FINE PRODUCE AT SHOW

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31836, 14 November 1968, Page 16

FINE PRODUCE AT SHOW

Champions Chosen; New Machinery Displayed

The finest primary produce that Canterbury can assemble went on display at the Addington Show Grounds yesterday.

The first day of the three-day Canterbury A. and P. Association show was devoted almost entirely to the selection of the best of the horses, cows, sheep, pigs, dogs, poultry and produce brought in from all parts of the plains and high country.

At the gate visitors paid $486 for admission, compared with $395 last year. But the admission charge is higher this year—soc, compared with 40c last year. The show began in fine, warm weather and attracted many parents with young children who obviously thought the annual visit would be less tiresome for themselves and their children if they went along yesterday. They were right There was plenty of time to amble about the stock, machinery displays, and sideshows without being jostled or having to queue up for rides on ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, and dodgems. Sideshows Prepare The sideshow men spent the day preparing for the business they expect today and tomorrow. Most of them will be anxious for a fine day tomorrow to make up for the disastrous result on Show Day last year. There were no signs of animosity over the dispute between the sideshow people and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The showmen said the as- i sociation had capitulated on I the question of charges for | space and had actually re-1 duced them from $3.50 last year to $2.50 this year 'or i each foot of frontage. The association earlier decided to charge $4 a foot at this year’s show, but showmen threatened to boycott it unless the charges were reduced.

huge assembly of stock, including one of the biggest sueep ouows in the world, is well supported by stock and station firms and manufactur-1 ers of farm machinery. Safety Frames Fewer than 10 of more than ■ 50 tractors on display had ■ safety frames. A representa-I tive of one of the major ex-, hibitors said safety frames! were available for new trac-1

tors as extras but because there was nothing requiring farmers to have them the companies did not invite the purchase of the machines with the frames. A new piece of machinery on exhibition this year is a portable dynamometer, which will test the horsepower of any tractor. The machine was demonstrated on a new tractor yesterday and showed that its horsepower was three higher . than the manufacturers claimed. In all, there is equipment worth more than s2m on display. Some of the new heavy vehicles not seen at a show before demonstrate the technical advances in handling loads. Ring Events Special ring features this j’ear are inter-island polo matches and displays by Derrys Band. Yesterday the band demonstrated the ability which has made it one of the foremost in New Zealand by giving an intricate display of marching to music. A highlight of the ring events yesterday was the appearance of four Clydesdales, fully harnessed in pairs and pulling a wool tray. For sheer glamour they would knock anyone’s tractor into a cocked hat. The importance of the war against disease in farm anitnals is vividly portrayed in a comprehensive exhibit by i Lincoln College. I Visitors to the exhibition tent will see the ravages of tuberculosis on animals and how costly the disease has been to get under control. During the last 18 years sl2m has been paid in com- ; pensation and testing fees for i bovine tuberculosis.

I The effects of pneumonia jon lambs and calves make ione wonder what the corresponding organs in human beings affected look like. The exhibition also includes a chart showing the family tree of 119 breeds of dogs, with the warning that “man's best friend harbours seven types of tape worms.’’ , The chart traces dogs back Ito the first dog, believed to

have existed 15m years ago, from which the four earliest breeds of dogs originated. Samples of all grades of meat for export and home consumption are shown to demonstrate the standards which have to be maintained. A special exhibit on mountain safety vividly illustrates the hazards of going into the high country. It warns mountaineers to be thoroughly equipped and shooters to make sure they know what they are firing at before they pull the trigger. Several rifles and shotguns which shooters discharged while the barrels were clogged with dirt or snow are on display. The effects are startling. A small circus has been

brought to the show by the veteran showman, Mr Charles Ridgeway, of Melbourne, who has been in show business since he was born 51 years ago. Mr Ridgeway said he had happy memories of earlier visits to Christchurch and considered the A. and P. show one of the best in New Zealand for showmen. Another showman, Mr M. Jones, of Christchurch, who owns six of the 15 riding devices at the show, said it took four days work to prepare for one day of takings. He said he was quite happy with the arrangements at the show and would not be charging more than he did last year for rides.