Exhibitors up on last year

Press, 20 March 1987, Page 23

Exhibitors up on last year

Exhibitors have once again given good support to the Hawarden Agricultural and Pastoral Show, the third on the North Canterbury autumn show circuit.

Entries are up on the previous year, with 2533 entries being received, compared with 2397 in 1986.

Some of the increase can be attributed to a big gain of 100 entries in the photographic section. The secretary, Mrs E. M. Earl, said that there had been a lot of interest in the section during recent years, with many enthusiasts from in and outside the district entering.

Entries in the hack section have increased, while there has been a decline in the pony class.

Nineteen entries have been received for the allbreeds junior bull competition. A junior heifer class has also received an enthusiastic response, with eight entries. This is a new class sponsored by Wrightson Dalgety, although it was included on an informal basis last year.

A purebred ram lamb class for a lamb most suitable for the export trade is also a new class to appear on the show schedule.

The president of the Hawarden A. and P. Association, Mr Peter Gardner, initiated the move to have it added to thr .how •*— ' tr

.ie show programme to encourage exhibitors to produce a sire that would leave progeny most suitable for the export trade, where the emphasis is now on a lean meat product, not on fat lambs.

Thirty-nine entries have been received for the class, which is sponsored by C. S. Stevens, and judged by them.

The interest in exhibiting wool continues to increase at all the autumn

shows, while goats are also becoming a very popular class as farmers seek to diversify and broaden their farming practices for greater economic returns.

The home industry and arts sections have also been well supported. A new class for children’s handcrafts has boosted entries and has received 24 entries.

Wine making is proving to be popular and entries have increased by 10. It seems many people are trying their hand at their own brew as the economic squeeze is put on the home purse. Mr Gardner said he was thrilled with the entries, considering the general farming scene which was hurting many farmers.

An attraction for horse enthusiasts will be the final round of the Apex Tyres, Ltd, F.E.I. event, which began three weeks ago at the Amuri Show. People interested in arts and crafts will be able to browse in the pavilion at displays put on by a local group. There will be dyeing, weaving, rug making, pottery and other handcrafts on display.

For the children, there will be all the fun of the fair with the usual side shows and stalls. Local sports groups will also be on hand with chocolate wheels and other fundraising activities.