SHOW WEEK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2929, 15 November 1916, Page 9

SHOW WEEK

SOMETHING OF THE WANGANUI A. AND P. ASSOCIATION IN THE FRONT RANK Mr. S. Gifford Moore, when upon by The Dominion's representative was still receiving entries for the big Show that is to be bold by the "Wanganui Agricultural Association on the racecourse to-day and to-morrow.. The only entry ho would not receive was: that of a big, good-natured collie dog,j winch had to be forced out of the office at the toe of -the energetic secretary*-) Mr. Moore's memory respecting tna] history of the association is dear! enough, to bo interesting. He stated! that the association had been started: away back in 1871, and such name 3 as' the late Ewan Campbell, Major Somerville, and Messrs; Alfred Burnett, and' T. D. Cummins were connected with its: flappor flights. In those days the show; was a small affair, held on a piece of flat land on the other side of the Wa- ; nganui Bridge. At that time there was more flat land between the cliff and the river bank than now. Mr. i Moore could recollect when shops and; houses frontedthe road or the riverside (with thoir backs to the river).; But one day—in 1891—tie river, laving eaten its way, quietly into the ban.k, insinuated itself with so much force! and persistance that the equilibrium of the overhanging land above became disturbed and down it toppled into tbe river, houses, shops, and all, and the flood waters carried them to sea. That accident considerably curtailed the amount of flat land on the Campbelltown side of tbe river. It was not that trouble which caused the association to suspend operations, but through natural hardupness, no Show was held in 1890 or 1891; but in 1892 the existing association was formed, and it has continued to flourish ever since.

"You must understand," said _ Mr. Moore, "that no A. and P. 'Association can exist itself. It has to be kept alive by voluntary support—even the Pahnerston North Show. I don't think that is altogether right. Those Shows are educative—educativo in the right direction, and I think they ought to be subsidised by the Government. Some years ago a Bill was promoted giving power to local bodies to exempt the lands of A. and P. Associations from rates, but it never wont through. Still, that is ono way in which such associations could bo helped, in order that they may continue giving the splendid educativo aid to the backbone of the country. Wo do not pay fates in Wangauui, for the simple reason that we hold our Show on the "\Vanganui Ilacing Club's course, which is very generously given us each year without payment of any kind. Our Show ranks among the very best in New Zealand. For instance,, in this Show we've got Palmerston down in everything except cattle. "Where we suffer in comparison is that we haven't got tho find appointments that Palmerston has, nor can wo hope to have them until we get a ground of our own.- That matter has beeu mooted, but nothing definite has been .arrived at owing to the upsetting influence of the war."

Referring to the Show, wliich begins to-day, Mr. Moore said that the entrios were most satisfactory. For example, thoy had sixty odd pens of fat sheep, whereas Palmerston had none; and their fat cattle entries were good. The fat shocp entries were influenced, perhaps, by the- fact that the New Zealand Refrigerating Company had offerer a thirty-guineas cup for competition in that section—to bo won three, times beforo being secured outright. The horso entries were also good, and in the heavy draughts were three thoroughbreds of a fine class. The association's Show could be said to fairly reflect the growth of the district, for as the- back lands wero being broken in tho entries grow and grew, and this year were better than the previous best. - . Mr. Moore said that a feature of the Show would bo .the sale of n number of fat sheep and cattle by auction at 4 p.m. to-morrow, half tho proceeds of which were to go to tho Red Cross funds. The ladies were to managa tho afternoon tea kiosk, which effort was also to benefit the Patriotic Funds.