SHOW IS POPULAR PICNIC OUTING

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30406, 3 April 1964, Page 14

SHOW IS POPULAR PICNIC OUTING

A popular family picnic outing the Oxford Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s annual show will be held tomorrow, when additional features should make the day even more’ attractive than in former years. The situation of the wellsheltered show grounds, close under the Oxford foothills, is one of the most pleasant and within easy driving range of Christchurch.

The show at Oxford has been held in high regard by exhibitors, a fact that has been evident from the record number of entries received in each of the previous five years. Although the slightly adverse season has prevented entries this year from rivalling last year’s total, the figure is still one of the best received by the association. With flower entries still to come, the entries are 2020. Some sections have improved, however, and the association’s officials have been particularly gratified with the further increase in the horse classes, which have reached a record tally of 692, an increase of 61 on the previous best figure last year. Entries for the various classes, with those for last year in parenthesis, are: Horses, 692 (631): sheep, 382 (484); cattle, 172 (235); wool, 18 (12); dogs and dog trials, 67 (76); poultry, 22

(43); grain and seeds, 34 (55); potatoes, roots, garden vegetables, 92 (213); home, dairy, produce, 182 (293); school and photography, 340 (454). New Features Added interest will be given the show by the inclusion of two new sheep classes and a championship competition arranged by the North Canterbury Kennel Club. The new sheep sections are for the Dorset horn and polled Dorsets and the South Dorset downs. The decision to include these classes has proved well justified an excellent response of 24 entries having been received for the Dorset horn and polled Dorsets and 45 for the South Dorset Downs, among the largest entries in the sheep classes. been received for the North Canterbury Kennel Club’s show, whose entries are not listed in those supplied by the association.

Nearly 160 dogs representing most breeds will be paraded at the club’s event, which has championship status, with entries having been received from Ashburton to Wellington. Some comparatively rare breeds will be featured, including Chihuahuas, considered the smallest breed in the world, and the Chow Chow, six of which have been entered.

Although the Kennel Club’s competitions will be held in an area specially set aside, competitors will parade their entries in the main arena during the luncheon break when a commentary will be given about the various breeds and possibly individual dogs. Gay Atmosphere Behind the gay gala atmosphere of show day there is a story of hard work and preparation, however. Farmers have been working to turn out their stock and other exhibits in the best of condition; commercial organisations have been busy preparing for their displays; machinery will probably be given that final polish, ready for young boys to clamber over and sit in a little world of make believe behind

the controls of massive mechanical monsters. Many residents of the Oxford district have toiled at working bees to ensure the facilities and grounds are at their best for the day when Oxford goes on parade. For Saturday improvements have been made to the dining room, which has been given an air of spaciousness by removing part of a dividing wall. The lay-out of the grounds has been re-planned to provide additional parking space and improved displays. As well a new shed has been built to house the grain and seed exhibits and improvements have been made to the facilities in some of the other display sheds. Many Aspects While exhibits of stock and other farm products are a vital part of the show there are many other aspects that contribute to its success and the day is one in which town and country combine in many ways. For many businesses it is an opportunity to place their wares, directly and indirectly related to efficiency on the land, before the , farmers and their families.

For city dwellers, children especially, the show will be their opportunity to see a wide variety of farm animals and produce in comparative comfort, combined with all the fun of the fair, with all its side shows, sweet stalls, ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds.

Solid Prosperity Behind all the glamour of the show, however, is the solid prosperity of the Oxford district, which continues to make steady progress. Modern farming practices have done much to increase the prosperity pf a district in a very favourable rainfall belt. There is a diversity of production too embracing sheep, grain, dairy, and poultry farming. The Oxford County Council has been pushing ahead with road sealing and bridge building projects. In addition to the new reinforced concrete bridge over the Eyre river on the main road from Oxford to Sheffield another similar, but smaller bridge was built by a local firm to give all weather access to the “island” situated between two branches of this river in the foothill area near View Hill. This latter bridge at Harmans Gorge road will remove the necessity of a 40-mile round trip that some farmers had to make when the flooded Eyre cut them off from parts of their farms on the opposite side of the river.

A greatly improved access is being provided to the Wairaakariri Gorge bridge, which

has been redecked and sealed. The road to the Ashley Gorge Domain has been completely sealed and the council is considering installing power points for caravans at the domain. Improvements have been made to the filtration plant at the swimming pool in Pearson Park and now the council is taking steps to apply for a £30,000 loan to install a high pressure water supply for the township, for which a well is now under test.

Show time is a significant time for another district organisation, the Oxford Play Centre, which celebrates its first anniversary this week. From its opening roll of 10 children it has thrived to such an extent that it now has 30 children enrolled at each of two weekly classes, under the supervision of Mrs R. Carney and her assistant Mrs M. Dailey. The enthusiasm shown by residents in helping the committee establish the play centre is typical of the community spirit that exists. While committee members have worked hard on a variety of projects to provide funds, others have been generous in supporting projects, while mothers assist at the centre on a roster system.