GLIMPSES AT THE PAST

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1930, Page 14

GLIMPSES AT THE PAST

‘THE ONE PIG WITH MEASLES’ CUCUMBER EXHIBIT. TRAINING FARMERS TO DISPLAY The early history of the New Plymouth Winter Show is vague, and complicated by the fact that originally there were two associations catering for agriculturists in North Taranaki. Further, there seemed to be no very clear line of demarcation between what we now term winter and autumn displays. It .was not uhfil late in the sixties that any very appreciable amount of interest was disclosed in shows. The struggle for existence in a pioneering community, harried by the ravages of inter-r&cial warfare, was not a state of affairs suited to a close attention to the embroideries of farming life. However, it is fairly certain that the first show was held in 1868 under the auspices of the Taranaki Agricultural Association at the Oddfellows’ Hall.

This society, which had its headquarters at Omata, staged its second show on March 25, 1870, and of this particular event there is a full record. We learn with interest that the most striking exhibits were “a couple of cucumbers, grown by Mr. Wells, of Mangorei, very straight and cylindrical and rather over two feet long.” Further, “a packet of Taranaki hops, grown by Mr. Martin, was a cheering feature indicating the commencement of the growth of a product almost new to Taranaki.” A new industry is always encouraging and there is a counterpart in the 1*930 show where for the first time there is a class for industrial rabbits.

The third show of the Taranaki Agricultural Society was held on March 24, 1871. A newspaper report of the period deplored the lack of support given the movement by. the “out-settlers generally in not sending things for exhibition. At a dinner following the show the president, G. Cutfield, Esq., spoke on the apathy of the farmers. “Inside the hall,” he said, “it was true there was some very good fruit and roots, but when he said that he had said all he could say. The J\gricultural Society had been going back for some time past. Of the farmers in the place nine-tenths, he believed, did not care a stiver whether it went on or no, and would be glad to see the society defunct.”

THE DENUNCIATION. A number of members spoke more strongly as the dinner proceeded. Mr. Hulke asked “what had the farmers sent to the show? —really nothing but three fleeces of wool and a sucking pig that had died of measles.” After all this it is not surprising to hear that in 1873 the society became defunct. In the meantime a new association had arisen in 1872 and was operated as the Bell Block Agricultural Society, with headquarters at Hua village. Shows were held in November, 1872, and 1873, and the third on December 2, 1-874. On June 24, 1872, the Bell Block body changed its name to the Northern Agricultural Association, but the third exhibition was held under the name of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, which name it retained for over 50 years. The winter show in its present form lapsed for some time although exhibits of produce continued to be shown. However, in 1883, a horticultural, root and dairy produce show was revived after a lapse of 17 years, and a display very similar to the annual winter show, though, of course, on a smaller scale, was opened on April 11 in the new Alexandra Hall. The show movement progressed slowly, the winter display having a chequered career, fading at times into oblivion,until it received new life in 1910, and since then has gradually gathered momentum until what is now termed th® 21st annual Winter Show promises to reach the high-water mark.

Secretary to the Taranaki Metropolitan Agricultural Society for the past 13 years, Mr. Obey by his ability, enthusiasm and uniform courtesy has done much to place the society in its present sound financial position. It is doubtful if, throughout New Zealand, there is a show official held in higher esteem by exhibitors than the secretary of the Taranaki Society. Por they know from experience (hat no matter how busy ho may be he is always ready with a cheery word of welcome and has the happy knack of smoothing out any ; difficulty. \ ....