Shows have an important place

Press, 28 March 1980, Page 14

Shows have an important place

.The retiring secretarymanager of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Mr T. M. R. Maskew, is convinced shows still have a verv important . part to play in the rural and urban communities. District shows served to bring together members of the community and metropolitan shows were the venue for displaying the cream of New Zealand’s livestock and the,mingling of urban and rural. New Zealanders, Mr Maskew said.

‘Mr Maskew’s association with, the Canterbury Agriculture and Pastoral Association .started when he was a a' five-year-old with a small pony. He was a competitor in the riding classes at the 1925 show. ’' • ' ■ Since 1945 ho has been a member of the Amberley Agricultural and Pastoral Association and is a past president. He farmed in the Waipara district between 1945 and 1962. Mr Maskew was born in Christchurch in 1920 and was educated at Christ’s College between 1934 and 1938.

He worked for a short period as a shepherd at Langley Dale station and in the Waihopai Valley before joining the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in 1940 and going overseas in 1942. He was wounded and posted back to New Zealand in 1944. He returned to shepherding before buying his farm in 1945. After selling the farm he was at a temporary ioose-end when asked to help the then secretarymanager of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, Mr H. M. Studholme, for two or three weeks prior to the Centennial Show. That short

period was extended considerably when Mr Studholme offered Mr Maskew the newly-created job of assistant secretary-man-ager. He served in that position until Mr Studholme’s retirement in 1971, when he was appointed secretary-manager. The strength of agricultural and pastoral associations lay with the members, he said. There were 120 associations in New Zealand, all with committees of 20 to 30 people, and with memberships ranging from 500 to 4000.

As individuals and as a group the members of the Canterbury association had worked extremely ■ hard during the period he was secretary-manager, said Mr Maskew. “When I started here we had assets of. $145,090, now they have grown to $745,000.” In that time' $200,000 had been contributed by members towards various projects. This included $160,000 for the centennial stand, over $20,000 (by raffle tickets) to replace the old wooden grandstand on the south side of the main oval, and $15,000 to replace various wooden amenity buildings, which had been burnt down. “Our members are givers, not takers,” . Mr Maskew said. A basic purpose of shows was to help improve livestock through competitive evaluation. This factor, which had remained unaltered for many years, was often criticised by the more scientificially minded. It was obvious that a formula, which combined visual and scientific aspects of stock evaluation, had to be found. But this would be very difficult “Show associations do

not have their collective heads in the sand over this. It is a policy of the Royal Agricultural Society that, where applicable, any aid which can assist the improvement Of stud or seed stock should be weld corned,” Mr Maskew said. The . improvement of livestock, and consequent increase in farm production for the benefit of New Zealanders, was a basic aim of agricultural and. pastoral associations. Mr Maskew said he was concerned when from time to time scientific people criticised the breed, societies.. “One factor, which cannot be ignored, is that each faction ‘ must make use of the other’s expertise and experience. The scientific people cannot pretend the breeders, with all their experience, do not exist, and, of course, the reverse is just as applicable.”

A cornerstone of successful commercial breeding was the availability of superior purebred stock. Crossbreeding, which was working very successfully on New Zealand farms, was based on purebreeds and would not be possible without them, Mr Maskew said.

While with the associ, ation Mr Maskew has been secretary of the New Zealand Sheepbreeders’ Association. This association has been going from strength to strength. There were 16 breeds with 1600 flocks, and 131,500 stud ewes, he said. The fact that the association has been involved in the development of new breeds, such as the BOrderdale (Border LeicesterCorriedale cross), showed it was looking to the future and not entrenched in

the past, Mr Maskew said. One part of A. and P. shows which . had increased dramatically during his period in office were the equestrian events, Mr Maskew said. Pones, in particular, had improved/arid the horse events, -in general, 'were providing some exciting competitions for show patrons, . One aspect of the pony events, which . concerned him was the „ pressure’ placed On some young competitors to succeed. This excessive pressure came from, parents .who, understandably, were keen to 'see their children do well.

Unfortunately children could react to this by losing their love for animals and pleasure in competition, Mr Maskew said. Shows provided young children with ponies with an" opportunity to compete with the pony they had put a lot of work into; a chance to improve their riding and preparation; and a chance to make new contacts with other riders, he said.

During the 18 years Mr Maskew has worked for the Canterbury association there have been a number of highlights for him. These included helping organise the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth conference in Christchurch in 1973, being involved in the launching of the Canterbury Court exhibitions, which have been held at every show since 1971 and have helped diminish the gap between rural and urban dwellers; and encouraging school children to visit the show. School, children visited the Canterbury show in official parties on the first day. Each year between 7000 and 8000 children were escorted in groups by Young Farmers’ Club memners. who explained the details of the sheep, cattle and machinery exhibits..

, This scheme had been very popular and had brought about an increased awareness of the show. The annually increasing attendances at the show reflected this, Mr Maskew said. But perhaps one of the things that had given him most pleasure during, his term as secretary-manager of the association had been the many friends he had made. Mr Maskew said he had also been extremely fortunate with the assistance he received from his staff. They were all particularly loyal and long-serving. “My job was made very’ easy because of them,” he said. Mr Maskew will be succeeded by Mr N. Woods, who has been his assistant since 1971. His family has had a long tissociation with the agricultural industry. His grandfather founded the grain business, G. -H, Woods, Ltd, in 1880. \ .jAfter leaving . Christchurch Boys’ High School, Mr Woods spent 22 year? with the family business. , He said he realised he ■had “very hard shoes to fill” in succeeding Mr Maskew.