Century Of Progress

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31195, 20 October 1966, Page 21

Century Of Progress

It is appropriate for a centennial show that some displays should feature something of the history and progress during the last 100 years, from the early days of the settlement in North Canterbury.

The Northern A. and P. Association has arranged a major display of vintage machinery but in addition to this both the Canterbury North Provincial of the Women’s Division of the Federated Farmers. the Rangiora Early Records Society, and the Department of Agriculture will be presenting special displays.

“Memories of Yesteryear” is the theme of the W.D.F.F. tent, which will feature differing aspects in four bays. Some of the articles at the display will date from the early days, with comparison being provided by other items leading up to reasonably modern times.

The collection has been gathered from members of the W.D.F.F. and other organisations and individuals

associated with the North Canterbury area.

The display will include such things as early christening gowns, toys, handcrafts, and candles, candlesticks, and candlemoulds.

Some of the equipment will display the skill of the old time craftsmen, having been elaborately finished. Samples of needlework, crochet, knitting, carving, dolls, old type prams, and novelty articles too numerous to list have been made available.

The Early Records Society will be providing a display divided into sections dealing with the old time farm dairy, kitchen and household equipment, laundry, tools, lighting, and photographs. The dairy section will show utensils used during the period from the 1850 s to the early 1900 s, including the setting pans and skimmers which preceded the separator, churns, butter tubs, cheese press, and many other items of which the modem generation will be unaware ever existed.

The lighting display will feature many of the variety of kerosene lamps, some of which have continued to be used until comparatively recent times in areas not favoured with the luxury of electricity.

This display has been organised by the society’s president Mr C. M. Harman, Swannanoa, and an enthusiastic centennial display committee.

Co-ordinating its activities with the Early Records Society, the Department of Agriculture has prepared a display to provide a static review of 100 years of progress in farming in Canterbury. The display will include farming statistics dating from 1861 to 1964.