WHO’S WHO AT THE SHOW

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21939, 13 November 1936, Page 12

WHO’S WHO AT THE SHOW

PROMINENT VISITORS AND EXHIBITORS NOTABLE FIGURES IN INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE “Farmers’ Day” at the show brought many fresh faces to the ringside and stock pens, and among the new arrivals were many prominent figures. Most of them were farmers, or men who had a close association with farming, for yesterday was the day on which the best opportunity is given for examining the exhibits at leisure and inspecting the various awards Farmers there were m plenty—thosc who had come to see the show and not merely the select crowd officials and exhibitors who comprised the bulk of Wednesday’s attendance. Some of them are noted below. A Study in Contrasts On the rail of one of the halfbred pens yesterday a short stockily-built man in a grey suit and bowler hat, smoking a cigarette, sat gazing at the Southdowns and halfbreds, at the same time listening with close attention to the speech of the Governor-General, which was being transmitted by loudspeaker from the luncheon-room. Twelve months ago, this man was lighting his hardest to defend the National Government at the bar of public opinion To-day the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes formerly Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition, has become Mr George Forbes again, and as George Forbes ot “Crystal Brook,” he is a man to command the respect of all others. Pohtics made a prime minister of this honest and popular North Canterbury farmer, and politics, with its relentless caprices, just as easily laid him aside. But in the meantime, Mr Forbes has developed a mature philosophy. The country no longer has need of him (ho is told), and he is contenU-content to improve his farming practice, and on his Cheviot property, “Crystal Brook, he has already proved lhat he is a good farmer. A Farmer Minister A successful small farmer and Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin has not always been associated with primary industry. Like so many other prominent North Island figures he is a South Islander, born in Oamaru and educated at Waimate and Christchurch. In his earlier days Mr Martin was an active worker in religious movements, and has been an °“* C j r in the Salvation Army and a Methodist lay preacher. He joined the Labdur movement in Wanganui in 1902, and for a number of years was secretary of the Wanganui Painters Union. Removing to the Waikato he took up farming at Matangi, <pne of the richest dairying districts in New Zealand Mr Martin’s first entry into politics was made in 1925, when he unsuccessfully contested the Hamilton seat against Sir Alexander Young. At the next election he succeeded in capturing the Raglan seat, but he was defeated in 1931, Regaining the seat last year, Mr Martin had a short and rapid journey to Cabinet rank, and he is recognised as one of the most able members of the ministry, particularly on matters connected, with agriculture.

“Stalwart of Dairy Shorthorn Breed” In Mr R. V. Brown, of Weraroa, the New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Breeders’ Association has one of its staunchest adherents. A past-president of the association, Mr Brown is known as one of the most successful farmers of the Manawatu district and he has achieved some wonderful averages for butterfat production. Part of the reason for his success no doubt lies in his refusal to let anything worry him. and he possesses a cheerful determination, which, among other' things, has seen the Shorthorn breed gradually gain recognition as a premier dairy animal. As an advocate and exhibitor, Mr Brown has been a strong supporter of the Royal Show ever since its inception. and he has an extraordinary record for championship awards at various North Island shows. Recently. Mr Brown retired from active management of his Weraroa property, which he has handed over to his sons, but as a member of the livestock department of the Loan and Mercantile Company, stationed at Lower Hutt, he still maintains an active interest in cattle matters. A Clydesdale Breeder Member of a well-known North Island landed family, Mr Alec Hunter, of Hawera, has taken a particularly keen interest in the horse sections of the Royal Show. He has been for many years treasurer of the New Zealand Clydesdale Society, and he has also been one of the most successful breeders of this type of horse. In his earlier years he was a very keen breeder of Shorthorn beef cattle, and at the present time he is vicepresident of the New Zealand Shortnorn Society. All equestrian activ ; - ties, however, have received greatest assistance from him, and l.c has done yeoman service in popularising the Clydesdale breed. “A Cattleman’s Encyclopaedia” Mr M. F. Donovan, of Hastings, who judged the Shorthorn classes in the cattle section of the Royal Show is a walking encyclopaedia for the cattleman, especially the Shorthorn breeder. He has forgotten more things about cattle than most farmers ever learn in a lifetime, but he is always ready to place his knowledge at the disposal of others. Formerly studmaster to the Hon. R. D. D. McLean in Central Hawke’s Bay, “Mick” Donovan has an almost uncanny instinct for beef cattle, and his success as a judge is shown by the frequency with which he is invited to return year after year to shows at which he once has officiated. His fame as a cattle judge is not confined to New Zealand, for he has on several occasions judged the cattle at the Sydney Royal Show and other Australian exhibitions.

New Leader of Opposition An interested visitor to the fat stock section and keen spectator of the ring events yesterday was the Hon. Adam Hamilton, the recently elected leader of the Opposition. A farmer in Southland for many years, Mr Hamilton was keenly interested in the display of sheep and fat lambs, and his tall, stooped figure was easily discernible among the pens during the afternoon. Educated at #lnox College and Otago University, Mr Hamilton was a leading Southland farmer, until his services were sought in an administrative capacity. For some years he managed the branch of the Southland Farmers’ Co-operative Association at Winton, a concern of which he later became chairman of directors. He also took a keen interest in the Farmers’ Union and in politics, entering the House of Representatives as member for Wallace in 1919. Since then Mr Hamilton’s career has been mostly political, but he maintains his earlier interest in farming and agriculture. Farmers’ Union President Prominent among yesterday’s visitors to the show was the genial, heariy figure of Mr W. W. Mulholland, of Darfield. Dominion. president of the Farmers’ Union. Mr Mulholland has been associated with the Farmers’ Union for. many years, and his constructive opinions have been of great assistance to that body in its deliberations on matters of farming politics. His chief claim to fame, however is his espousal of the cause of the Canterbury wheat growers in the troublous limes before the industry was granted a system of protection. Mr Mulholland was the principal in the formation of the Wheat Groweis Co-operative Association, from which emerged the United Wheat Growers’ (N.Z.).