SCHOOL SHOWS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27226, 18 December 1953, Page 14

SCHOOL SHOWS

GROWTH OF MOVEMENT IN CANTERBURY The Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs movement in Canterbury was achieving great “magnitude and significance,” said Mr A. McNeil at the Canterbury Education Board’s meeting on Wednesday. In the last few months there had been 30 group shows, each of which represented possibly half a dozen schools. These shows were but one aspect of the work, Mr McNeil said. They were miniature agricultural and pastoral shows and just as carefully organised. Expert judges were engaged to class calves, lambs, sheepdogs, pets, poultry, ponies and many other exhibits. Mr McNeil said he had recently attended the Kowai group show at Amberley and was impressed by the widespread interest among parents and children. A useful feature was that senior pupils from city schools were taken to these shows and there added greatly to their knowledge. One party had learned the mysteries of “bellies,” “locks” and other terms of wool classing, the weight of an average fleece and its value at current rates. This showed them that farming besides being healthy and interesting was a profitable occupation, he added amid laughter. The operation of a big range of implements was also explained. / Apart from the face value of this work in giving an appreciation of agriculture, it had importance in modern social studies, Mr McNeil said. It w’as a fitting way of showing the inter-dependence of town and country, an appropriate thought to be mentioned to the board on December 16— the anniversary of Canterbury.