OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3890, 2 October 1928, Page 13

OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY.

TAHUNA PARK PROPOSAL. ACCEPTED BY MEMBERS. A general meeting of members of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held in the Dunedin Jockey Club’s board room on Thursday evening to consider a proposal to co-operate with the Dunedin manufacturers in providing a suitable building at Tahuna Park to meet the requirements of both bodies. There were about 50 members present. Mr W. O. M'Kellar, president, occupied the chair.

_ The president was supported by Si: John Roberts, patron of the society. Several apologies for absence were received. Mr H. Driver wrote opposing the proposal on the ground that the public would not go out to Tahuna Park in wet weather. Mr IV. Gardiner (of Oamaru) also wrote in opposition. . The chairman, in opening the meeting, sa : <’ that members had all had a circular setting forth pretty fully what the meeting had been called for. Before proceeding to move the resolution standing in his name, he would like to express his pleasure at the attendance. The fact that so many members had thought fit to come on such a wet night showed that there was still a very live interest taker in the affairs of the old A. and P.—(Applause.) The meeting was probably the most momentous in the history of the society, at any rate for a great many years. There had been some meetings as .important' in the pioneering days of its existence, but certainly not for a long time. No doubt different opinions would be expressed, and he would like to request that speakers would, as much is possible, confine themselves to the policy of the proposal rather than to the details 01 its carrying out. These details would no doubt be considerable, but it seemed to him that, supposing the general policy was approved, the members of the society must be content to place details in the hands of a chosen few to carry them through rather than attempt to them at a large meeting like the present Turning now tn the proposal itself,” said the president, “broadly, and brief! 1 speaking, it is that we. as an association, enter into a partnershi-. with the manufacturers of this city in order that combined agricultural and pastoral shows and exhibitions of manufactures should be held simultaneously. The advantages of co-operation of this kind are so obvious that they hardly need stressing. Suffice it to say that the saving of what can be called overhead ex penses by making one general building take the place of two or three is probably the greatest. These are days of combinations, and I feel confident that everyone present must agree that a combination betwen the primary and secondary industries of this country is a much to be desired combination.— (Applause.) Dealing with the proposal as it directly affects the Otago A. and P. Society,- 1 would say this: It *is becoming increasingly evident year by year that our Crawford street premises are too expensive to . hold, are insufficient for our own requirements, and totally inadequate for such a combined show and exhibition as is proposed. Take our own show. Although we' claim, and rightly so, that it is the best of its kind in New Zealand, it is practically at a standstill, not because the committee cannot see plenty of class-3 that could be added, both for live stock and produce, but because there is no. room to show such classes. When we arrive at such a position as this, it is only a question of time and something must be done. We are offered a chance of a partnership which, if the terms can be satisfac rily arranged—and, as I said before, you can choose men from your membership ranks who can be absolutely relied upon to safeguard your interests in that respect—will remove the bogey of ' want of space ’ practically for ever from your committee’s thoughts.— (Applause.) The chief fear in most of our members’ minds should we decide to sell out in Crawford street and move to Tahuna Park is, I have no doubt, ‘Will we get the attendance? ’ The reply to that can really only come by experience, but I may say that men in this city, much more versed in the ways of crowds than I am, hav expressed to me in no uncertain terms their absolute conviction that Tahuna Park iv quite near enough the. city to attract large attendances A«y after day and night after night, provided proper attractions are put on for tliJAi after they get there,— (Applause.) One thing a

