BAY OF PLENTY SHOWS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 197, 21 June 1939, Page 4

BAY OF PLENTY SHOWS

: CONFERENCE AT TE PUKE . # . TAUKANGA fetLUW DATE ' // : - NO AGBEFMFNT BEACHED A : conference of delegates from tJie A. and P. Associations in the Bay of Plenty was held in To Puke recently for the purpose of finding a solution of the difficulty that has arisen in the la,st cpn fere lice in the fixing of show dates l'o<r the Bay of Plenty Circuit. At the last conference the dates fixed for 1940 were: Katilcati, Saturday, February- 10; Tauranga, /Wednesday*, ’Fbln'uary 14; Te Puke/ Saturday, February 17; Whakatane, Tuesday, February. 20; Opotiki, Saturday, February 24. As the date fixed for Tauranga, which , fell on a Wednesday was not acceptable and an alternative date Saturday, January 27, 1940, had been found to lie the only date suitable, outside the conference dates, the Tauranga Association decided on this date.

The alteration of Tauranga's date had in the opinion of the other mem-ber-Associations the effect of leaving too . long a period between Jvatikaii, Tauranga, and Te Puke Shows and was detrimental to exhibitors of) stock and ring competitions who usually made the complete round of shows. Tlio.. eppference was presided over by Mr. F. B. Hartslioriie, president of the Show Circuit. Delegates were

present as ifollowsr —Messrs. C. B. Bonn, W. Cinpa magian, 0. P. Coleman, (Katikati), M. Bud-dick (Whakataue), K. A. Bennett, I). S. Boss, E. Morton (Te Puke), F. B. Hartstone, G. Norris, A. 0. Tsherwood, A. J. Gallagher, 'secretary, (Tauranga), S. M. Jephson, J. Stans bury, It- J). Looney, G. E. Watson (Opotiki). The"chairman explained to the conference the reason for the change of date of the Tauranga Association. Hat"iirday was the' only day that was suitable for Tauranga, as the Association was largely dependent on the gate lor its revenue and Saturday was now the weekly half-holiday fixed for the town. Hei would! like tpi correct the impression that- In's association objected to Te Puke having a, Saturday for their show day. He and his Association were entirely in agreement with Te Puke having a Saturday. He said the time was at hand when all shows would be held, on the day of the weekly halfholiday. and Tauranga was one that desired a Saturday. It was imperative that. Tauranga sh.ow should be held on 1 the weekly half-holidlay and January *27 was the only day that did not clash with the other dates fixed by the last conference.

Mr. Boss said that as far as his Association was concerned they did not have the impression that Tauranga objected to Te Puke having Saturday. Me would like to make that point clear. It was unfortunate, that, any such impression was held and it was not true. Mir. Jephson said if Tauranga took the 27th. January it would break the circuit and result in the disbanding of

the Show -Circuit. Mr. Bennett said there must be' two ’shows a week to enable exhibitors to do the'circuit. By each Association claiming Saturday it meant extending! the circuit’ from about a, fortnight- to one month. . Mr. Morton said a, month on the circuit was tooi long for* exhibitors to have stock on the road. He regretted if a ns lll-feeling was engendered. Mr. Coleman asked if the meeting was in order. Mr. Gallagher said the meeting was in order. The circuit association had no rules governing this aspect of the •proceedings. Mr. tsherwood said the fixture as laid down by the last conference was quite unsuitable for Tauranga. He thought business houses would not ,agree to closing their premises other than the weekly half-holiday. The Association was dependent on the gate and had to cater for that. The business people by their membership gave substantial support to the show and had to be considered. Mr. ltos.s said delegates to the conference should stand by the decisions of the conference. The original :dra of the combined ' Association was to work together.

Mr. Ruddiek said the date allotted to "Whakatane was suitable. Exhibitors did not- want the circuit to drag on too long. He would like to see some agreement. Mr. Boss saidl it seemed that A. ami P. Associations were losing sight of the purpose of these exhibitions—which were primarily for the exhibition of live sto&k—but were developing into sports attractions. Mr. Hartstone said the shows must cater for the public, which demanded variety. For that reason li'is Association had introduced trotting events and other attractions. The innovation was/ well received. Mr. Morton said it must be recognised that the Tauranga Showground was four miles out of town. To Puke got better support from the farming community than Tauranga apparently did. His Association also had? its financial troubles and for that reason the Saturday gate! was a deciding factor. Mr. Bos ; s suggested that the business people in Tauranga. should be approached. The chairman said it appeared that the conference had reached a deadlock. He had no authority to suggest an alternative date. Mr. Boss suggested* that tiie delegates meet the Tauranga Association and discuss the position. It was decided ~ou tile motion of Mr. Jephson that the original date.s bet adhered to and that delegates from the Four Associations meet the Tauranga Association in a general meeting with a mew toi finding a solution of the question of dates.