Looking Back 35 Years

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 132, 7 June 1939, Page 6

Looking Back 35 Years

Peeps at Second Winter Show TIMES HAVE BROUGHT MANY CHANGES “He then turned on the steam that supplied the motive power, to - start the machinery in motion.” In that fashion the Minister of Agriculture of the day, Hon. T. Y. Duncan, opened officially Palmerston North’s se£ond Winter Show one day in July, 1904. It was another mile-stone passed in the history of the then borough and the progress of the Manawatu. The press records of the event state that the exhibition was an unqualified success as had also been the first show in July, 1903. Hon. Mr. Duncan’s words were:

“Never in my life have I seen anything like the present show. Nothing that is necessary for the dairy-farmer seems to be missing.” To-day, of course, we can disagree with that pronouncement, science having not only exacted its demands for additional and better farm equipment but at the same time provided it.

In the light of industrial and farming progress, the accounts of what the winter show's of those days provided by way of instruction, make interesting reading. Records one report: “Engines of all makes and for all purposes are displayed with a profusion somewhat bewildering to the ordinary spectator.” Another announcement stated: “Mr. W. McC representative of W.A.R. and Co. exhibiting oil engines, has just returned from a month’s trial of a fiveton motor-lorry running between Rahotu and New Plymouth and will be glad to give information to any who aro interested.”

Trains from both up and down the line brought in large contingents of visitors. In dozens of nooks and crannies there was tho irrepressible phonograph; in a convenient situation a returned trooper, disabled, enlivening his listeners and waking the echoes with the strains of “Killarney”; and so on. At no time were the alley ways passable without exertion and loss of much time to those not intent upon sight-seeing. The lighting of the 1904 Show demanded special reference in the newspaper columns. Gas was installed, the total candle power being estimated at 20,000. The display of lighting is described as brilliant and constituting one of the biggest attempts at illumination in the colony.

And while the motor-car takes pride of place in present-day exhibitions, 1904 saw the horse-drawn vehicle commanding attention. There were many businesses showing their workmanship— Burlington dogcarts, pony Bradleys, sliding body Bradleys, York carts, rustic carts, Napier gigs, Stanhope gigs, Speedy gigs, Spindle sulkies, and so on. Talking of horse-drawn locomotion, an announcement stated that Woodfield’s Hospital and Terrace End buses would be observing the regular timetable during Show week. One report gives quite an amount of space to tho big cheese that was made a feature of the earlier shows of the Manawatu A. and P. Association. Those in charge were kept busy chopping off lumps of Ngaere’s best at a shilling a time. With a fairly formidable piece of cheese in their possession, customers lost no time in commencing the work of dissection in tho eager search for lucre. Jumping into the first convenient corner small boys would produce pocket-knives and cut away the cheese in such a manner that no chance was left for even the nimble “thrum” to escape them. If successful in the search it was hailed with delight. The National Dairy Association conference was held at the same time as the 1904 Show and it is recorded that the chairman, Mr. J. W. Foreman (Tikorangi) stated: “There is a feeling that we have precious little control of our produce after it leaves our shores and suspicion is being created thoreby.” And that was 35 years ago!

At the same conference, Dr. Gilruth who was the chief Government veterinarian of those times, reported several cases of mammitis in New Zealand and urged energetic measures to stamp it out. He suggested that the farmers tax themselves to the amount of one shilling a cow per year to provide a fighting fund. Nothing was done, however, to get an expression of opinion on the matter.

Next Saturday all will be given the opportunity of attending the 87th Winter Show of the Manawatu A. and P. Association. Down the years these exhibitions have lost nothing in public appreciation and attractiveness, science in all industries producing new inventions and ideas.