layman can see is that a ground like the park comes nearer and nearer to the centre of the city as the means of transport improve. I had a visit the other day trom the president, vice-president, and the secretary of the Dog and Poultry Association The object of their visit was a request to us to keep space for them should it be decided to build on Tahuna J ark. (Applause.) They expressed no fears whatever as to being able to get good attendances for their shows out /there. I will now formally move the resolution standing in my name, and will ask Mr George Black, as treasurer of the association, and a former president, to « e £? n< J T,le resolution is as follows:— ihat this meeting authorises the committee to continue, and if considered advisable complete negotiations with the manufacturers and other interested bodies in connection with the erection of suitable buildings at Tahuna- Park to meet the requirements of the Manufacturers’ Association and the society, subject to the following conditions:—(l) That our present title of Tahuna Park will in no way be affected. (2) That the society’s liabilities in connection with this proposal are definitely defined. (3) That the society retains its interest and identity, and controls the running and dates of its annual fixtures. (4) That the Crawford street premises be sold before the society is committed to any expenditure in the erection of buildings at Tahuna Park or elsewhere.’ ” —(Applause.) The president also read a letter from Sir George Fenwick, who expressed his approval of the proposal and hoped the members would support it. — (Applause.) Mr George Black, in seconding the motion, said the committee would explore all the possibilities with a view to providing facilities for carrying out its shows and to giving an opportunity to the Manufacturers’ Association to make a display of its products. There had been several discussions between the committee and the association, which was positive, after its investigation of the position. that the proposition it had put forward would prove successful in every way. It was convinced, too, that there would be no trouble in getting an adequate attendance of the public at Tahuna Park. “ I believe,” said the speaker, “ that a way will be found of improving the conditions under which we carry on our functions, giving facilities at the same time to other bodies who may join in with us.” It would be deplorable if the A. and P. Society, the Manufacturers’ Association, and other bodies should each go its own way, when they might' combine t and make a joint success of their ventures—(Applause.) If the Manufacturers’ Association were to make an exhibition on its own it might select for the purpose the dates of the Winter Show, and no one could blame it for doing so, because it was a time when many people were in town. If the society could get some other body to come in with it, and put in a considerable amount in the way of funds, the exhibition and its attractions could be extended, and in that itay bigger attendances would be secured, and a larger income would be obtained. The trouble that existed through tying up their capital in bricks and mortar would then disappear, and they would have additional capital to enable them to launch out in other avenues to win public support. He hoped, therefore, there would be close co-operation between the A. and P. Society and the Manufacturers’ Association.— (Applause.) If the City Council could erect a building suitable for show purposes, charging a rental for it as required, it would be an additional boon. He did not see why the city should not undertake a project of the kind, because the city benefited largely when shows of any description were held. (“ Hear, hear.”) It might take -Time to get the public to go to Tahuna Park, but that drawback couljl be got over speedily by providing strong at the earliest possible date.— (Applause.) Mr K. S. Ramsay, in supporting the proposal, said the scheme would be completely nullified if the Tramways Depart* ment was going to charge a fare of 6d to the park. Mr James Begg spoke in favour of the proposal. The present building was in* adequate, and even dangerous on crowded nights. To enlarge the building woula mean adding greatly to its value, and it was much too valuable already for thi I society’s purposes. The motion showed the only way for the society to get ahead, and any committee appointed .would, hd was sure, safeguard the interests of thd society.

Mr G. Bishop asked if there was any of difficulty arising in the way of getting a railway into the park. Would the Government offer any objection?

The president said these questions had received careful consideration from the committee. It was now proposed to straighten- the tram line by taking it through part of Culling Park, and an extra line could be laid alongside the tram line for railway purposes. This line would be carried to the gates of Tahuna Park, from which point the trucks could be shunted into the ground. As to trouble with the Government, there was a little doubt as to the actual proprietors of the present railway, but the matter would be looked into very carefully. It was a scheme that the whole city would be interested in, and that being so, a railway might be allowed.— (Applause.) The president asked, where were the opponents of the scheme? Mr G. Barton said he did not agree with the proposal. He thought the day the society shifted from Crawford street would sound its death knell. One had only to go to the Summer Show to see the handful of people at Tahuna Park, -and the Winter Show would meet the same fate. No nlace was worse than Tahuna Park on a wintry day or night, such as that night. The halls would be practically empty. They must cater for the crowd, and for that reason he would be sorry to see the society shift from its present property in Crawford street. In Christchurch the show authorities took in half of Cashel street for their exhibition, and why should something of the kind not be done here? The present buildings might also be improved and fitted up. He hoped that instead of spending thousands of pounds at Tahuna Park for the benefit of fhe manufacturers the society would retain its present premises.

Dr Batchelor asked what the manufacturers proposed to do to get the public out to Tahuna Park.

