New building for 1975 show

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33791, 13 March 1975, Page 10

New building for 1975 show

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Taiboys) will officially open a new, $40,000 administration and amenities building at the sixty-first annuual show of the Methven Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Saturday.

Mr Taiboys will also unveil a plaque in the building, which commemorates presidents and committee members throughout the association’s history, and their work on its behalf. The opening ceremony will be at 2 p.m. The official party will also include the two members of Parliament for the district (Mr C. C. A. McLachlan.

Rakaia, and Mr R. L. G. Talbot, South Canterbury), the Ashburton County Council chairman (Mr S. J. Letham), and executive and committee members of the association. The building will be a fine new asset for the association, which has earned a reputation for staging one of the best country shows in the

South Island. This vigorous association has more than matched the astounding growth of the Methven township and district in recent years, with the growth of its showgrounds facilities. More and more the showgrounds are becoming a year-round amenity, with a permanent rodeo arena which is nearing com-

pletion, and a caravan park in use during the last year, and still being devloped, to provide accommodation for the big influx of skiers and tourists now attracted to the district. The assocation’s president (Mr J. W. Marshall) foresees the annual shows having even more novel attractions in the near future, including full utilisation of the rodeo arena for stock car, rodeo, and other attractions, to extend the regular programme of events and attractions in the show ring and outskirts. Show night events are also a possibility. Mr Marssall, the youngest president in the association’s history, is enthusiastic about the future of the shows and the role of the showgrounds and facilities in the Methven community. “We have kept advancing, trying new ideas every year, and it certainly seems that this effort is not going to diminish,” he said. This year’s show has attracted record entries, and should prove an outstanding exhibition of quality livestock and primary produce, as well as having attractions to interest all sections of the community. The main livestock entries are well up, and the sheep section shows a 23 per cent increase over last year’s show.