Shows in the Manawatu

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 47, 26 February 1936, Page 10

Shows in the Manawatu

SPACE LETTING FREELY FOR WINTER EVENT.

DATES NOT QUITE PINAL FOR

SPRING FIXTURE.

Mr Jos. Batchelar presided over a good attendance of members of the committee of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association yesterday. The meeting welcomed Messrs E. A. Shand and R. P. Connell to a seat on the committee, the president expressing his confidence that both would render valuable assistance to the association. A communication wap received from Mr W. J. Blundell conveying regret at the great damage done to the association’s property by the storm. His first thought had been as to where they would get the money to pay for repairs. He hoped the A. and P. Association and the Manawatu Racing Club would be able to get the permit for the proposed art union.

A similar message of sympathy and of good wishes for financial recovery was received from tho Wairarapa and East Coast A. and P. Association. The Palmerston North Horticultural Society promised an exhibit at the winter show in the horticultural societies’ display, if there' was again such a class on the schedule. Spring Dates.

The Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand asked for show dates for the 193 G-37 season, as it was ■ compiling a list of fixtures to avoid possible clashing.—The reply was that the Manawatu show would be on November 4,5, and 6, or November 5,6, and 7. Thoro was some discussion on tho best dates, and even a suggestion from one member that the fixture be reduced to two days. Final decision was deferred however pending the report of a special committee which is at. present investigating several financial problems.

The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board advised that at a recent meeting it was decided to thank those A, and P. Associations’ conducting the district lamb competition for 1935, on the splendid manner in which they had conducted the entries. The board regarded these competitions as being of great value in educating farmers,- and even if a district did not win the shield it. was assisting the Dominion to improve the quality of New Zealand’s export lamb. The secretary, Mr H. B. Kissling, submitted the following report:— Golden jubilee spring show: Work, both clerical and manual connected with this show has now been completed. All prize money has been paid, special trophies handed to the winners, cups and medals engraved and the show fittings restored to their proper places. Show buildings: The hurricane on February, 2 caused serious loss to the association. The whole of tho member’s grandstand roof was blown qff, the sale ring roof collapsed, the roofing iron on horse boxes facing south-east was blown off, tho workshop and store sheds adjoining it were partly demolished, several portions of showground boundary fence were blown down and many valuablo trees were uprooted. Sheets of iron were loosened on a number of other buildings. Several slates were dislodged from the Breeders’ Club roof and the rough-cast on the Wheeler memorial pavilion was severely damaged. Several skylights on the winter show buildings were broken but this was the only apparent damage .to these buildings. Preliminary action in connection with the damage was taken by order of an emergency meeting of finance committee on February 5. Speedway meetings: Three have boen held in February, the commission to our association amounting to £6B. Mr H. E. Edmunds reports that arrangements are completed for several more meetings .this season. He has arranged for Putt Mossman to appear at this speedway in the 1937 season and can assure the association of a full programme on the track for 1937. The member’s stand has been cleared of wreckage and has been used as an openair stand at each speedway meeting. Grass in oval: A marked improvement is noticeable in the oval as a result of the top-dressing, resowing and mowing carried out by the sub-commit-tee. There is a good take of new grass on the top-dressed area. Prospects for coming winter show: The dairy section schedule was issued this month and advices already to hand indicate strong competition. Quite a number of stands in the industrial halls have been let recently and with a big percentage of permanent stalls there is very little space still to be let in .the machinery hall. The motor olympia will again be staged at the winter show.

Model aeroplane section: The schedule for this section (already issued) includes a class for which Union Airways have donated a solid silver challenge cup and a return flight on any section of Union Airways route to the winner each year. The competition this year is for a non-flying scale model of a Union Airways D.H. 86 express air liner. Many enquiries have already been received for scale drawings of the liners. The Manawatu Aero Club has also donated a free flight in a “Moth” aeroplane as a special prize in another class. This section is bound to be a very attractive one at the winter show.

Shows visited: Since last meeting I have attended the Levin, Marton, Feilding, Woodville, and Dannevirke shows.

New members: As much of my time as possible has been devoted to canvassing for new members. It has been diflicult to obtain the help of committeemen owing to pressure of farm work. Thirty-six members have been enrolled for the 1936-37 season.

Congratulations were expressed to the sub-committee which under Mr J. J. Stevenson had no greatly improved the grass in the oval.