HAPPY FUNCTION

Southland Times, Issue 20219, 2 July 1927, Page 4

HAPPY FUNCTION

WYNDHAM A. AND P.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

Well over a hundred members of the Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Association gathered in the Town Hall last evening, the occasion being the annual reunion and presentation of trophies of the association. There were also present representatives of the other A. and P. Associations throughout the province and members of various local bodies.

The splendid attendance and the enthusiasm that marked the function spoke eloquently of the esprit-de-corps of that very live body, the Wyndham A. and P. Association. Mr A. Weir was in the chair, and after a preliminary attack had been made at the many good things on the table, he expressed pleasure at seeing so many present and extended a warm welcome to them all. With such a fine array of trophies it was not fitting that they should be presented in cold blood. He quoted figures to show how greatly the Wyndham A. and P. annual show had grown during the last few years. In the past few years his association had been trying to foster juvenile classes and he was pleased to say they had met with a large measure of success. He was sure that such a step was in the right direction. There was a tendency in the New Zealand education system to encourage youths to take up a clerical and not a rural occupation. The junior classes at shows would help to counteract that. Farmers had come through a gruelling time, and they would all be pleased to see that Mr Adam Hamilton, M.P., had been granted extension of time in his speech on farming matters in the House. It showed that Parliament was beginning to realise that farmers existed.

On the stage was a magnificent array of handsome silver cups and other trophies, which were presented during the evening by Mr W. Alexander, who mentioned that all the challenge cups won outright last year had been replaced. It was noticeable that again this year many of the challenge trophies had been won outright.

A lengthy toast list was honoured during the evening, the principal toasts being:— “A. and P. Interests” (Mr H. K. Sumpter —Mr H. Smith) ; “Commercial Interests” (Mr Caldwell—Mr Hunter); “Kindred Societies” (Mr Laidlaw—Mr Heron) ;

“Dairying Interests” (Mr Campbell—Mr Timpany) ; “Donors of Special Prizes” (Mr W. Alexander—Various donors).

An exceptionally fine musical programme was rendered, encores being frequent.