DOMINION’S PREMIER SHOW OPENS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21259, 1 November 1940, Page 9

DOMINION’S PREMIER SHOW OPENS

GREAT EXPOSITION OF STOCK

CATTLE ENTRIES ECLIPSE RECORDS

OUTSTANDING EXHIBITION OF HORSES

WAIKATO’S CONTRIBUTION TO WAR EFFORT

ANNUAL SUMMER FIXTURE SETS NEW STANDARD

Long recognised as the Dominion's premier pageant of agricultural progress, the annual summer show of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association opened its gates to the public at the Claudelands Showgrounds today. No better indication of the farming wealth of the fertile Waikato Valley, no more expressive demonstration of the district’s modern methods of primary production could have been staged than today's exposition of agricultural products. It reflected more than anything else could do the amazing development of dairying down through the corridors of time since this great industry had its birth in the Waikato in 1882. High standards of quality in the dairy cattle sections were an admirable portrayal of the very important part that pedigree breeders have played in the evolution of farming and demonstrated very forcibly the progress that has been made in breeding cattle of high producing ability. The outstanding exhibition of horses, both light and draught, was an impressive reminder of the important place the horse still holds in rural industry today despite the rapid mechanisation of farming methods in the district. Record entries'of pedigree and fat pigs showed clearly the importance of pig production to the district and provided a further proof of Waikato’s pre-eminent position in the output of pork and bacon. Another important branch of farming was represented by the large entries of sheep and fat lambs. The opening of the Waikato Summer Show today provided evidence of the success of district farmers in producing the vital sinews of war. It demonstrat?d very strikingly that there has been no suggestion of lag in primary production, but rather that production on the farming front has been speeded up, that Waikato farmers are working as one to produce essential foods for the armies of the Empire. Today’s exhibition indicated, too, that war has stiffened farmers’ resolve to improve farming methods so that greater production can be made possible and that primary producers can worthily play their important part in the fight for freedom. Tomorrow at the show will be observed as “ peoples’ day ” when the show will be officially opened by the Hon. W. Lee Martin. Minister of Agriculture. Many spectacular events have been arranged for the entertainment of the public tomorrow, the programme being the most comprehensive to be presented at a Waikato show. The brilliantly fine weather today attracted a larger crowd than usual on opening day. The turf was in splendid order for the jumping events and many spectacular displays* were seen.

FARMERS’ SUPPORT

ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS IMPORTANCE OF SHOWS ADVERTISEMENT FOR DISTRICT The success of this year’s show has been made possible by the willing support and co-operation of the farming community. Despite the additional labour that has come their way in war time, they have cheerfully rallied in support of the Show Association, for they realised that the show is not merely a pageant of stock but rather an educational exhibition where they can learn to improve their farming methods and to discover ways and means of increasing production. “The Show Association is very appreciative of the manner in which farmers, despite labour difficulties, hive supported this year’s show with increased entries and willing assistance,” said the president of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Mr W. R. J. Franklin, in an interview today. He expressed the hope that the public, too, would support the show for il was a worthy advertisement for the Waikato district. By supporting the show, the people of Hamilton would be help- ! jng the district to make even greater ; progress. Unique District The importance of the summer ; show at Claudelands to the whole of | the Waikato has often been stressed, \ but it is a point that is well worth ; further emphasis. The Waikato dis- ; trict is, perhaps, unique in that there is no other area where life in any aspect is ever far removed from primary production and where the stability of the district is so dependent on this very important industry. The holding of the show in the centre of the largest town, and what is virtually the hub of this very rich and fertile district, is of inestimable value to town and country alike. The townspeople gain an insight into i the work of the farmer, the farmer j establishes friendships with the j townspeople, and, what is more im- | portant still, the farmers themselves ! are able to learn much from what • they see. The Show is the occasion for the I gathering of the finest stock of the i district and elsewhere for the pur- j nose of comparison, and the prac- { tical farmer, by paying particular ! attention to the stock exhibited and ! to the awards made, can learn much | that will be of great value. The show also provides the best opportunity of the year for farmers to meet I friends from various parts of the ' district and discuss the many important problems of the moment as well as the prospects for the season. Personal opinions regarding various animals "are ventilated and adjusted' and the average farmer, by discus- ; Fions with the proud breeders, can : gather much that will benefit him. j The show is now an institution, and an institution that confers great benefit on the whole district. Ideal Surroundings Of course the ideal grounds l ave : played a big part in the continued j success of this fixture. Today, with \ the many ’mprovements that have i been effected, for size, layout and j charm the Claudelands showground j is unequalled in the Dominion. Fur- | ther additions have been made to j the cattle and sheep pens, and ex- j hibitors today welcomed the in- i creased covered accommodation for their stock. The general layout of the huge exhibition is excellent and the visitors are fortunate in that they can see the stock under the best possible conditions. The sideshows and commercial exhibits have also been carefully laid out to show to j the best advantage. The planting of many trees during the year has added considerably to the beauty of this large area.

