Lack of Support For Summer Show

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26631, 29 November 1947, Page 2

Lack of Support For Summer Show

A disappointing feature of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Summer Show in Dunedin this week was the poor support given by farmers of the province to a large number of the classes for sheep, cattle and pigs.’ There were no entries in tjie classes for fine combing Merinos, strong combing Merinos, English Leicesters, Shropshire Downs, Suffolks or crossbred ewes. Only one exhibitor supported the claSses for Ryelands, Corriedales (four classes neglected) and Dorset Horns (five classes neglected). There were only three exhibitors or fewer in the classes for Border Leicesters. natural condition Border Leicesters, Romney Marshes. Southdowns, natural condition Southdowns, and fat sheep (seven classes for which were neglected). In the cattle section no entries were received for the Shorthorn. Aberdeen Angus or Red Poll classes, while there were only two exhibitors of Milking Shorthorns. In the pig section there were no entries in the classes for Large Whites, Large Blacks or Berkshires, and only one exhibitor entered Tamworths (four classes for which were neglected). Only three exhibitors were represented by baconers and porkers. Such lack of support can be attributed principally to transport problems. the shortage of labour, and the increasing costs of exhibiting stock at shows. The judge of the pigs, Mr W. Simpson, of Southbridge, Canterbury, contended that the small prize money and few trophies were the reasons for the poor support accorded the section. Mr Simpson is an experienced show judge, and his contention is worthy of serious consideration. No farmer, before he enters stock for a show, requires a guarantee that all his costs will be defrayed, but attractive prize money and trophies will undoubtedly induce him to take the risk of expense when the stakes are high and when—like most farmers—he believes his stock are champions. The Otago A. and P. Society’s Committee of Management has a problem which will not be solved easily, but a solution must be found if the Otago Summer Show is to be regarded as one of the major agricultural and pastoral exhibitions of the province instead of a minor show of little interest apart from its light horse events