SHOWS OF EARLY YEARS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 10

SHOWS OF EARLY YEARS

Origins of the A. and P. Association LINKS WITH CANTERBURY HISTORY Invaluable Services to Primary Industries At. a public meeting held in Christchurch on November 18, 1862, the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was formed. It owed its formation first to the recognition of the important part agricultural and pastoral industries were to play in the development of the province, and second to the necessity for some permanent body to control and conduct the annual exhibitions of stock, farm produce, and agricultural implements. The history of the shows and activities by which the association is now chiefly known to the public goes farther back than 1862. As early as 1852 a horticultural and agricultural show was held in Hagley Park. This was successful enough to encourage those who sponsored it to attempt something greater. And in October, 1853, the first cattle, sheep, horse, and pig show in the province was held in the Market place (now Victoria square). From such ventures grew the present association, with nearly 75 years of invaluable service to its credit.

The association has led the way in many movements of vital importance to farming. Its success and continued enterprise are a testimony to the vision and understanding of those early settlers who saw the agricultural and pastoral potentialities of the Canterbury plains. Among those who were connected with tha association s foundation, or who guided it in early, difficult years, were Robert Wilkin and George Gould, the first and second presidents; William Sefton Moorhouse, Samuel Bealey, and William Rolleston, Superintendents of the province of Canterbury; Joseph Brittan; and the early secretaries, B. Dowling, R. Brunsden, E. B. Bishop, J. T. Ford, and M. Murphy. Early Shows It has been mentioned that Canterbury’s first cattle, sheep, horses, and pig show was ■ held in Christchurch in October. 1353—a little more than two years after the pioneers landed at Lyttelton from the First Four Ships. The actual site was that now occupied by Queen Victoria’s statue in Victoria square. The cattle and horses were exhibited in temporary stockyards erected on the southern side of the Market Place, and the sheep and pigs were exhibited in yards made with hurdles. The show was held under the allspices of the Christchurch Agriculture Society, which included horticulture in its programme. More than £IOO was given in prizes, the funds being subscribed by stock owners and the public of Christchurch. This first show was a success, not being- supported by the public, so the decided to discontinue; it for a time, 4t was not revived until 4 1862. In the meantime, however, the former horticultural shows were continued. They Were held in May, in 1854 and 1855.

After Mr Gould’s term as president, Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley was elected. Besides being a prominent business man and a sheep farmer, Mr Murray-Aynsley was a member of the Provincial-Council, acting-president in 1839, and represented Lyttelton in the General Assembly from 1876 to 1879. The Hon. John Hall, afterwards Sir John Hall, was president of the association for one year. 1876, and was the association’s ipatron from 1883 (with Mr Gould) to 1906. Mr W. Norman was another early president whose work helped in developing the associatiom Mr William Henderson, president in 1882, was the owner of a celebrated stud of Border Leicester sheep. Mr William Boag (1886) came of a very old Scottish family of Braco, West Perthshire, and was a noted breeder of draught horses, Shorthorn cattle, rand Leicester sheep

Mr John Deans (1887 and 1888) was the son of the John Deans'who, with his brother, William, was the first settler on the plains. Mr John Grigg (1893) had a Jong career as an agriculturist and breeder of stock. It was by his enterprise and perseverance that the famous Longbeach farm was created out of what was formerly an impassable bog. Dr. E. G. Levinge (1902) did excellent work for the association, especially in the inauguration of the Floral Harvest HoHie, to raise funds for the extinction of the mortgage of £4BOO on the association’s show grounds. The name of Rhodes is closely connected the early history of Canterbury, and no fewer than three members of that family have been presidents of the association—Mr Arthur E. G. Rhodes (1894), the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes (1896), and Mr G. E. Rhodes (1899). The descendants of five of the association’s early presidents held the affice in later years— Mr George Gould (1893), Mr John Dryden Hall (1912), Mr J C. N. Grigg (1913), Mr John Deans (1917), and Mr :T. D. Boag (1919).

