RECORD OF GOOD SHOWS

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 9

RECORD OF GOOD SHOWS

SOUND ACTIVITIES OF BREEDERS DIVERSIFIED INTERESTS OF FARMERS Although the association has only been in existence for 26 years that period does not represent the full span of agricultural shows at Winton. Actually, the first show in the district was held in 1875, when farming practices were very different from the present and provision was made chiefly for farm produce in the schedule rather than for live-stock. The town of Winton has always been an important Southland centre since the gold-rush days of the ’sixties. It early became a flourishing town with many optimistic or disappointed gold seekers passing through it, but it suffered a loss of importance for a few years when the gold traffic ceased. Then the fertility of the district for farming became recognized and its progress since then has been steady. Not until 1913 was there an Agricultural and Pastoral Association, as it exists now, for though the ' original association did assume this name the only fixture conducted by that body until then was the winter show. . On Wednesday, July .9, .1913, a big and representative gathering met in the Winton Athenaeum to discuss the proposal to hold an annual summer show

for Winton and the surrounding districts. The convener of the meeting was Mr John H. Thomson, J.P., who was one of the first settlers in the district. He had been president of the original association, which was later amalgamated with the newly-formed body. Mr Thomson, stating that the proposal had met with general _ approval, said he considered that ina prosperous, thriving . and extensive locality like Winton and its. surroundings a summer show could be successfully conducted. Ihe majority of those present were of the same opinion and on the motion of Messrs J. R. Hamilton and J. A. ’Keith it was unanimously decided “that an Agricultural and Pastoral Association be held in the summer of 1913.”

Winton is ideally situated for the presentation of a diversified show. The fertile land of the district is well-suited for either dairying or sheep farming and a number of dairy factories have operated within a radius of a few miles frora the town with considerable success over a number of years. Present economic conditions have made dairy farmers somewhat impatient of the rewards received from dairying and in this district, as in many other parts of New. Zealand suited to different types of farming, there has been a slight swing away from the dairy industry. The change has not perhaps been so noticeable as in other parts of the South Island, but modern, conditions have not been found favourable for small factories and a move has been made in the direction of centralization. Fertile land and favourable conditions have enabled the sheep-raising industry to flourish in the district for many years and throughout the area are to be found fine flocks of crossbred ewes of excellent quality. There is also a concentration of a number of

breeders of purebred sheep and some of the most important studs of the province are located in this district. From an area handy to Winton there have been exported to Australia many sheep which have upheld the prestige of the district and the province. These studs are still flourishing, but they are now chiefly in the hands of a younger generation of farmers who are maintaining the tradition established many years ago. Farmers of the Winton district have always been mindful of the necessity for maintaining a high standard of horseflesh and the district is notable for studs of outstanding Clydesdales,for the breeding and rearing of fine light horses for hack and harness purposes, and for the breeding of purebred horses for sporting purposes. The horse sections at the Winton Show have, therefore, always been a strong feature and while the heavy farm horse is at present temporarily in eclipse because of the popularity of mechanical traction for farm work the breeders of Clydesdales in the district will probably remember that on previous occasions the draught horse has been threatened with extinction only to gain renewed popularity later. For the last nine years the association has held its shows continuously on its picturesque grounds at the south end of the town. The facilities available have included the stock pens of the Winton Saleyards Company and has enabled the association to provide ample accommodation for the stock exhibited. Buildings have been erected as funds have been available and at the present time the grounds are being extensively improved. The full effect of this work'-will not be evident until

next year’s show is held, but the forward move is a mark of the growing strength of the association which has been most progressive in its activities. The committee of the association has prepared A schedule for this year’s show which includes several new features. An important addition, carrying £l2 in prize money given by the Southland Frozen Meat and Export Company, Ltd., is the Winton fat lamb championship for six fat cross-bred lambs, one earmark, the property of and fed on exhibitor’s farm for two months before the show; live weight up to 681 b; each lamb to be weighed separately; purebred lambs ineligible; the judge to give preference to entries which are most suitable for London trade.

The new competition will bring the Winton Show into line with others in the province. The fat lamb competitions at the Gore and Invercargill Shows have proved both valuable and popular and are held responsible for much of the 'remarkable improvement in the quality of fat lambs in Southland. Lamb growers have had the opportunity of seeing their lambs in the pens where they are judged on standards for suitability for the export trade. This has enabled growers to gain a sound idea of the class of carcass at which to aim for the export trade. Other competitions in which the lambs are slaughtered and judged again on the hooks and again at Smithfield have been equally valuable and the Southland Frozen Meat Company in pioneering these competitions has done a great service to lamb growers and has assisted greatly in raising the. standard of the lambs exported and bringing the trade to the high standard of the present time.

One of the association’s most important achievements has been the establishment of the experimental farm. From the outset the establishment of this farm met with instant approval and it was granted most enthusiastic support by the farming public and business community. The first step was a meeting for farmers and others interested on June 18, 1918. The result of this meeting was the formation. of an agricultural committee, consisting of the executive body of the. Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The

secretary was instructed to communicate with the Minister of Agriculture requesting that an experimental area be granted for the district. Subsequently the farm was purchased and a sub-committee of the association appointed with representatives of the Department of Agriculture to manage the property. In the early stages of the existence of the experimental farm, the growing of crops was the chief occupation, but a small flock of sheep also was run on the property. In 1928 a dairy herd was established on the farm and while retaining the model aspect of the property, it has been operated as a practical farm. BIG INCREASE IN ENTRIES HEAVY SECTION OF SHEEP The entries for this year’s show disclose a big increase on last year’s total. The light horse, sheep and baking sections are especially well represented and the other sections also promise an interesting display. An attractive programme of competitions can be expected to draw a -full measure of support. Complete arrangements have been made for the fixture and a ,big attendance is anticipated. From the grandstand the public will be able to view the grand parade in comfort. The parade will come down the straight on the outside of the course proper and at the bottom will pass through a gap on to the inner track and circle back to the top of the straight. After the grand

parade a display of free-legged pacing will be given up and down the straight by Mr J. F. O’Shannessey’s pacing stallion Nelson Pointer. Very few pacers race free legged in New Zealand and in view of the fact that the Australian horse* Lawn Derby paced a mile in better than two minutes at Addington recently without the aid of hopples, Nelson Pointer’s exhibition should be of decided interest. Arrangements have been made by the directors for a sound system for announcements. The following is a comparison of the entries with the two preceding years:—

1938 1937 1936 Draughts 27 39 33 Light horses 132 81 101 Cattle 47 61 60 Sheep 246 186 177 Dairy produce 28 48 25 Baking 184 164 158 Dogs 19 17 19 683 596 573