WAIKATO CENTRAL SHOW

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2306, 4 March 1930, Page 5

WAIKATO CENTRAL SHOW

J TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL v EVENT.

• ENTRIES A RECORD. GREAT EXHIBITION OF CATTLE PROMISED. To-morrow tlic Waikato Central Agricultural Association’s twentyseventh annual show will open, and will be continued on Thursday (Poo pie’s Day). Like many other kindred functions the Cambridge Show and its association have- experienced varying degrees of fortune, A few years ago the position of tli(riassociation was far from that of affluence, but such was their faith in the district and the fixture that the veterans''of the association’s, executive determined to carry ■on. Their confidence was not misplaced, and with a leavening of fresh blood the corner stone was turned, with the result that to-day the association and the annual show arc among the most influential and progressive in the w r hole province.

The Waikato Central Agricultural Association is a society with which anyone might rightly feel proud to be directly associated, for behind it is a history few of its kind can boast. Twentyseven years ago, on March 21,1900, the first steps were taken to promote a local show, and during the time that lifts elapsed it can be truly said that it has played, its part well in assisting to promote the primary producing interests of the Waikato and more especially the Cambridge district. -A. Dairying Progress.

Twenty-seven years, ago .Cambridge,, ■and the Waikato were noted for their beef production and horse breeding, but in dairying matters they still lagged far behind such provinces as Taranaki. Under the handicaps of the earlier periods there were men, such as the late Francis Hicks and Henry Rcy- ' nolds, and later on Messrs Jas. Taylor, J. Allwill, J. G. Ward, M. Butler and a few others, struggling to place the industry on a footing. They laid the foundation stones and then with the in■auguration of the Cambridge Show, • with its classes for dairy interests in thiis and other parts of the Waikato, stimulation was given to dairying. 'Others were encouraged to go dairying, and with the improved conditions so •came better herds and better methods, and thus the industry was thoroughly established. To-day the Waikato holds pride of position in the Dominion's •dairying- world —a statement that is backed, up‘ by statistics' of production -in South Auckland last year. No less fhan 35,280 tons of butter (or 45 per ■Cent of the production of the whole Do-.-jhinion) and 11,900 tons of cheese (equivalent to ,11 per cent of the Domiinion's total output), was exported. exportable value of last year's dairy produce from South Auckland waS ; six and a half millions sterling. To come closer home, last year the Cambridge and Bruntwood companies ■alone received, 3,745,1451bs of butterfat. The Cambridge Company last year . 'received 3,292,1541bs of butterfat and manufactured 622 tons of butter, 7 ' tons of whey, butter, and 2592 tons of 'qheese. The Bruntwood Company received 452,8911bs of butterfat and 'manufactured 545 tons of cheese. For th© eight months of this season to the C end of January the Cambridge Com-pany-has advanced to suppliers £IBB,400, compared with £178,600 for the corresponding period of last year, an increase of £9BOO, and the company's supply shows tyaj increase of over 10 per cent. The Bruntwood Company this season, to the end of January, has received 352,1041bs of fatj and has adryanced to suppliers £25,155 4/1. Last V. yedr the company paid out a total of £38,409. " • These few district dairying statistics ‘ will serve to indicate the wonderful . -growth of the industry in Cambridge, • -and in a slight measure disclose the ' productivity of the country, though, of course, to the aforementioned figures be added the results obtained by --' Zealand po-op. Dairy Comin this district.

