President keeps an eye on growth of the show

Press, 28 October 1977, Page 17

President keeps an eye on growth of the show

Although Mr Duncan Abbott is always one to foster interest in the Amberley Show, he is very glad the day this year coincides with the Ashburton Show.

As president of the Amberley Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Mr Abbott has spent most uf his 20-year involvement responsible for the show car parking. A good way to measure the growth of such an event.

“At the present time we can cope, but I’m pleased Ashburton is on or we wouldn’t be able to,” said the man who has seen the day when cars parked only in the arena and now are “all over the place.”

Mr Abbott has also seen the day when most of the exhibits and official business for the show took place in a small shed, at the north end of the domain.

Since then the Domain Advisory Board has been formed and as the A. and P. representative, Mr

Abbot has played an active part in gaining the extensions to the pavilion.

The A. and P. Association built the “corrugated iron hay barn” for their extensive displays in 1973. Since then the 4000 sq. ft has been floored, lighted, heated and basic facilities added.

Today the pavilion is in sparkling condition. A birthday present of a sort to the 75th Amberley show.

The newly completed $14,000 extension includes a kitchen, toilets, shower and storeroom. Many clubs make use of the pavilion. There are three badminton courts and it has been said the floor provides one of the best indoor bowls areas in New Zealand. Beautification of the Domain is also on the plate of the Advisory Board. A new tree planting programme and a plan to incorporate part of the Kowai River into the Domain and the provision of a bridle path along its

banks are presently underway.

And even more extensions are in the pipeline. The A. and P. Association wants a similar extension on the north of the building for storage and an administration office.

Although the pavilion will be bursting with new facilities tomorrow, the secretary’s office is based in a room of the neighbouring football hall. Local help figured highly in the acquisition of the new extension. Since the plan was first evaluated costs nearly doubled and local builder, Mr Bill Bedford, played a large part in cheapening expenses.

And it has only taken twelve months for Amberley to raise $4900 towards the extension. Mr Abbott hopes a similar amount of money can be raised during the next 12 months, the A. and P. Association will start the ball rolling by donating some of this year’s gate takings to the cause.

For the 13 competition sections there has been 2222 entries recorded. This number is 72 entries up on last year. Cattle, horses, sheep, dogs, stock trials, wool, grain, cookery, art and craft, art, photography, homecraft, and the produce trial all promise to provide something that will interest every person who visits the show tomorrow. |

Farmers may be interested in the Booroola display. This strain of Merino is a low liveweight, high fertility and precocious animal. They can drop as many as five lambs at a time and selected sheep would give a lambing percentage of at least 200. These animals will be displayed along with some Saanon goats.

Gate prices are up this year. Last year $lOOO was made in gate takings and the association hopes to make a bit more. Only the adult entry fee will alter — from 80c to $l.