CENTENNIAL SHOW

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3598, 26 August 1939, Page 4

CENTENNIAL SHOW

NEXT YEAR'S FIXTURE EARLY ARRANGEMENTS MADE When the Waikato Central Agricultural Association holds its annual show at Cambridge on March 8 and 9 of next year, it will be taking part in the celebration of the Centennial of New Zealand. A decision to that effect was reached at the annual meeting yesterday. "There are no organisations in New Zealand for which the Centennial has more significance than agricultural associations," said Mr A. N. Macky, a member of the Cambridge Centennial Committee, who opened the subject. He stated that the Centennial was mainly to honour the pioneers of New Zealand. Many of them had been the founders of agricultural shows. The meeting decided to instruct the incoming executive to hold a Centennial Show and to co-operate with the Cambridge Committee. Messrs H. Crowther, W. C. Wallace, W. A. Fisher, S. I). Low and A. N. Macky were appointed to make the preliminary arrangements in connection with the celebration. "We will want all members to put their shoulders to the wheel, to make the 1940 show a great success, said the president, Mr H. Crowther. A communication was received from the Centennial branch of the Department of Internal Affairs, stating . that the Government had been pleased to approve of Agricultural and Pastoral Associations describing their annual fixtures to be held during the 1939-40 season and up to November 16, 1940, as "Centennial" Shows. It was hoped that the Cambridge association would be making efforts to niark the occasion by including special historical features in its Centennial Show. During the last few years, certain associations had stages such features with marked success, it was, stated* as, for exaple, the parade of old farm implements at Palmerston North. "Pageantry of any kind makes a wide appeal and the Centennial year affords an excellent opportunity to stage something of an historical character which can be both entertaining and educational, and which, by showing what we owe to the pioneers of this land of burs will do them honour. "Special features bearing on the Centennial might include the following: "An historical parade showing the progress over the century in farm implements. This could include not only all the old implements of the past, but characters dressed in appropriate costumes of the period of each. "Displays showing old and new methods connected with farming, such as churning and ploughing. "Displays showing old crafts and industries, which have now disappeared, such is the hackling of flax, the making of damper, pit-sawing, the making of shingles, grinding of corn. "A parade of floats showing the industries and products of the district. "If your association is considering the matter of pageantry in connection with its Centennial Show, and this department can give any assistance, it will be pleased to do so, concludes the letter. "The services of the National Director of Centennial Pageantry are available in an advisory capacity, and he will be glad to consult with you in the preparation of plans, should you desire his help." The meeting decided to leave the matter in the hands of the executive committee and the special subcommittee which was set up.