AGRICULTURAL SHOWS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 253, 1 November 1939, Page 1

AGRICULTURAL SHOWS

BAY OF PLENTY ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE AT Tllil PUKE (Bay of Plenty Times.) A well-attended conference of delegates of Bay of Plenty. Agricultural and Pastoral Associations was held in Te Puke last month. The conference wa s called on the requisition of Opotiki ail'd Katikati Associations for the purpose of deciding whether it was desirable to bold the circuit shows in the changod-conditjons brought about by the war.

The following delegates were present : Messrs. C. B. Roan, M. T. Hotter, O. P. Coleman (Katikati), F. B. Hartstone,-A. O. Isherwood, G. G. Norris, A. J. Gallagher (Tauranga), E. Morton, K, Bennett, A. Gill (To Puke), M. Ruddick, W. Howat, Gordon Kent (Whakatane). 1). Beattie, K. I). Looney, T. Pearson (Opotiki^.

Alr.“Harrison, who presided, said the conference was called to consider •the advisability of continuing the shows in view of the extraordinary circumstances consequent upon the outbreak of war. He asked for the opinions of. Associations so far as the representatives present -could express them. Me. said owing to the extraordinary conditions that had arisen it was problematical whether the Tauranga Show would be held. The decision of the conference would he placed before a general mecling to he. held later.

Mr. Ruddick said he was in favour of carrying on with the fixture. II the circuit was not continued lie thought individual shows or features should take their place. It would he hard to pick up if the- circuit were ffmndoned.

Mr. Looney said Ids Association, was divided in opinion as to the advisability. of’ bolding the show. '.I he Association had money in hand and wanted to keep it. If the conference was in favour of continuing bis Association would] join in.

Mr. Bonn said aj. a meeting of bis Association opinion was divided, but he was agreeable to joining in with other Asociations or hold a gymkhana in the event of the circuit being abandoned.

Mr. Isherwood said Tauranga had to face a difficult position. The war would make big demands on man-pow-er which in ordinary, circumstances was a serious problem with those who had to* handle stock exhibits. Mr. Beattie said lie was a: breeder exhibitor and thought serious consideration should hi* given belore finall,\ deciding to hold the circuit. Each Association was in a hotter position to judge what should he done in: the circumstances.

Mr. Morton said ho could not say definitely what bis Association thought. He was in favour ol cur lying on meantime if the support of the public was forthcoming-.. During the Great. War the fixture was -passed on from date to date. Air.. Hartstone said Ids Association, in the* circumstances, would be taking a grave risk to ImhI: the Tauranga fixture on a Wednesday, lie had the opinion o| local breeders ami they were against holding a show. '1 hose who thought of holding flu* show strongly stipulated that it should he held, if afa all, on a Saturday. Mr. .Beattie said the members of his Association had agreed to dif lei* on the question. Each Association was the best judge ol what it could and should do, keeping in view the heavy commitments. Continuing, Air. Beattie agreed with Air. Isherwood in regard to the shortage of labour.. Restrictions might come down, such as the recent benzine restriction, and cut tin* ground from under their feet. A show did not depend entirely on .members’ subscriptions but largely on gate takings. His Association intended to increase the prize money* this year, but the idea had since been'abandoned. In any case any* surplus irom shows worn Id probably go to the patriotic fund. Air. Coleman said bis Association was about lilty-lifty on/'holding the show. His Association would join in the circuit jf the conference *0 decided,

Mr. Howat said the time bad not yet arrived to drop the fixture. it would! he hard to work the circuit up if it were dropped. The question was further discussed wlii'ii the following motion, moved by Mr. Isherwood, was put to the meeting: That each Association * hold its show or other function as best suits its circumstances, care being taken to avoid clashing of dates of member Associations as fixed by* the conference. Air. Trotter seconded the motion. In speaking to the motion the mover said this would leave each Association free to hold whatever it. thought best on the dates already fixed and would have tbe advantage of retaining the circuit of the Associations. 'rin* chairman ruled that each Asociation have one vote only. After consideration the motion was put* andl carried by three votes to two. Tauranga, Whakatane, and Opotiki voted for the motion and Te Puke and Katikati against it.

The Opotiki delegates notified that the Opotiki fixlurc would be held oil Friday, February 28 as being more suitable than the date previously fixed by the conference.