RECORD ENTRIES FOR OXFORD SHOW

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30715, 2 April 1965, Page 8

RECORD ENTRIES FOR OXFORD SHOW

The Oxford Agricultural and Pastoral Association is looking forward to its annual show tomorrow being the best of its long history. Another record entry is excellent testimony to the high regard in which this event is held by exhibitors. All that is needed now to make tlie show the most outstanding yet is a fine day and a record crowd.

With record entries in six of the last seven years, the show has probably established a record unique amongst shows in Canterbury.

In the pleasant and wellsheltered grounds with the Oxford foothills as an attractive backdrop, the show makes an ideal occasion for a family picnic outing, just an easy drive from Christchurch. . There will be an excellent array of exhibits in the various classes, close contests in the competitions, an inter-

esting display in the industrial and commercial sections, and all the fun of the fair for the youngsters. Entries Compared

Total entries of 2827 are an improvement of 75 on the record figure of 1963 and more than 771 greater than last year. Markedly increased entries have been received for some of the sections, notably in the horse classes where entries have jumped by 180 on the previous record to 2812. An almost equally sensational gain in popularity has been made in the sheep classes, in which the number of entries has risen to 622, an increase of 117. Perhaps the most dramatic increase has been in the photographic competitions, which have soared to 119 compared with the meagre 12 of last year and 35 of the previous year. Entries in the various sections, with those for last year in parenthesis, are:— Horses 812 (692): sheep 622 (382); cattle 230 (172); dogs and dog trials 54 (67): poultry 24 (22); grain and seeds 25 (34); potatoes and vegetables 181 (92); home and dairy produce and fancy work 313 (182); photography 119 (12); schoolwork 337 (328); flowers 92 (36). Naturally, the show commit-

tee is enthusiastic about the response by exhibitors to tomorrow's show but it has posed some problems too. Among these has been how to cope with the great increase in the horse competitions in the time available. To do this association members have been hard at work enlarging the main ring, adding 20 yards at one end and 15 at the other. This will enable four judging rings to be conducted simultaneously instead of three as formerly. As well the ponies have been divided into two classes with one section up to 12.2 hands and the other up to 14.2 hands. Each year Oxford and the Malvern Agricultural and Pastoral Association assist each other by an exchange of hurdles for the sheep pens. This year however Oxford has had to borrow all of Malvern’s hurdles and as well has called on its southern neighbour, the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for an extra 170 to have sufficient pens for the large entry. Prize Money Increased

In view of the excellent response to this year’s show the association’s policy of increasing its prize money in all stock classes appears to have been well justified. Entries have been attracted from farther afield than usual, coming from Culverden and Parnassus in the north, Wainui in the east, and Geraldine in the south.

Support for the export lamb classes, organised jointly by the association and the North Canterbury Farmers’ Co-oper-ative and Export Company Ltd. (Kaiapoi), fully justifies the decision to institute such a competition in 1963. This year’s entry of 25 pens, a total of 75 lambs, is more than double the entries in either of the previous two years. After judging on the hoof at the show, the pens will go forward to the works at Kaiapoi for judging on the hook on Monday afternoon.

The judging at the works provides an opportunity for farmers to gain a better appreciation of the type of lamb carcase preferred for overseas markets.

For many persons the focal point of the show is the grand parade and this event is timed for 2.30 p.m. Added interest is given the parade by its being continuously moving. A popular feature at the show in recent years has been the competitions arranged by the North Canterbury Kennel Club, which will hold its parades on an area just inside the main grounds. Additional Parking

With such large entries it is natural to expect an excel-

lent attendance at the show and in readiness for this, the association has been fortunate in obtaining use of an adjoining paddock from the association’s treasurer, Mr R. E. Meyer, for additional parking space. Recently the association bought the strip of land at the southern end of the ground formerly occupied by the Oxford branch railway line and this will be developed in time for next year's show. When this is done it will give a greater appearance of unity with the adjoining Pearson park, where the sheep dog trials are held. The use of the association's facilities is not restricted to just the day of the annual show. Several district organisations make regular use of the grounds, which provides a lighted training ground for the Rugby club. Some persons attending the show will be making their first visit to Oxford and they would be well rewarded by making return visits, for the district is one abounding in attractive picnic spots around the foothills, and a round trip through Loburn, Ashley Gorge, and Waimakarlri Gorge is a popular outing. Popular Resort

One of the most favoured picnic and camping spots is the Ashley Gorge and during the recent summer holidays it was patronised by what was regarded as the largest group of holiday makers to stay there. Contributing to this growth in popularity has been the provision of electricity points for caravans by the Oxford County Council which administers the domain. The council has continued to make steady progress in other directions also, among them being progress towards the installation of a highpressure water supply in the town. In conjunction with this project investigations are being made about including a rural reticulated water supply scheme for part of the area. The council has completed the sealing of its section of State Highway 72, including the realignment of the approach to the Waimakariri Gorge bridge, giving a completely sealed round trip from Christchurch through Oxford and the gorge, returning via the West Coast road. Sealing of country roads has continued too. Community facilities are expected to be further improved by proposals to build a new concrete block pavilion in Pearson park to replace the old wooden building destroyed during the summer by fire. The proposed building, with a main hall of 30ft 6in by 40ft and several smaller rooms and kitchen facilities, will cater for several sporting bodies.