FORMAL OPENING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 106, 1 November 1934, Page 4

FORMAL OPENING

LARGE ATTENDANCE

MR. J. A. NASH'S GOOD WISHES

The show was formally opened early in the afternoon by Mr. J. A.. Nash, Member of Parliament for Palmerston. North and a vice-president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He was introduced by the president,-Mr. D.~ Collis. The'ro was a large attendance' on the grounds, including a number of well-known Wellingtonians. EARLY DAYS RECALLED. * Many of tlioso present, said Mr. Nash, could remember the first show held on the grounds, which, at that time, had a very uneven surface and contained stumps and timber. The- pioneers, how-' ever, had never let up, and today the association had one of tho finest grounds in New Zealand, Those who had occupied the position of president and-had'' been on the executive had been imbued with the one idea, that of making the association's shows the leading fixture' in the Dominion, and he thought it could be said that that had been., accomplished. The depression had had its effect upon agricultural shows, making it most difficult to carry on, but an improvement Jiad taken place, and this year the en-: tries and the interest taken in the association had been most encouraging. The association had also to thank the citizens for the assistance they had rendered. Tho ltoyal Society ha'tl done much in raising the status of agricultural and pastoral shows. In his opinion tho time had arrived when the Royal Shows should bo held alternately ' between Christclmi'ch and Palmcrstoii North. Mr. Nash went on to refer to the loss that had .been sustained by the deaths of prominent show officials. Tho associa:tioii's most recent loss, he said, was: the death of Mr. Hugh Gillies, who hai been such a familiar figure in charge of tho grand parade. ? BETTER STOCK. The breed societies were deserving' of the association's best thanks for the help given by them. The improvement in stock during recent years had been very noticeable, and there were in the Manawatu district some of the leading stock breeders of New.Zealand. The, potentialities of the Manawatu were such that they wore able to producesome of the best of stock. Here at this show there !were displayed in _strilc-. ing profusion the fruits of production in., various shapes and forms. .. "

. Mr. Nash went on to refer to prol>. lems facing the primary producer, his; remarks in this connection being rcport-j ed separately. He concluded by wish-; ing the president and committee' every: success, and congratulated the presi-' dent, the secretary,'and all concerned: with the arrangements for the show.