MATAMATA A. AND P. SHOW.

Putaruru Press, Volume V, Issue 176, 17 March 1927, Page 4

MATAMATA A. AND P. SHOW.

SIXTEENTH SUCCESSFUL EVENT.

FIXTURE SHOWS IMPROVEMENT EACH YEAR. %

Stock Entries Increase, with Quality Maintained

Trite as it may be, the subject of the weather has such an important bearing upon any and all outdoor affairs that it merits first mention when dealing- with these matters. Happily the weather for the Matamata A. and P. Association’s Sixteenth Annual Show on Tuesday was all that could be desired, being fine throughout the day, yet nice and cool, an ideal day for the great annual event. The sky was slightly overcast, and a mild breeze was blowing, so that had the management the ordering of the weather they could not have done better. The attendance was about the same as last year, although, owing partly to the much larger numbers of cars left on the roadside, the gate receipts were down £lO.

The entries were also greatly encouraging in the principal stock sections, both the cattle and the horses showing considerable incr-eases. These things were all the more gratifying in view- of the rather sombre commercial and market conditions generally, and, taken in conjunction with the fact that the Matamata races held 10 days previously also showed a marked advance, speak volumes for the vitality of the district, and augur w-ell for what the future holds, when normal times reign. The officials, as undermentioned, again performed their duties w-ell and faithfully, and as usual the president (Mr. J. E. West) and the secretary (Mr. B. Blennerhassett) had their full share of w-ork and responsibility. This is the first year in which Mr. West has been president, but he has shown distinct initiative and energy, and if the association can persuade him to hold the office for another year there is little doubt that the experience he has now- had, added to the qualities that have distinguished his first term as president, w-ill effect marked advancement next year also, now that he has “found his feet” as the saying goes.

Mr. Blennerhassett is probably in the “last lap” of his secretaryship, for it is generally understood that he will be leaving Matamata at no distant date. To his credit let it be said that he has, especially during the past year, put a wonderful lot of energy, enthusiasm and organising ability into his work, w-hich assertion the increased entries in important section bear w-itness. The association may be congratulated upon the loyal and tireless service he has placed at its disposal, and commisserated with on the approaching loss of an officer of his experience and proven w-orth. Other officials in a purely honorary capacity have also done excellent service, many of them year after year, giving their time for w-eeks before the event, and from early morning to night on the day itself. THE OFFICIAL OPENING. The show was officially opened at 12.30 p.m. by Mr. C. E. Macmillan, M.P. for Tauranga, who stood up in an English car of a make that has been much honoured in New Zealand of late. Mr. Macmillan, w-ho was welcomed by the president (Mr. J. E. West) prefaced his remarks on the show- by apologising for the absence of Mr. F. F. Hoekly, M.P., who had other engagements. The speaker commented that it w-as a good thing also to have tried to get the presence of the Prime Minister, who w-as a practical farmer, and able to appreciate these shows. The speaker did not know- whether the Matamata people were aware of the fact that Matamata was quoted in the Department of Agriculture and in agricultural circles generally as an object lesson to the Dominion for the great progress made through the use of fertilisers. (Applause.) It w-as a good sign w-hen one saw the old pioneers in a district, for it w-as conclusive evidence that they had not been able to find any better place. The show w-as certainly good—anybody could see that—but no better than it deserved to be. He congratulated the show authorities and exhibitors on the numbers and quality of the exhibits, and he was sure the fixture w-as merely the forerunner of many more equally good and better. (Applause.) THE POPULAR PULL. Ever since the inception of A. and P. shows the ring events have claxm-

ed pride of place in the public eye, and last Tuesday w-as no exception. A great throng of people, in cars and on foot, watched around the ring as the horse events were in progress, the jumping events again proving an irresistible attraction. There w-as quite a glow* of welcome as old favourites came on the scene, such as Major Samuel’s El Arish, Mr. Earl Johnston’s Toki, C.” G. Wyborn’s Moascar, and others of equal or only slightly less note. The Matamata Boy Scouts Band, though under reorganisation, attended under the conductorship of Mr. H. Cleland and rendered very agreeable selections. OFFICERS. The officebearers for the year are : Patrons, Messrs. C. E. Macmillan, M.P., and F. F. Hoekly, M.P.; president, Mr. J. E. West; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. T. H. Prowse and C. D. Rollett; committee, Messrs. N. Blackburn, J. Blythe, A. Bowler, L. L. Cooke, W. M. Crabb, S. Gunn, H. | Harding, F. Hitchcock, G. Johnston, j R. McCabe, C. G. Payze, F. Richi mond, H. Rollett, W. S. Ruthe and A. S. Thirlwall. JUDGES’ COMMENTS. HORSES. Despite the inroads of the motor transport, there w-as a remarkablfe revival in the utility horse classes, the entry of dry mares being better, old observers stated, than has been the case for the past ten years, since the association left the old grounds. Mr. J. Begbie said the class w-as agreeably large, and there were some exceptionally good horses among them. The champion and reserve champion would hold their own in any country ring. Mr. S. Darragh (Tauranga) commented that the light harness entries were few but good. The juvenile horses and riders would also do credit to any show. He would say, in regard to the riders, that a better lot w-ould be hard to find, and they only needed further practice to increase their already considerable ' competency. Speaking of the hacks and hunters, Mr. R. A. Bent said that considering the onslaught of the motor t the entry was very creditable. He . observed, however, that the good horses w-ere nearly all among the old . favourites, and young ones did not I seem to be coming on to take their places. Some of the jumpers were r undoubtedly good, but he had seen more of them on other occasions. This ! w-as only to be expected, for men ’ w-ere now- keeping horses merely as a fancy for such competitions and pastimes. CATTLE. As w-as the case last year, the “ Jerseys easily predominated in num- ’ bers, and also drew- the attention of 1 stock enthusiasts, the other breeds ’ being almost deserted of attention while there was a crowd alw-ays a* 5 round the Jerseys. Mr. R. F. Wilkinson (Pukekohe) was not able to 1 attend, and Mr. H. W. Le Bailly (Pukekohe) was the judge. Not- ’ withstanding the numerical superiorr ity of the Jersey entries, Mr. Le ’ Bailly had very little to say in re- ' gard to them. He thought they were l on the whole quite up to the stand- ' ard, and that the aged animals, both male and female, were exceptionally fine. In his opinion it was unfortunate that Mr. Mlel-s’ yearling bull (with which were two champion * cow-s) was disqualified from the 1 group entry because it was not two years of age. This yearling could beget calves as well as the two-year- * olds, and therefore should have been 3 eligible for the group.

There was an exceptionally good entry of pedigrees, but the grades showed a marked falling off. Mr. Neil Carter had a good word to say for the Friesians generally (which will be dealt with elsewhere) and for those in the show he said that the winners were very attractive, though the second placed ones were not in the best condition. 'The yearling bull was especially fine. It was rather discouraging to breeders that ow-ners of other pedigree stock in the district did not exhibit, and . so build up the strength of the class. 4t