Diamond Jubilee Show At Oxford

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31023, 31 March 1966, Page 17

Diamond Jubilee Show At Oxford

The Canterbury show season will end on a fitting note on Saturday with the diamond jubilee show of the Oxford Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Alternating between last and second to last place on the show roster has been no great drawback for the Oxford show—not in recent years at least. After a wonderful autumn, that “couldn’t have been better”, exhibits in the stock classes are expected to come forward in wonderful condition.

During the last few years the show has made marked gains in popularity with both exhibitors and spectators. This is apparent, from the fact that in six of the last eight years, record entries have been received by the association, with some of the “gates” being records also. It is probably an achievement unrivalled by other country shows. Although this year is one in which the entries are not a record, they are nevertheless still among the best received by the association. Record entries have been received for some of the individual classes, however, and among these is the support for the export lamb classes, with an on-the-hook killer competition to be judged at the Kaiapoi freezing works in the following week. The number of entries for some of the major groupings of stock are so good that they have been exceeded only by last year’s record figures. This is the case with both sheen and horses. An upsurge in the popularity of the photographic classes last year has been maintained.

Support for the newly introduced art section has been most rewarding to the association. The art section provides open classes for oil colours and water colours, with seven and 15 entries being received respectively. Final Entries Final entries are , compared with the recormd tally of 2827 for last year. Entries in the various sections, with those for last year in parenthesis, are: Horses, 803 (812); sheep 574 (622); wool 16 (14); cattle, 168 (230); dogs and dog trials, 45 (54); poultry, 30 (24); grain and seeds, 31 (25); potatoes and vegetables, 192 (181); home and dairy produce, 200 (313); photography, 112 (119); art, 22 (new classes); schoolwork, 333 (337); flowers (92); total, (2827). Entries have been drawn from widely separated parts of the province and even further afield, with the most distant coming from Whangarei. Rather surprising with the late date of the shows is that the association has suffered few set backs from adverse

weather, according to officials. The worst day was about four years ago, when there was a thunderstorm, which was the first really wet show day some officials could recall. Improvements A policy of steadily improving the show grounds and facilities has been continued this year. The association has added to the show grounds by buying former branch railway line land, and a disused entrance to Pearson Park. These additions will considerably increase the area available for car parking. Although the new area will be in use for Saturday, it will not be fully developed until next season, however. Another improvement has been the erection of a new fence, considerably tidying up the Bay road frontage of the grounds. This new concrete post, galvanised rail, and high tensile netting fence was made possible by a bequest to the association by a former life member, Mr J. T. Croy. For many patrons the climax of any show is the grand

parade, which at Oxford is made more interesting by being a continuously moving one. Set down for 2.30 p.m. the parade will be led out by the North Canterbury Highland Pipe Band with the president (Mr L. C. Beer) and the member for the district (Mr H. L. Pickering) at the head of the assembly. With the show grounds nestling close under the foothills, the occasion provides a colour, ful gala outing in delightfid surroundings, just a comfortable drive from Christchurch. An advantage in travelling to Oxford is the choice of routes available for those who dislike retracing their tracks on the homeward journey. Diversity There should be sufficient diversity of entertainment to cater for all tastes, both young and old. As well as the excellent display of top quality stock, there will be horse events in the ring for most of the day; extensive commercial and industrial displays; examples of handicrafts, home dairy and garden produce; and a host of stalls

and sideshows, giving ample opportunity for entertainment of a lighter type. A short walk to the adjoining Pearson park will prove well worth-while, for there men and dogs will be pitting their combined skills against sheep in trials that will be going on almost all day from 8.15 a.m.

show, will give visitors the opportunity of seeing an amazing variety of sporting and toy dogs, ranging from some of the smallest to the largest breeds. Progress The steadily increasing success of the show is typical of the progress made by the Oxford district as a whole. Much of the Oxford district was once considered “poor” land but new farming methods and the use of fertilisers have resulted in the picture being vastly different today. Now Oxford is a prosperous and thriving community, with farms that would be a credit to any district While sheep are the basis of the fanning economy of the county, other activities include dairying and poultry farming, while operations have been further diversified in recent years with a swing back to cash crops.

Competitions held by the North Canterbury Kennel Club, in conjunction with the

Progress is evident in other directions too. The County Council is pushing ahead with plans to provide a reticulated water supply for the township. The council has taken over the responsibility for several domains in the area and has been gradually effecting improvements. Construction is well advanced on a substantial 4000 square foot building in Pearson park to serve several 'organisations.