MASTERTON SHOW

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 116, 14 February 1928, Page 6

MASTERTON SHOW

HISTORY OF ASSOCIATION FORTY-TWO YEARS OF PROGRESS Masterton, February 13. That two large agricultural and pastoral bodies, with their showgrounds only ten miles apart, can operate harmoniously and successfully, conduct their own fixtures, and fully engage their time to the benefit of the farming and general community of the Wairarapa, is a stiikiug indication of the importance of that district as an agricultural and pastoral centre. Toward the end of last year the Wairarapa Pastoral and Agricultural Association, Carterton, conducted its jubilee fixture, and now, on February 14 and 15, the Masterton A. and P. Association will hold its forty-first annual exhibition, for which record entries have been received. The Masterton Asociation has long been recognised as a live and progressive body, fully seized oi the responsible charge of assisting to the utmost the interests of its district, and that a great deal lias been achieved is shown by the strong position which the organisation enjoys to-day. Through its efforts the Dominion-wide reputation of the Wairarapa district for live stock and farm products has been considerably enhanced by its own products being brought into competition with those of breeders and exhibitors from other districts, which latter have benefited materially also. Further for the educational

Patron of the Masterton A. and P. Association, and one of its original members, benefit of the farming community are being introduced at this year’s fixture, affording an example which might well be followed by other organisations yitli similar interests. In like way, the whole endeavour of the association throughout its career, lias been to develop the standard of primary industries, and for tins reason it has gained for itself a position inseparable from the prosperity of the district as a whole. The Early Stages. The Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was inaugurated on September 26, 1885. On that date, advice having been received from the Wairarapa Association that it did not intend removing its show to Masterton, a meeting was held under the presidency of Mr. T. E. Chamberlain. At that meeting it was decided to form an asso ciation to conduct a show in Masterton, and this was subsequently held in the new saleyards of Lowes and lorns (the state of the present playing fields of the Wairarapa High School), on November 25 of the same year. Tho following were the first officers elected:—President, Mr. R. S. Hawkins (Rowlands); vice-presidents, Messrs. Edwin Meredith and B. P. Perry; treasurer, Mr. M. Caselberg; secretary, Mr. Richard Fit ton; auditors, Messrs. J. Brown aud W. Sellar; general committee, Messrs. A. W. Cave, D. Carman, T. E. Cham-

berlain, R. K. Chamberlain. N. R. Elder, A. A. Elkins, F. B. Chambers, Farquhar Gray, D. Guild,, ,T. Hessey, W. Torus, Alex. Johnston. W. Lowes, Jame o Macara, R. R. Meredith, John Morrison, James Muir, Charles Macquarrie, Thomas Parsons, J. Rayner, F. Shaw, James Stuckey, J. C. Vallance, J. Vile, A. W. Walker, and R. R. Welch. Tn the first year a committee was appointed to canvass for prizes, ami the result was most promising, the movement being wel] received by the members of the community generally. The first balance-sheet was presented in 1887, when it was shown that £ll4 had been received in subscriptions, £76 in donations, £ll4 in the sale of privileges, and £9B from entrance fees. At this date the assets were £l2O, with a bank overdraft of £l9. Amalgamation Fails. In 1888 the question arose as to the adpisability of amalgamating with the Wairarapa Association, and on this pont there was a great dfference of opinion. Mr. J. Stuckey, who was nominated for the presidency, said he was not satisfied with the position at that time, and suggested the appointment of a committee to arrange for tho holding of one show in the district annually. The matter was considered several times, luit as no finality was reached, Mr. Stuckey declined to accept the presidency. Upon Mr. William Lowes being appointed to the position of president, he endeavoured to rectify the position by having the question fought out. by the members Matters progressed slowly, hut in 1889 a special committee, appointed to negotiate with the Wairarapa Association. brought down a report embodying the following alternative proposals:—. That the two associations amalgamate on the condition that alternative shows bo held at Carterton and Maserton; that alternative shows be held for four rears, each association handing over a sum, to he fixed every alternate year; that tho bodies amalgamate with a view to obtaining a new showgrounds at a suitable nlnce, not at Carterton or Masterton. The committee added that it strongly questioned the wisdom of continuing two shows at that time, thereby causing what it regarded as the overlapping of interests

The Mnsterton Association adopted the third proposal, namely, that the two bodies amalgamate, and procure new showgrounds. The following vear. the association’s ram fair having developed, a committee was appointed to negotiate with the Wairarapa Association in the, .matter, and the suggestion of that body'

was that the associations unite to hold the shows in Carterton and the ram fairs in Masterton. This proposal proving not acceptable to the Masterton Association, all attempts at amalgamation were drop, ped, and the Masterton Association proceeded to develop its own resources independently. New Grounds Obtained. Its shows having been profitable, the association in 1891 called for tenders for a showground as a permanent site, it being eventually decided to buy from Mr. Richard McKenzie twenty acres of land in Dixon Street (where the Memorial Park now stands), the prices being £3O per acre. Up to 1897 the association had held its show in the spring, but in that year it changed over to tlig autumn, an arrangement that has obtained ever since. The association then had a surplus of £7OO, and new sheepyards costing £3S9, were erected. In December, Mr. J. McGregor urged that the association take in hand a programme of ground improvements, mentioning the need for a grandstand. By 1900 the new grounds were still undeveloped, but the association was at that time concerned with accumulating assets. However, a loan of £lOOO was arranged, and this amount was expended on the grounds. From this point considerable progress was made, and the show of 1901 was a Dominion record for live stock entries, which totalled 701. Tn the following year the fixture was extended over two days, 41 new classes being added, and the prize money increased to £BOO. As a result the show was a pronounced success, entries being made from all over the Wellington province. More money was spent on ground improvements, and the annual meeting was enthusiastic, a profit of £352 being shown on the year’s working. . In 1904 a further thirteen acres in Dixon Street were bought from the McKenzie Estate for £1721. or £125 per acre At this time the membership of the association was 786. In 1904 a grandstand was erected, costing £5OO. Location Altered. A decision of moment was reached in 1908, when the association decided to procure tho present grounds at Solway, the ballot beihg in favour of purchasing 75 acres. The old showgrounds were offered to the Borough Council, but as the offer was not accepted, a syndicate made the purchase for £6OOO, and with this money the association was able to obtain the Solway property. The laying-out of the grounds was a large undertaking, and valuable assistance in this connection was given by Air. J. Al. Johnston, of Palmerston North who was made a life member. In 1909 the buildings were removed io the new site, and the work generally carried out by day labour, in the first year after the removal. £6446 was spent in developing the grounds, the finances of the association being considerablv streng- . thened by the donation of £lBOO from • the syndicate which bought the Dixon ; Street property. ' In 1911 as many as 155 new members I were elected, and twelve months Inter ' the roll had grown to 1200. Since then considerable progress has been made by the association, ne.w members continually being, added, and various improvements carried out. The ram fair grew in proportion, until to-day it is sought by breeders all over New Zealand. Tho Masterion Agricultural and Pastoral Association is to-day at the height of its usefulness and service, and with a strong bodv of workers is performing a valuable function to the district and community.