Mr J. Sutherland Ross (president of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association) said he was convinced that the mercantile houses were prepared to support the society. Some years ago, when the sum of £lO,OOO was raised in the city to place the society on its feet, no mercantile firm refused to give assistance. It was right that the primary industries and the manufacturers should get together as far- as possible. If they were going to play the game of town versus country, both town and country would suffer.— (Applause.) The Winter Show had always been supported by the manufacturers—indeed, they were prepared to take more space if it could be allotted to them. This was not possible in the present premises, with their limited accommodation. As to what the manufacturers were prepared to do at Tahuna Park, there were many points that had yet to .be discussed between the society and the association. If, after mature consideration, it was found the proposal could not.be carried to a satisfactory conclusion, both parties were prepared to say so.—(“ Hear, hear.”) He trusted that the committee would look closely into all aspects of the proposal, and he hoped it~ would yet come to fruition.— (Applause.) Mr James Hogg said he hoped they would- have the financial as well as the moral support of the City Council in the proposal. This could be given by allowing a moderate train fare to the park.— (Applause.) The present buildings were quite inadequate. . Two years ago there was a proposal to add another floor to the Crawford street premises, and at that time the manufacturers were prepared to take the whole of one floor. It had, however, been found impracticable to extend the building. If the Tahuna Park pro-

posal were agreed to and carried out other bodies besides the A. and P. Society and the manufacturers could be provided, for, such as the motor exhibitors, the Fanciers’ Club, and others. ,In Auckland the A. and P. Society and the manufacturers worked together, and at their recent show they made a profit of £3OOO in Christchurch the two bodies had also combined. At one of their shows they had an attendance of 15,000 on a Saturday afternoon. In Wellington a scheme to cost £48,000 had been launched, the area of land to be covered being about eight or nine acres. At Tahuna Park there were 25 acres. A building to cost £30,000 would provide space for the next 50 years. The committee recommended that only half of that building should be erected in the meantime, costing £15,000, and providing 50 per cent, more space than there was in the Crawford street building at present.— (Applause.)

Mr Barton pointed out that in Aucklanu the show was held in the city—in the sheds on the wharf. In Palmerston North the winter show was also held in the middle of the town. He was a loyal Dunedinite, he wanted to see Dunedin go ahead, but he hoped the proposal would i • £ . very ser i->usly considered before they shifted from their present buildings in Crawford street. Mr- H. Turner said that within a radius of a mile and a-quarter of Tahuna Park there was e population of 36,000. The population w thin the same radius of Brydoue Hall was only a few thousands more. He believed the proposal would work well in the interests of both Summer and Winter Shows. Mr E. C. Hazlett added his support to the proposal. If the tram fares were reasonable there would be no need to fear the attendance. Mr D. J. Ross said that as a “ canny Scot ” he saw nothing definite before the meeting, and he would move as an amendment —“ That this meeting authorises the committee to explore, in conjunction with other interested bodies, if necessary, every means of improving the Winter Show space, and, if deemed desirable, its location, and, when ’a concrete scheme has been arrived at, submit it to members for approval.” He would like to know what the Tramways Committee would do in the way of fares, also what the Railways Department would do. Once those questions had been answered the rest of the matter would be easy. The president: No one can say what the Railways Department will do. Mr Ross: That is the reason I move the amendment. The president went on to say that Cr Douglas would explain the position of the Tramways Committee. Cr J. S. Douglas produced plans of the proposed tram route to Tahuna Park, and said the society had the support of the City Council in any movement it might make, either singly or combined, for the advancement of the city.— (Applause.) As for the fares to the park, if the scheme now proposed were adopted, they would be the ordinary tram fares.— (Applause.) The president said that from even a hasty perusal of the plans he could see that the requirements of the society would be satisfactorily met. Mr Bruce Meek (Oamarul seconded the amendment pro forma. He considered the motor exhibit might be limited in order to make room for manufactures.. The, motox- people should have a show of their own. If every make of motor car was to be granted space it would not be long before even Tahuna Park was not large .enough for them all. The .amendment, on being put .to the meeting, was lost by a large majority.

Sir John Roberts, who was received with cordial applause, expressed the view that the accommodation in Crawford street was now quite inadequate for the requirements of the society.— (Applause.) There was no possibility of making extensions, and Tahuna Park was the only alternative. He was sure that the committee to be appointed would be of such a character that the members of the society could with confidence leave it to work out the details. It might be possible to have the next Winter Show at Tahuna Park. As for the proposal to erect buildings at a cost of £15.000, he did not think it would be possible to get suitable buildings for such a sum. It would be advisable perhaps to put £30,000 down at once and so have a good start rather than to start with an insufficient building. He hoped everything would go on smoothly, and that an agreement would be come to that would be of benefit to the Otago A. and P, Society and also to the Manufacturers’ Association. — (Applause.) The motion was put and carried with only one dissentient voice. The selection of the committee referred to in the motion was left to the General Committee. In answer to a question, the president said the committee would have power to add to its number, taking in members of outside bodies, if necessary. A vote of thanks to the president closed the meeting.