MOTUEKA A. & P. SHOW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 10 December 1945, Page 7

MOTUEKA A. & P. SHOW

RECORD ATTENDANCE OVER 4500 AT MARCHWOOD PARK PERFECT WEATHER FOR VICTORY FIXTURE FINE DISPLAY OF HORSES AND LIVE STOCK All previous records were broken at the Motueka Agricultural And Pastoral Association s ninth annual fixture, the Victory Show, held at Marchwood Park on Saturday. The show was favoured by perfect weather conditions and the attendance was over 4500. The gate takings totalled £275 which showed an increase of £75 over the figure for last year when the annual fixture was resumed after a break of two years owing to the war. The Nelson Automobile Association officers parked 710 cars on the ground, an increase of 300 compared with last year. The entries jumped by 400 to the total of 1200. The show was officially opened by the Hon. C. F. Skinner, M.P. for Motueka, Minister of Rehabilitation. One of the features of the show was the light horse section in which there were 460 entries, and the judging of the various classes (including some with over 20 entries) held the interest of crowds of spectators all day. The champion hack award went to Mrs P. Raigent’s “Joker,” of Takaka. Bary Jenkins, of Riwaka, won the champion pony ribbon with his pony “Chum.” The climax to the day’s programme was the Grand Parade of all prize-winners. It was led by the Nelson Pipe Band and when the parade had circled the main showring for the first time the various sections stood in formation while the National Anthem was played by the Motueka Boys’ Band. The natural beauty of Marchwood Park, which was recently purchased by the association, provided an ideal setting for the show. Most of the patrons brought their own lunches and made the event a day for family picnics. There were a number of trade displays and the Motueka R.S.A. had a tent in which war souvenirs, which will eventually be housed in the Memorial Hall, were displayed. The side shows, mainly of the dart and ring-throwing or cock-shy variety attracted good business. So successful was the day that many suggested that the show might become a two-day fixture next year.