MANAWATU SHOW

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 108, 3 November 1939, Page 13

MANAWATU SHOW

SUCCESSFUL OPENING

EARLY HISTORY RECALLED

WEATHER S3TAYS FINE

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

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

Breabking the long-standing habit of the Manawatu of indifferent weather for the opening of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Spring Show, the first day of the Centennial fixture went through without mishap so far as the weather was concerned yesterday. Quality was in keeping with the healthy increase in entries, and apart from a curtailment in the number of sideshows the opening of the event was quite as successful as in other years. Many factors, of course, should have militated against success this year, but the increased entries are sufficient indication of the intention of the association, backed by farmers and industrialists, 40 maintain normal activities.

Particularly noticeable was the more than usually excellent display df agricultural implements. A large area has aways been occupied by various firms, but this year several machines not previously exhibited were to be seen, most of them in action.

It is doubtful if a more attractive and spacious industrial hall than that at the show exists in any other agri; cultural and pastoral > association's buildings. The necessary elimination of exhibits only applicable to a winter show has increased room and given opportunity for greater freedom of display. The wool classes dominate the produce hall, and the sections for home industries, horticulture, and technical school work have been arranged with an excellent eye for effect.

The main judging of the show was done yesterday. Cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, and dogs -vvere put through, in every class the standard being highAlso judged were the home cookery, needlework; photography, and schools' sections. The maiden hunters' and ladies' hunters' competitions and a saddle trotting race and leaping competition were the principal events on the oval, variety, coming from a motor-cycle r chariot race. ASSOCIATION'S HISTORY. The show was officially opened in the afternoon by Mr. R. S. Abraham, an 88-year-old member of the first meeting held, in 1885, to discuss the advisability of fMining an association, which would; hold its Shows on the reserve of nine acres facing Cuba Street, allocated for that purpose when the city was'first laid out., The tecobrds bf the .first ten years of the association's history had been taken to Wellington and never returned, said Mr. Abraham. The survivors of the 1885 meeting were Mr. J. H. Marshall, of Rangitikei, and himself. Mr. M. A. Conway, of Cheltenham, joined tlie committee soon afterwards, and was still a member of the committee after fifty years' devoted service. Mr. Abraham , mentioned several energetic men who had helped to build up the association. Dealing with the ¥esftttsrpattly~br wholly realised from the first meeting, he said the main points were:— The healthy competition instituted among farmers. The Winter Show, first opened in 1902, an inestimable benefit to dairy farmers throughout the North Island. The Royal Show, advocated by Sir J. G. Wilson, Sir William Perry, and a few enthusiasts, and first opened in Palmerston North in 1924, the establishment of which had greatly assisted the export of stud sheep and cattle to different parts of the world. The Young Farmers'. Clubs, excellent institutions, which w^re worthy of every support and which would produce great results in the future. CONTRAST IN PRICES. Another result, said Mr. Abraham, was' the great evolution which the Show had helped to work in the knowledge of better farming methods, which, it. must be admitted, had been far below those practised in the South Island. In those days the ordinary price for a bull, if one were wanted for a herd, was £1, and a ram would cost about 10s. Contrast those prices with the thousand guineas paid in the Dominion for a Polled Angus bull, or the 500 guineas realised by 2 Southdown ram at a clearing sale —a world record price, he believed, for that class of ram. " Hundreds of stud farms had been started'and carried on with success, until it was now recognised that the Dominion, with its wonderful climate and natural feed, was the best stud breeding; country ih the Southern Hemisphere. ' A further result -vsras the establishment of the stud stock associations, whose decisions were accepted practically all oyer the world. A cousin j of his who farmed in Kenya was a member of the New Zealand Romney Marsh Association because there was nothing of the sort in that country. , The crowning result of the many valuable shows held in Palmerston North, said Mr. Abraham, was the establishment of Massey Agricultural College in the fine grounds of Mr. Peter McbHardy's home, just outside the city's boundaries. He had mentioned those matters because Palmerston North business men should realise the enormous lift the shows had been to the city.

Other l'emarks made v by Mr. Abraham were reported, in "The Post" yesterday.