generous assistance from the i jPB fhe land and the business men of Christchurch.

The Association owed its formation, firstly y to a recognition of the important part that the agricultural and pastoral pursuits were to play in the development of the province, and secondly to the necessity which arose for some permanent body to control and conduct the annual exhibitions of stock, farm produce, and agricultural implements. The shows at first were devoted mainly to horticultural exhibits, with some of farm produce added. The first of these shows was held in Hagley Park on December 16th, 1852, the second anniversary of the foundation of the Canterbury Settlement. Since then the annual show has grown to its present dimensions. It was in 1886 that the present show grounds at Addington were purchased. The site comprised 29i acres, and the price paid for it was £2OO per acre. The owner from whom the land was purchased was Mr Twigger, who made the Association a gift of an additional 5f acres. The Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand was formed in 1923. The first "Royal," in the following year, was held at Palmerston North, in connexion with the Manawatu and West Coast'A. and P. show, the second, in 1925, ifc Christchurch, in connexion with the Canterbury A. and P. Association's show, the third at Auckland, the fourth at Christchurch in 1927, the fifth at Palmerston North, the sixth

at Invercargill, and the present year's show at Hastings year's Royal will again be held at Christchurch. The Association has not confined its activities to holding an annual show, and to speaking whenever necessary in support of farmers' interests, but it has issued for many years'a very useful journal, dealing with agricultural subjects. With the passing of the years the membership of the Association has expanded until it now stands at nearly 2000. The number of exhibits at the show have also grown. In 1864 th6y totalled 193; in 1874 the numbered 612 ; in 1884, 1298; in 1894, 1708; in 1900, 1438; in 1910, 2154; in 1920, 1744; and this year they total 3015, as compared with 2613 last year. It is appropriate that, on an occasion of such importance as the annual show, readers should be reminded of the debt owing to the pioneers of the institution.. The town, no less than the country, should be interested in the big event. The recognition of this fact is being-better realised now that hard times are being passed through by the farming community. When the producers are prosperous, so are the cities, and when the farmers are passing through hard times, the effect is not long in being communicated to the cities. Particularly is this so in a country so dependent on its primary production as New Zealand. A proper appreciation of this fact should help to make the show of 1930 a record one. Next