Egmont A. and P. Association’s Jubilee Show SHOW’S EARLY HISTORY (Cont’d.)

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 7 November 1933, Page 11

Egmont A. and P. Association’s Jubilee Show

SHOW’S EARLY HISTORY (Cont’d.)

It was resolved to apply to the race course trustees for leave to hold tli< first show on the racecourse. so thai tfie committee would be free to clioosi between all available sites. At the next meeting, held on July 19, 1884, the following resolution was carried unanimously: “That the com nuttee proposes to hold its first show (fand if they deem it advisable alsc subsequent shows) on . the Elgmonf Racecourse, provided that a definite agreement be drawn up and signed by Mr yantbam and the trustees of the racecourse conceding to the association the right to remove all yards ox other fixtures erected bv the A. and Association, and that the racecourse trustees shall decide on the annual fee to be paid by the association for the right to hold a show or shows pn the racecourse.” Messrs. Hunter, Yorlce, Bate and the secretary were appointed a sub-committee to make necessary arrangements for the use of the racecourse as a show ground, and to call a meeting of the working committee immediately thereafter. At a meeting of the Hawera Borough Council held on August 6, 1884, a, letter was received from Mr Morecroft, secretary to the A. and P. Association, asking the council’s terms, if any, for a lease of, say, five acres of the recreation reserve for show purposes, with full particulars; also asking whether the council would grant a lease of the section of 5 acres on the south side of High Street, opposite the recreation grounds. After a brief discussion, the council resolved, on the motion of Crs. Winks and Mfijor, that the association’s committee be granted the iiso of a 5-acre section then vacant for show purposes should they* require it. On OctoDer 2b the “Star” was pleased to observe that the townspeople,

wishing to make the A. and P. show as successful as possible, had decided to close their premises on iNovember 4 (the day of the show), and that a petition had been presented to tlie Mayor, who had declared a half-lioli-day on that day. It was understood that some arrangement would be made for closing the banks on the same day. —" ~~ “—--

At a meeting held on October 29 it was stated that the entries totalled nearly 400. These were classified and pumber of class stewards were appointed to manage the different matters It was decided that all money prizes for hacks, jumping and produce won bv non-residents be mid on the ground after 4 o’clock. The following morning the committee visited the ground and mapped out the iyprking of the show.

THE FIE ST SHO W

After two months or more of careful preparation and great anxiety on fhe part of the committee of management, reports the “Star” of .November 4, the first show of the newlyformed Agricultural and Pastoral Association has become a thing of the past, and the promoters of the asso ciation may Oongratulatp themselves on their efforts having been crowned with success. Everything seems to have gone. well. Firstly, the public subscribed liberally to permit the association to build its yards and make the necessary arrangements; the entries came in in very large numbers, and finally the day for the show proved fine, and the public showed their appreciation of the efforts of the promoters by turning up in large numbers. “Sever perhaps in the history of Hawera has there been such a cfowd within its walls as assembled yesterday at the show grounds, and it is’ estimated that fully 15(X> people were present,” says the. “Star.” But even mote than lor the number oi people present are the committee to be congratulated on the quality of the | stock exhibited. \\ e heard it remai n ed 'by "old farmers, that it was tin Best show they had ever seen on tin coast between Wellington and Auckland! It is impossible to say that there were no hitches or mistakes. b.;i these may be avoided in future. 3iore accommodation in the way of vards i> feqiii’red. After touching liehtfk or some little trouble arising out of the judges’ decisions, the report says that such troubles were encountered at every show, and, taken as a whole, the asso ciation was to be congratulated on the efforts of the judges. From the way in which this point is laboured in tin repqrt'. there was more than a mur mifr of discontent. “It is to he lmrmd, said the “Star,” “that any exhibitors wju» may feel aggrieved on this account will not let fhe fact cause any estrangement between them and the association,

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- who, they may rest assured, are no j to blame.” Special praise was givei t to Mr. E. Gower, who at a moment’ ; notice took the office of secretary, ren i dered vacant two or three days befori r i the show by the death of the previou ; holder, Mr Morecroft The grounds a ■ 1 the disposal of the association provec ■, inadequate, and it was stated that tin • area of 5 acres should be increased t< ; 10, and it was suggested that th( i Borough Council, in letting the adjoin , ing sections should make some Stipu :' lation for their use for three days ; ' yejfr for show purposes. ■ Lr At a meeting of the Association helc fon November 22 the secretary reportec •i a credit balance in hand, after pay ing prizes and all expenses, of abou' 1 £25, and debts outstanding due tc 'the association amounted-to a furthei | £l2O. I The following acted as judges at the •show: Cattle, Messrs. E. Campbell, C Cameron and W. T. Owen; sheep Messrs. W. Wilson, R. K. Simpson and J. Riddel; thoroughbred horses i Messrs. Hatley, Reid and O’Hawes: draught horses,. D. G. Greig, A Munro, and J. Stevenson; produce. Messrs. Cummins, Hulke and R. Cock: implements, Messrs. Kelland, Forsyth and Lambie; dogs, Messrs. W. T. Owen and A. Colson. COMBINED SHOWS MOOTED. According to an article in the “Star” on August 26, 1884, the question of whether it would be better to hold one cattle show yearly for the whole coast, to be called the West Coast Cattle Show, and to be supported by the several A. and P. Associations jointly, was again raised by the secretary of the Wanganui Association, Mr F. R. Jackson, who had written to the Egmont Association expressing the opinion that it was a mistake to hold a number of petty shows on the coast In reply a let- ! ter was sent suggesting that the three | associations—Wanganui, Patea, and ! Hawera—should be asked to consider I a proposal to assist each other’s show | for three years by subsidising the ceni tral or Royal show for the year by either £SO or £IOO each. Commenting upon this the “Star” says: “It so happens that neither the Wanganui nor the Patea association is financially very strong. In consequence, it is doubtful whether either of them will hold a show this year, or whether they may not, yet agree to unite their forces and hold a joint show. If a combination is effected it would be a pity to have the Egmont Association excluded, and it would be worth while to try and arrange terms which, would.be suitable in the future, even if not’ applicable now.” On September 6 it was recorded that a reply had been received from the Patea Association, stating that they did not consider any central West Coast show could be held conveniently until after through rail wav communication had been established, but next, year they would consider any such pro-j

ppsal. Y The question of a central show was “much under discussion about this time and a paragraph appeared in the “Star” on June 3 stating that the Taranaki Agricultural Society seemed to be in a bad way, and that recently a discussion had taken place on whether it would be advisable -o con ■ tinue the spring show. This opened up the general question, and during the debate Mr C. W. Govett said he thought the proper course would be to arrange to have shows alternately at Hawera, Patea, and New Plymouth. Mi' Olson said he fancied that Hawera was aiming at having a central show, and the collapse of the Taranaki show would be backing them up. Mr IJewley said he would sooner see a central show at Hawera than such miserable shows as there had been lately. It was eventually decided to make another effort to get up a good spring show at New Plymouth.

At a meeting of the Egmont Assoi ition on June 20, Mr Yorke. vico•'resident. read a letter from the Pnf.3a Association asking the Egmont Association to consider the question of amalgamating and holding altern>to shows at Hawera and Patea, and f the proposal were favourably entertained ren besting that delegates be appointed to arrange terms and meet ■■olegates from Patea at Hawera on a •lav to fce fixed. Mr. Livingston pointed out that uncortunately when the matter was under discussion before, the Egmont As•ecintion had neglected to include New Plymouth in the proposed’ scheme, and the.Taranaki Association'