EARLY SHOWS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2312, 18 March 1930, Page 4

EARLY SHOWS

FIFTY YEARS AGO. INTERESTING MEMENTO. Few people who attended the recent record show held under the auspices of llie Waikato Central Agricultural Association were aware that Cambridge boasted of a successful show over fifty years ago. We have been privileged fro peruse a printed schedule of the annual show, held by the Cambridge Farmers’ Club, Cambridge, on October 20th, 1880 —almost fifty years ago—this interestingreminder of olden Cambridge being the property of Mrs .Chitty, one of the oldest settlers of- the district. In those early days the shows were held* in the grounds adjoining the Farmers’ Club house (later converted into a residence, and now occupied by Mr M. Wells), at tbc corner of Empire and Alpha Streets and we are informed that the annual fixtures were, even at that distant date, most successful and interesting. The schedule contains classes for horses (blood stock, roadsters and draught horses), 'cattle (Shorthorns, Hcrcfords, Devons, dairy cows and fat cattle), sheep, pigs, dairy produce, poultry, dogs, implements, etc. It is exceedingly interesting to note the list of officers of the show. The president was Mr Every Maclean, of Fencourt, while Messrs James Runciman and Francis Hicks (well-known names to all old district residents) were vice-presidents. The general committee of management comprised Messrs Every Maclean, A. A. Fantham, F. Hicks, Geo. E. Clark, John Fisher, W. L. Martyn, R. H. D. Fergusson (son of a former Governor of New Zealand), Jas. Runciman, E. B. Walker (manager of the Monnvalc Estate), Thos. Morrin, Richard Reynolds and Henry Buttle. Though several of these names arc familiar to many local residents, most have passed away or left the district. So far as wo are aware, Mr Geo. E. Clark is the only one still resident in Cambridge. Mr Walter Scott was secletaiy of the show in 1880. Mr J.. S. Fisher (president of the Waikat<^Central Association) informs us that he well remembers the old cattle shows, held adjoining Mr M. Wells’ residence. The shows were discontinued many years ago, probably soon after the date of the annual show to which the schedule in question refers. * Mr Geo. E. Clark informs us that MiHenry Buttle (at one time a farmer in Cambridge and now resident at Sumner, near Christchurch) and himself are the only -remaining officers of the old show executive.