List of Officials The Show Association owes much to the voluntary work done by the band of men who comprise the committee, and much of the success of the exhibition is attributable to the fine work done by the officials, who are as follows: Patrons: Sir Alex. Young, Messrs W. McKee, W. G. Park and F. R. Seddon. President: Mr W. R. J. Franklin. Vice-presidents: Messrs F. S. Veale and H. J. Finlayson. General Committee.—Messrs F. H. Anderson. C. Bailey, N. T. Bilkey, P. Bremer, R. Chilcott, T. Church, P. H. Clarkin, T. A. Devine, C. P. Harrington. G. Hinton, Roland Hinton, R. A. Hinton, F. C. House, G. Jew, W. T. Luxton, H. B. Luxford, T. Martin, R. T. M. Martin, W. j H. Miers, J. M. McNicol, A. E. McDonald, A. Parkin, J. C. ! Potts, J. E. Powell, R. Ranstead, Neil | Reid, J. Roach, C. Seddon, H. Whe- ! well, W. C. Wallace. ] Supplementary Committee.—Messrs ; N. Banks, J. M. Baxter, E. G. Broad, j W. Boneham, M. J. Corcoran, F. Gibi bison. S. B. Grant, S. E. Henry, G. ' Irvine, E. J. Kelly, A. Miller, Ewen I McGregor, B. H. Moreland, H. More- [ land, W. S. Phillips, P. T. Powell, G. j Rennie, R. Jones. D. Riddell, S. ' Rhodes, S. S. Saulbrey, N. K. Tayi lor, G. M. Watt. R. Wattam, A. M. ! Wilson, H. W. Wilson, C. Worker. I Executive Committee.—Messrs W. | R. J. Franklin (president), F. S. i Veale (vice-president). H. J. Finlay- ! son (vice-president). P. H. Clarkin, i C. Bailey, Roland Hinton. T. Martin, j A. Parkin, P. Bremer, C. P. Harring- , ton, W. H. Miers, H. Whewell, R. A. { Hinton, W. T. Luxton, J. M. Mcj Nicol. i Treasurer: Mr W. T. Luxton. Audii tors: Messrs Bindon and Champion. ! Hon. surgeons: Dr. St. L. H. Gribben j and Dr. F. D. Pinfold. Hon veter- ! inary surgeons: Messrs J. Mullins, j M.R.C.V.S., and H. Doyle, M.R.C.V.S. Judges and Stewards The complete list of judges and | stewards is as follows: ' Entertaining Stewards.—Messrs W. ; R. J. Franklin, F. S. Veale and H. J. Finlayson. Parade Stewards.—Messrs W. T. Luxton and H. J. Finlayson. Ground Steward.—Mr P. H. Clarkin. Horses Supervisor: Mr G. Hinton. Thoroughbreds, Hacks and Hunters.—Judge: Mr O. Ormerod, Gisborne. Stewards: Messrs R. A. Hin- | ton (chief), C. Hinton. T. Coles, W. I Patterson, R. Miller, H. Saward, J. Davison, J. Vercoe. G. Paton. Clydesdales and Working Horses.— Judge: Mr A. L. Bremer. Hawera. | Stewards: Messrs Roland Hinton j (chief), L. Powell. W. Moore. Juvenile and Pony Classes.—Judge: Mr C. Morgan. Matamata. Stewards: Messrs R. Ranstead (chief), N. T. Bilkey. J. M. McWhannell, J. Upton, F. C. Roberts. Cattle Supervisor: Mr W. H. Miers. Fat Cattle.—Judge: Mr W. J. Marks, Auckland. Stewards: Messrs H. Windsor (chief), P. T. Powell, P. , Vercoe, E. J. Powell. O. Gillespie, R. Ridlev Pedigree Beef Cattle Breeds j Aberdeen Angus. Herefcrds and j Shorthorns.—Judge: Mr H. A. Lop- 1 deli, Putaruru. Stewards: Messrs H. . J. Finlayson (chief). J. McGregor, L. j Cjvnes. Milking Shorthorns.—Judge: Mr | W. J. Law, Ohinepanae. Stewards: j Messrs W. Cooper-Smith (chief). | 1 ’hesterman, L. C. Vickers, J. N. 1 Thirl well. Fricsians.—Judge: Mr N. J. Par- : ker, Dalefield. Stewards: Messrs A. i M. Wilson (chief;, XV. H. Baker, Alan : Baker. Ayrsiii.es.—Judge: Mr J. O. Mor- ! ton, New Plymouth. Stewards: Messrs! C. Davison (chief), R. Baker. D. Me- ' Dowell. j Jerseys.—Judge: Mr J. S. Rae, j Taneatua. Stewards: Messrs A. T. ! Devine (chief), J. McCaw, H. Moreland, H. Miers, T. Hal). B. Miers. Red Polls.—Judge: Mr H. A. Lopdell. Putaruru. Calf Club Classes and Pet Lambs. —Judges: Light breeds, Mr A. Vickers, Ngarua; heavy breeds, Mr J. Stevenson, Taupiri; pet lambs, Mr E. J. Kelly. Stewards: Messrs A. E. j McDonald (chief), J. W. Connell, R. Gee, H. C. Wallace, T. Church, W. | H. Wallace, F. Joynt, E. T. Robinson,

