MANAWATU JUBILEE SHOW

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 112, 7 November 1935, Page 23

MANAWATU JUBILEE SHOW

RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES

PROGRESSIVE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION

(From "The Post's" Special Reporter.)

PALMERSTON NORTH. This Day.

An agricultural and pastoral association show is a striking symbol of the resources of a farming district. If, therefore, the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association's Spring Show is among the best and greatest in New Zealand it is because it is representative and typical of the greatest and best agricultural and pastoral district in the Dominion. This year's show, which opened today, is a particularly important one, for it marks the golden jubilee of the association. All great things commence from a small beginning, but with the proper care and handling they will develop into' a powerful influence in the scheme of things. This has been the case with the Manawatu Show Association, which has progressed rapidly since its birth in 1886 under the guidance of energetic men with initiative arid vision. .. Fify years ago much of the Manawatu district was still covered with heavy bush with a fringe of fern and scrub land. Today almost :the whole of the land has been cleared arid cultivated in a practical and scientific way. The transformation from virgin bush to pastoral lands, fenced and improved, with homesteads, gardens, and plantations, roads, bridges, and railways, all took place< within the first thirty years of the real settlement of the district. Since then, however, the expenditure of energy and capital on development has been enormous, until today the district, with one of the largest inland towns in the country as its centre, is probably the largest and best developed in the Dominion. : The show itself stands for more than the Manawatu districtsstands as the great shuw for the North Island, and it numbers among Us exhibitors some from the South Island also. °V

Progressivehess has always been one of the chief considerations of the association, and this year, conscious of the importance of the occasion and with its: customary enterprise, the officials havemade special efforts to arrange a programme of competitions and jubilee attractions which cater for all interests. ■■..". RAPID PROGRESS. • Along with other organisations, the association, during the past few years, felt the burden placed upon if by the changed, economic conditions, but with the initiative, energy, and foresight that characterised the efforts of the early show promoters, the presentday, officials have guided the affairs 01 the association along the right channels. ;For a great many years now the spring show of the association has played an important part in maintaining the quality of stock in the district and .disseminating knowledge of modern farm practice.

Although it commenced its operations in i» humble way, the association progressed- rapidly ■ and has won for itself'an honoured place in the life of the community. No item that was considered to affect the welfare of agriculturists or pastoralists was ever shelved, and the pursuit of this policy throughout the years has resulted La distinct benefits being conferred upon farmers in. general.

,With the passage of time the quality of the stock in the Manawatu has continued to. improve, a fact which in a large measure is attributable to the spirit of friendly rivalry engendered by, the annual show conducted by the A. and P. Association. This show provides a means whereby the farmer and the town dweller may be brought to a better understanding of each other's problems. The one is able to see the best in stock and agricultural products and the other to see at first-hand the-results of the labour of the man on the land. It is a noteworthy fact that in .this country, perhaps more than in any other, the bond between the city dweller and. the farmer is exceedingly close, and A. and P. associations can claim a great deal of credit for .this satisfactory state of affairs. "Meeting1 each other on more or' less common ground, it is comparatively easy for both, to appreciate the efforts of the

other and to realise that each tc a large extent is dependent on the other.: . PEOPLE'S DAY TOMO^KOW. . With its beautiful green sward the show grounds presented an attractive' scene, the recent rains having promoted a vigorous growth of grass. A record crowd :is expected tomorrow, which is People's Day. The weekly half-holiday is usually observed on Wednesday in Palmerston North, but as the main day of the'show is tomorrow,, those concerned allowed the holiday to stand over until then. - The grani total of entries is 5231, which constitutes a record for New Zealand., The figures show h substantial increase on those foi last year and are more than 1000 ahead of the 1933 spring show. In almost every section there is a marked increase in entries, particularly in the horse; cattle, and pig sections. In the art, fancy needlework, and home industries sections the entries are also good.

In to the competitive exhibits, the association's commodious buildings house- many trade exhibits which are attracting the keenest attention. The motor exhibition and the display of modern farm machinery and implements are notable features of the show Inside features include wool-classing .demonstration, wool-spinning . demonstration, hall of agriculture, free theatre entertainment, dog show, and many other interesting events Among the outside features set down are a sheep-shearing competition, trotting and pacing exhibitions, steer riding ; and stock drafting, Highland and national dancing, cycle and wheelbarrow races, gymnastic display,l ana a number of high-class sideshows, without which no show is complete.;