Present Grounds Acquired

By 1886 the grounds at Sydenham had become too small to accommodate the exhibits, and the show that year was the last to be held there. The association’s annual report for the year ended January 31, 1886, contained the following paragraph about the purchase of new grounds at Addington:— “In accordance with an instruction to the incoming committee that it acquire a piece. Of ground on the Lincoln road, on the terms offered by Mr Twigger such deal has been completed.” The area was 29 acres 2 roods 36 perches at £2OO an acre, the terms to be 10 per cent, cash and the balance at 5 per cent, for 20 years, Mr Twigger giving an additional 5 acres 3 roods 2C perches as a free gift to the association. The total purchase money was, £5960 15s Bd, and th? land and buildings on the old grounds were valued at £5707 3s 4d.

On September 18, 1559, a show of stock was held on Mr Ben, Moorhouse’s station on the Rangitata. This was followed by a sheep show at Turton’s, on the site where Ashburton now stands This last show produced what appears to have been the first step towards the formation of an agricultural and pastoral association. On the evening after the show a meeting was held, at which 30 men submitted their names for membership in an association. The following committee was elected: Messrs A. Cox, B. Dowling, G. Tripp, B. Moorhouse, D. Innes, E. N. Fereday, G. D. Lockhart, E. Chapman. R. McLean, E. W. Templar, G. W. Hall, M. Studholme, and J. T. McDonald. Mr Dowling was appointed secretary. The next show was held at Ashburton on August 18, 1860. There is record of a horse parade held in Christchurch in High street on October 5, 1862.

In the early days the association’s grounds were in great demand for picnic parties and sports gatherings. The grounds were also used for military camps; the Canterbuiy Regiment, the Rough Riders, for the South African war, camped and received their training there. Other South African contingents also camped there, and there were more camps during the Great War.

First Show Grounds After a meeting held in May, 1862, presided over by Mr R. Wilkin, it was decided to hold an annual general show of stock and implements, beginning on October 22. A working committee was appointed for the show, consisting of Messrs R. H. Rhodes. R. Wilkin. B. Dowling. J. Brittan. W. Thomson. M. Sprot, W. Boag, J. Hill, R. Brunsden. Joseph Palmer, J. Ollivier, E. M. Templar, • John Anderson, James Johnson. Shand. J. Coker. Johnson. E. B. Bishop, Major- Cootes. and Major T. W. White. Very careful and complete arrangements were made for the show, and the grounds were an improvement on the old Market Place site. A broad section known as Gresson’s paddock, north of Latimer square, on part of which the Choral Hall now stands, was obtained. It was well fenced with a gorse hedge, and the main entrance was from Madras street On November 18 in the same year the Agricultural and Pastoral Association was formed. His Honour Mr William Sefton Moorhouse, Superintendent of the province, was elected patron, Mr R. Wilkin president Mr J. Palmer treasurer, and Mr W. Thomson secretary. It was decided to buy 10 acres in Christchurch or its suburbs. Two sites for grounds were considered then, one a plot of land on the lower Avqn and the other in Colombo street south. The first, show ground was the area now called Sydenham Park. 14 acres fronting Colombo and Brougham streets. No time was lost in the preparation of the site, and the association’s first show was held there on October 23, 1863. Past Presidents

In 1923 the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand was formed, and the first Royal Show was held at Palmerston North, with the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s show, in 1924. The second Royal Show was at Christchurcn, the third at Auckland, the fourth at Christchurch in 1927 the fifth at Palmerston North, the sixth at Invercargill, and the seventh at Hastings. The last Royal Show at Christchurch was in 1931.

M. R. Wilkin, the first president was the descendant of a family of farmers for many generations established in Dumfries-shire. He settled first in Australia, and farmed there, coming to New Zealand in 1858. For many years he was a member of the provincial executive of Canterbury Till the time of his death in 1886 he was active in promoting the interests of the association, and his efforts in early years had a great deal to do with its success. .

Mr Wilkin was succeeded by Mr George Gould. For six years—lß69 to 1874—Mr Gould continued vigorously me building up of the association on «ie sound foundation laid by his predecessor. Mr Gould left England for 2™ Zealand in 1850. He was born at xiamUeaan,. two miles from Henley-ra-Thame«. From 1882 to 1888 he was association, and, during « it was struggling for offered to subSShfif* £ donations. In this be gave a cheque for £SOO.