Views On Shows . . .

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32126, 23 October 1969, Page 20

Views On Shows . . .

At many meetings since he was elected earlier this year, Mr Bayley’s theme has been that the days of a show as a purely agricultural and pastoral event are numbered. "I feel strongly that A. and P. associations must adapt themselves to the demand of the times . . . that is, they can’t be promoted purely on the basis of A. and P. interests. Fundamentally, of course, those are the prime functions of an association, but to keep them viable we have to have a wide interest and encourage wider support,” says Mr Bayley. A greater mixing of both town and country interests, at all ages, Mr Bayley feels, is essential. But this should also extend beyond an A. and P. show, since it is so important throughout the country, he says. ’■With that in view we have endeavoured to widen the programme with additional variation of pro- | gramme, especially of ring events which is being organised more or less as a non-stop entertainment to cater for all interests,” says Mr Bayley. Primarily the purpose is to give a variation on the long performance of horse events which have monopolised the ring in past years.

The Bayley Farmers . .. “Alkington” is Mr Bayley’s farm at Mairaki Downs, and was started by his grandfather in 1863. It started as a 105-acre block, bought for the princely sum of £2lO. On it he built his own home in 1865, of sod dug out of a paddock. The excavated area was filled in only 12 years ago, about the same time as the old place was burnt down, by accident. To the original block, 1100 acres have been added. The property now runs a flock of 3000 Romneys, producing their own yearly replacements. The farm has been sown in wheat on a rotational basis throughout its history. This year. 125 acres are sown in wheat. Garden peas, linseed, grass and clover seeds and lucerne are other crops being cultivated. The property is worked by Mr Bayley, his brother, a married couple, and a single employee. Mr Bayley’s son also works part-time, but he is at present in the last stages of a course at Lincoln College. All the work is done by these people, except for shearing and cutting and carting of hay. Mr Bayley is a former member of both the agricultural and provincial executives of the Federated Farmers, and for 12 years was a grower member of the New Zealand Wheat Committee.

In Other Fields ... i Mr Bayley was educated at the Fernside Primary School, and St Andrew’s College, where he played some games for the Ist XV before leaving the college during the middle term of his final year. He has retained an interest in school and educational activities—a former president of the St Andrew’s College Old Boys’ Association, and a foundation member of the Fernside Home and School Association of which he was the first chairman. He served for many years on the vestry of St John's Anglican Church, Rangiora, and was a chairman of the Rangiora Electorate of the New Zealand National Party. But as a member of the Rangiora Rotary Club, Mr Bayley has had several distinguished “successes.” In 1965-66 he was elected as district governor of District 298 (the South Island). He was only the third farmer so elected in the 42 years that Rotary had been established in New Zealand, and the first from the Rangiora club. Among his other appointments, Mr Bayley has served as the Leadership Forum moderator for Rotary International, and has been a member of the world committee of 10 of the Rotary International vocational service. He currently serves as a member of the extension committee of Rotary International.