The achievement of the Cambridge

district .and the whole of the South Auckland Province during the past quarter of a century is, without doubt, a wonderful one, and the Waikato Central Agricultural Show may justly claim to have played its part in the direction of lifting the South Auckland Province from one of comparatively poor farming repute to the foremost in the country, in fact in the world. Past History. As stated in the foregoing the association w.as formed in 1903, the first show' being held at ‘‘Central Park” as the showgrounds w'ere called in those days, on March 5, 1904. The membership of the association at that time was 200, including such well-remembered names as Hon. John Fisher, Messrs W. F. Buckland, T. Wells, R. Reynolds, .T. Allwill, Robt. Fisher, Martin Butler, G. W.- Luxton, Jas. Taylor, W. C. Morgan and numerous other well-known residents still in Cambridge. Past Presidents. Tho following are the past presidents who so ably guided the affairs of the association during its 27 years in existence: —Hon. John Fisher (10 years), Messrs Jas. Taylor (1 year), R. Reynolds (6 years), N. Banks (3 years), and the present president, Mr J. S. Fisher (7 years). The Honours Board. Of its total members to-day, 367, many have been associated right from the early years of the association. It has its honours board, and those whose names are inscribed as life members for long service and material assistance are: Edward Allen, F. C. Barnett, J. A. Fitzgerald, J. Hooker, W. C. Morgan, W. G. Park, A. L. Soutcr, J. Taylor, E. Veale and W. Vospcr. ENTRIES REVIEWED. This year the show executive is to be heartily congratulated on the fact that the total entry is a record for many yc.ars. It speaks well for the district and is a happy augury for the continued success of the annual fixture. There is every reason to believe that the exhibition of stock to-morrow and Thursday will be outstanding among provincial shows this year. The total entry for the coming fixture is 1149, against 966 last year, an increase of 183 entries. These totals, of course, do not include floriculture, school work and children’s pony sections. The total entry last year, including ponies, was 1122 and 1102 the previous year. A comparison of the several departments is as follows, the previous tw T o years' figures being shown in parentheses, and with those of last year mentioned first in each, case in the parentheses:— Horses 350 (256, ) Cattle 332 (195, 220) Pigs (14) Sheep 45 ( —> Homo industries, not including floriculture and school work—--422 (494, 471) Great Cattle Section.

One of the most gratifying features of the entries is the rcmakablc increase in the cattle • sections. The section promises to display one of the best exhibitions seen outside Auckland this year. Once again the Jersey section takes pride of place in point of numbers with 108 entries, against 73 last year*, and 70 the year befotq. With such prominent breeders and exhibitors showing «s Messrs W. H. Miers (Rototuna), A. Moreland and Sons (Te Rapa), V. McD. Hitehings (O.torohnnga), F. S. Ycale (Tamjihcre), James A. Court (FencouTt), and J. A. and A. Entwisle (Fcncourt), it is certain that the quality will be good and the competition keen. The most surprising and at the same time encouraging feature of the cattle section is the big increase in the Milking Shorthorn section with the splendid total of 81 entries, against 21 last year and 45 the previous year. It shows a distinct return to favour of a breed that had gone out somewhat in late years. It must be very gratifying to one or two local breeders who have taken a keen interest in the section for many years. The local breeders, Messrs Fisher Bros., are again to bo well represented while other prominent exhibitors will be Messrs G. D. Hall (Pio Pio), Ranstead Bros. H. Booth (Tc Kowhai), J. and T. Searle (Kaipaki), John A. McGowan (Wniuku), A. Inncs Walker (Morrinsvillc), and Ruakura Experimental Farm. The Friesian section also shows a substantial increase in entries from 56 to 81, there being 51 the year before. There is quite good competition in the classes with no less than 17 in the yearling heifer class. All -the principal South Auckland exhibitors and breeders are associated.

The Ayrshire breed will be represented by 57 entries, against 45 last year and 67 the previous year. The classes are not large, but some good quality stock will be shown. Excellent Horse Section.

Perhaps nowhere in the province has the interest been maintained in good horseflesh as in the AYaikato, and especially this district. When we appreciate this is a mechanical age, and rea-

lisc the enormous increase in the use

of motors/it is even surprising that the support to this department of the show continues to be so satisfactory. The total entry in all classes is 354, compared with 256 last year. Draught and harness sections are, naturally, light, but this is more than made up for by the great entry of hacks and hunters. In these sections there will be keen rivalry and competitions, there being 235 hacks and hunter entries against 126 last year. The hack entries total 133 and hunters 102. Among the latter are all the well-performed horses of the last few years, such as El Arish, Tui, Ginger Mick, Sauntercr, Dawn, and tomorrow and Thursday they- will vie with a goodly entry of younger blood for this year’s honours at Cambridge. There are 45 entries in the special juvenile classes.

General Attractions. In addition to the programme of stock and other competitions attractions will be many and varied. There will be a veritable canvas town of side shows, while the trade exhibits should make a good display. On People’s Day Highland dancing .and piping competitions will be of interest, likewise a trotting event. Again there is the promise tlfat the district school children’s pony events will make a brave show under the guidance of the “father” of the competitions, Mr Ckas. Hargreaves. The judging will commence at 10 a.m. and all that now remains to ensure the complete success of this year’s show is the weather. It is to be hoped that it will remain fine to assist the association in recording an unqualified success.

