Farmers’ Day business brisk

Press, 13 November 1981, Page 8

Farmers’ Day business brisk

An impending election and poor economic forecasts appear to have had little effect on farmers, judging by the brisk business at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Show yesterday.

Day two of the show is traditionally Farmers’ Day, when the rural landowners come to town to survey the exhibits and place orders for stock and equipment. “The market appears to be just as buoyant as last year,” said the manager of the machinery division of Wrightson N.M.A. (Mr Russell Gray). “There does not seem to be the number of people around this year, but the ones that have come are quality. They are here to buy,” he said. Although most of the purchasing appeared to be for equipment in the low to middle price range (up to $6000), many farmers take this opportunity to “size up the market.” . One farmer, looking at a $60,000 tractor, said the show gave him an excellent opportunity to compare the full range of equipment.

This year the number of exhibitors is up by 15 to 165, and one of the new companies to have a display at~ the show, N.Z. Forest Products, is pleased with the business generated and the large number of inquiries for its farm buildings and water tanks. Gate takings yesterday were $27,729, compared with $20,053 last year. Mr N. M. Woods, the association’s .director, .said the attendance was about the same both years but the increase in entrance fee was the reason for the jump in takings. Although the weather was dull and overcast for much of the day a large proportion of the crowd stayed late, by which time the cloud had lifted and the sun shone. Many children, with a day off school, came to the show. The entertainment area was their mecca, whether they were trying their skill at the

many games available or having their stomachs turned upside down on the rides that were on offer. Their luck was out, however, at the display by Barker’s Wines in Canterbury Court where discerning drinkers over the age of 20 tickled their palates with free samples of fruit wine. Just outside the pavilion an enormous Simmental bull would lower its head like a playful kitten to allow eager children to pat him. Three people were taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance during the afternoon, but none was reported to be in serious condition. One person felt faint, the other tripped and received minor injuries while the third collapsed. It was not so quiet for the lost children section. By late afternoon 14 children had turned up at the tent, temporarily parentless, but they reunited.