THE SHOW STOCK TRAINS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1387, 13 March 1912, Page 8

THE SHOW STOCK TRAINS.

RECIPROCAL KNTHIES,

Speaking at Hie meeting of Hi'o;e interested in show slock at Cambridge last week, ilr. W. T. Penny, secretary of the Mannwntu A. and P. Association, explained that tho meeting had been called to obtain an exchange of views on the question of extension'of reciprocal entries between the Jlanawatu and West Coast A. and I'. Association on the one hand, and tlie two principal Waikato shows on theother. Jf tho movement now being initiated should emerge with a modicum of tho success hoped for, there would then bo no reason why the other larger shows should not join in the movement. Tho other show committees in the Wellington and Hawke's Bay provinces had not yet teen approached. He emphasised the advantages to be obtained by the northern breeders exhibiting at Palmerston North, and southern breeders returning the compliment by taking their valued blood stock to the northern shows. . . . At the last Jlanawatu show, in conversation with Jlr. W. Taylor, of Te Awainutu, that gentleman gave strong expression of his views on tho unsatisfactory transport facilities for show stock on the Main Trunk line. From that conversation sprang tho idea now initiated. There was no doubt that tho long journey, coupled with detentions and much shunting, acted as a very strong deterrent to breeders taking risks with their prize animals. Tho remedy, firstly, was self-help, and ho was there to ask the exhibitors not only to help their Agricultural and Pastoral Societies and the • public generally, by giving support to tho scheme proposed. It would be useless approaching the Railway Department w'ith a request to furnish special trains, unless they had something definite Ito lay before them. That Department was not a philanthropic institution, mid they must be prepared, to offer something for something when they approached them. He suggested that as many as could see their way clear to do so should hand in their names to forward so many head of horses, cattle, or sheep for the next Jlanawatu show. On the numbers offered depended the success or otherwise of tho scheme. It would bo necessary there should bo a certain amount of freight to enable the Department to give what they required. If .a tram starting from Auckland and picking up on to Te Kuiti (Thames Valley, Rotorua, and Cambridge lines, transhipping at Frankton) were guaranteed, both stock and attendants would travel with a degree of comfort not at present obtainable. Possibly some exhibitors might desiro to exhibit at tho Hawke's Bay and Carterton shows, which took place prior to the Palmerston show. If, then, the other breeders joined in and still made up a full train for first Hastings, second Carterton, and thence to Palmerston North, the assistance of the breeders in those two centres would bo more easily commanded for reciprocal entries. The speaker urged those present to support the project and take steps to giyo such a guarantee as lie indicated, and his association would give every assistance in obtaining a like guarantee at their end. Somo might wish the Carterton, Hawke's Day, Jlanawatu, and Wanganui shows brought into the arrangement, but whatever was decided upon he trusted no delay would occur in getting it under way before next spring show season. It needed no great perspicacity to seo that tho movement as outlined would be of immense benefit to the various associations, and would go very far in cementing the union of interests in both provinces. The meeting passed the following resolutions :— "That tho railway facilities for show stock by the Main Trunk lino, between the Auckland and Wellington provinces, having been' such as to almost prohibit would-be exhibitors from making use of the line, this meeting of breeders feels it imperative that steps should be taken to improve the conditions, so as to encourago a free interchange of show stock botween north and south." N "That this meeting of breeders heartily endorses the suggestion that reciprocal entries of stock be made, between tho northern and southern A. and P. Associations, and will individually endeavour to give effect to the movement." "That a committee consisting of breeders and exhibitors of show stock be appointad to act when necessary with the secretaries of the Auckland, Cambridge, and Jlanawatu Associations for tho purpose of furthering tho proposals made, to extend the principle of reciprocal entries; also that the association bo requested to nominate representatives, if necessary, for the purpose of urging on the Minister for Railways the desirability of putting on through fast stock trains between tho north and south portions of this island."