i Energetic secretary of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Mr W. L. Ranstead is a show official in whom any executive would have complete confidence. Much responsibility rests on his shoulders during show time, but he has the willing co-operation cf an enthusiastic committee. This is the sixth Waikato show at which Mr Ranstead has officiated as secretary, and the great progress that the show has made since he was appointed secretary is -a tribute to his administrative ability.

'J- H. Taylor, M. D. Knight, and D. ! Knight. Sheep Supervisor: Mr F. R. Seddon. Romney Marsh.—Judge: Mr H. Voss, Longburn. Southdown and Ryeland.—Judge: Mr J. Webb, Taihape. Stud Sheep.—Stewards: Messrs F. R. Seddon (chief), J. C. Potts, A. L. Yule, Mac. Taylor, Alec Gore, Len Letford, C. Seddon, T. Martin. Fat and Group Lambs.—Judges: Messrs W. J. Marks, Auckland; T. Marks, Auckland. Stewards: Messrs J. M. McNicol (chief), O. Gillespie, W. B. Fearon, W. Dinniss, E. Wilkinson, F. H. Anderson, E. J. Kelly. Sheep Shearing.—Judge: Mr J. Richardson. Steward: C. Seddon (chief). Sheep Dog Trials.—Judge: Mr T. Martin, Rototuna. Stewards: Messrs A. Parkin (chief), E. G. Broad. P. A. de Luen, H. Brown, J. W. Parkin. Pigs Supervisor: Mr George Jew. Tamworth and Berkshire.—Judge: Mr H. E. Thurston, Feilding. Stewards: Messrs A. E. Bickle (chief). S. Hales. Large White and Large Blacks.— Judge: Mr G. M. Whitelock, Palmerston North. Stewards: C. Havebier (chief). Porkers and Baconers.—Judge: Mr ,T. Marks, Auckland. Stewards* Messrs C. P. Harington (chief), C. S. I Mexted, E. J. Jones Poultry | Judge: Mr J. A. Annan, Taumarunui. Superintendent: Mr E. Vernall. i Hamilton Kennel Club Judge: Mr A. F. Brown, Lower Hutt. Show manager: Mr P. Fagan. Dancing Competitions Conducted by the Hamilton Caledonian Society (Inc.) Other Officials Parking and traffic control steward: Mr E. J. McGregor. Gate stewards: Messrs F. Jones (chief), A. J. Smith, F. House and C. A. Hunt. Railway stewards: Messrs J. Allwood and R. Ridley. Saddle cloth stewards: Messrs A. B. Cassidy and W. G. Ranstead. Measuring steward: Mr C. Ramsay. Horse-box steward: Mr H. Rouse. Space stewards: Messrs W. H. Paul, J. Ballard, W. T. Luxton. Lorry cattle steward: Mr C. Wilson. Lorry pig steward: Mr W. Menzies. Lorry sheep steward: Mr H. Reese. Announcer: Mr C. Craig. Field office stewards: Air F. fj. Knight (chief), W. M. Corby. * A

The host at this year’s Summer Show is Mr W. R. J. Franklin, president of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Although this is the first occasion on which he has acted in this capacity, he has a wealth of experience in show affairs for he has been a member of the association’s executive for many years and was well known as the chief steward in the Ayrshire cattle section. Mr Franklin has been farming in the Newstead district for over 20 years.