SHOW TROPHIES. At this year’s show the list of trophies for competition will be the most, valuable yet offered. In addition to the trophies previously offered will be the beautiful and valuable encased shield offeTes by the Ayrshire Cattle Breeders' Association to the Cambridge Show Association for competition this year. It might be mentioned that each year the trophy is given to a different association for competition. Nineteen small shields are grouped around an appropriate larger shield on which is engraved the title of . the association and “Challenge .Shield, Autumn Show.” Donated in 1928 it was won that year by Mr E. Morgan Williams, at the Grcymouth Show, and last year by Mr C. B. Morgan, at the Horowhc-nua Show. The trophy is on exhibition in Mr Alf. Boyce's window. — * FERGUSON AND SONS’ DISPLAY. Would you care to sec Britain's challenge to the motor world? Then inspect Messrs Ferguson and Sons' exhibition at the show. The outstanding feature of the display will be a demonstration Morris “Isis” Six, the last word in British car construction. A beautiful body done in almost any colour scheme, this full fivc-seatcr car has coaehwork of graceful sweeping design and a chassis and engine of structural quality such as only British brains can build. Its entire equipment is like the entire car—the last word in motorbuilding. Note the “Isis” Six was specially built for use in the colonies after Sir William Morris had toured the Dominion and seen for himself the conditions. Also on exhibition, the Morris Saloon De Luxe, the Morris Minor, and a Morris Commercial Chassis specially supplied to Mr T. H. Welch, butcher, of Cambridge, for whom the firm Is building an up-to-date body. Be sure and see Ferguson and Sons' exhibition, and don't forget to inspect the “Isis” Six.

MOTOR CARS UP-TO-DATE.

MUNROEI MOTORS’ DISPLAY.

All assembled and nearly all produced in New Zealand will be the appealing feature of Messrs Munroc Motors' motor exhibit at the show. The firm will display exhibits of Chevrolet Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles consisting of an increased percentage of New Zealand products. The Chevrolet is furnished with all wool uphols-

tery material manufactured at the Wellington Woollen Mills, Pctonc, while the glass for the door windows and windshield is also a New Zealand product, being supplied by the Southern Cross Glass Co., of Ashburton (South Island). Munroe Motors will exhibit a De Luxe “Wentworth” Sedan with special finish to engine and body, and selling at the ordinary standard price. The exhibit, will also include a twodoor coach, in addition to two Commercial chassis, one of loewt. and the other of 30ewt. carrying capacity. These vehicles demonstrate the rugged features of the product which are cm bodied in all models. See Munroe Motors’ display and don’t fail to inspect the ‘ ‘ Wentworth ’’. Sedan.

SOUTER AND CO.’S DISPLAY.

A COMPREHENSIVE EXHIBITION,

k Visitors to the show are invited to inspect the comprehensive display of English, Canadian and American Motor Cars, which are on exhibition at Messrs W. Souter and Co.’s stand.

Pride of place is held by a magnificent example of British workmanship, in the eight-cylinder Hillman Saloon. This machine, which combines high performance with maximum comfort and economy, is now looked upon as one of the finest examples of its kind, and priced at a comparatively low figure for this class of vehicle, it is sure .to be the centre of attraction,. A Dodge Bros. Sedan, equipped with six wire wheels, is a particularly fine exhibit. The great reputation that this make has always enjoyed is now of a higher standard than ever, while the increased comfort and added performance that has been made possible by its smooth running six-cylinder motor makes it a better proposition than ever. Essex Cars will also be a feature of this fine stand. Month after month the high registration figures of this popular car show that the demand for Essex is ever increasing, due no doubt to the high performance at low operating cost, which is available at such a low price.

THE MAORI ENTERTAINERS. The above are claimed to be the largest troupe of Maori entertainers now travelling. Items arc given by 12 individual artists including Baby Oily, the versatile child actor, so popular in Australia. The troupe have just concluded an Australian tour, and bring to us enchanting scenes of Maoriland. A remarkable jazz band is included in the party.