A. & P. BANQUET

Southland Times, Issue 21091, 24 May 1930, Page 8

A. & P. BANQUET

WYNDHAM’S JUBILEE

HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL GATHERING

SPECIAL TROPHIES PRESENTED

Ample evidence of the interest evinced in the Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Society by its members and supporters was forthcoming last 'evening when the jubilee banquet, with which is incorporated the ceremony of presenting the prizes won at the recent annual show, was held in the Town Hall, Wyndham, proving to be one of the most successful gatherings yet held by the society. A fine spirit of cordiality and goodfellowship, characteristic of farmers’ functions, prevailed and a most enjoyable time was experienced by the large crowd present. Interspersed with a toastlist were many much appreciated musical, vocal and humorous items which jn no small way contributed towards the evening’s success. In reading apologies for absence from Messrs J. A. Broom (Winton A. and P. Society), A. L. Adamson (Southland A. and P. Association), J. E. White (Gore A. and P. Association), G. Gilbertson and J. L. McG. Watson, of the MacKinnon Trust, the chairman, Mr A. Howe, president of the Wyndham Society, said that the MacKinnon Trustees had been very generous to the Wyndham Society in the past and had raised a continuance of such support in the' future.

In extending a welcome to those present the chairman expressed his appreciation of the large attendance considering the- adverse weather conditions prevailing. Tracing the history of the Wyndham Show, the speaker said that the first had been held some 54 or 55 years ago on a spot where the soldiers’ memorial now stood. Unfortunately nearly all records pertaining to the early days had been- lost, but it was understood that the first president was the late Mr James Milne'and the first secretary Mr Harry Robson. Present day members owed a great debt of gratitude to the early pioneers who had brought about the formation of the society. Many difficulties were in their way such as a thinly-settled district, scarcity of stock and an even greater scarcity of money,‘but they had achieved their object and to these promoters of the society the greatest credit was due. The show had been held alternately between Mataura and Wyndham for a few years half a century ago, but Wyndham subsequently blossomed out into a show of its .own which was held in the old showgrounds. Special thanks were due to. the-late Dr Menzies for his forethought in having the ground set aside for that purpose. The society subsequently experienced a lean period and for three years the show was abandoned. It was re-started, however, with fresh vigour and those responsible for that forward move now had the satisfaction of knowing that great progress had been made. The showgrounds, however, proved to be all too small and it was found necessary to shift the location to the recreation reserve. Stock accommodation was limited there and the society, faced with that problem, decided to purchase five acres of land alongside the old showgrounds. The society at the present time had approximately ten acres upon which had been erected very satisfactory accommodation for stock. Exhibitors at the last two shows had expressed their approval of the facilities offered. Reviewing the entries for various shows, the speaker said that ten years ago they amounted to 327, in 1928 to 1262, and in 1929 to 1264, while the gate receipts were now in the vicinity of £lOO. The show had surely to the satisfaction of the district. The chairman in conclusion congratulated district breeders upon their successes at the Royal Show and returned thanks to all the willing helpers who in any way assisted the Wyndham Society. Donors of Prizes Toasted. The toast of the-“ Donors of Prizes” was proposed by Mr A. S. Holms, who extended congratulations to the society upon attaining its jubilee. Referring to the position of the man on the land, the speaker said that it was necessary for farmers to increase their products 1 and to raise the quality of their products. Much had been achieved in this direction by herd-testing and flockgrading, but there still remained much to be done. If New Zealand was going to compete with other parts of the world with its produce it had to consider ■ raising the standard as well as output. The Argentine, where land and labour was cheaper than in New Zealand and where the distance from the Old Country was not so great, was making great progress, but it was not as yet paying the same attention to quality as New Zealand was. In the maintenance of that standard was where A. and P. Societies came in. Wyndham was particularly fortunate in the large number of generous and public spirited donors of special prizes it possessed, the trophies making the show more attractive to exhibitors. Mr Collie rsponded. Presentation of Trophies. The presentation of prizes won at the reccnt o show was undertaken by Mr James Milne, who before carrying out this ceremony, made appreciative reference to the assistance given to the Southland A. and P. Association at the Royal Show by the Wyndham Society. On behalf of the Southland Association Mr Milne then presented the president - of the Wyndham Socity with a gold medal, entitling him to all privileges at the Southland Show. In returning thanks, Mr Howe made reference to the outstanding success of the Royal Show. The list of trophies was as follows: — Most points in Draught Horses: Won by D. E. Caldwell. Chainpion Draught Mare or Filly: J. A. Johnstone. Best Draught Colt or Filly, 2 years or under: P. Frisken. Most Points in Light Horses: Adam Jack. Best Colt, Filly or Gelding, Trotting or Pacing, 2 years or under: E. W. Agnew.' ■Most Points ■in Ponies: Won outright byJ. A. - Hedley. Most Pointe in Purebred Dairy Classes: W. Y. Dickie and Sons. Most Points in Friesian Cattle: W. Y. Dickie and Sons. Most Points in Ayrshire Cattle: A. M. Weir. Most Points in Jersey Cattle: Won outright by R. Gibb. Best Type of Purebred Dairy Heifer: D. Wright. Best Type of Crossbred Cow or Heifer showing most Dairy Points: John Smith. Most Points in Dairy Cows and Heifer in Calf and/or in Milk: A. M. Weir. Edendale Cup: R. S. Weir. Purebred Bull any breed, any age: W. Y. Dickie and Sons. Best Crossbred Yearling Heifer: John Smith. Southland Times Breed Trophy: Ayrshire breed. Most Points in Romney Sheep: Won outright by.H. Stirling. Most Points in Purebred Sheep: J. A. Edwards. Most Points in Border Leicester: Won outright by J. A. Edwards. Most Points in Fat Lambs: P. Campbell., Most Points in Cheese: Won outright by Menzies Ferry Factory. Most Points in Baking Classes: Won outright by Miss M. Knapp. Most Points in Bread and Scones: Miss M. Knapp. Most Points in Butter: Won outright by Mrs R. McDonald. Most Points in Junior Section: Miss M. Henry. Pony Jump: Won by Cyril Kirby. MacKinnon Memorial Competition. The results of the MacKinnon Memorial Competition were announced as follows:— Class A Grade 3A and' Upwards: Jack Hunter (Mimihau) 1 (also medal), James Millar (Mimihau) 2, Dorothy Davis (Wyndham) 3. , ■. .- Class B, Grade 2 and Lower: Ena Morton (Morton Mains) 1, Ernest Johnston (Redan) 2, Elizabeth Henry (Mokoreta) 3. Class C, Grade —Secondary Pupils: Jean Howe (Wyndham) 1 (also medal), Wilfred Rhodes (Gore) 2, Freda Wilkinson (Gore), and Nancy O’Brien (Wyndham) equal, 3. The following were highly commended: Iris Laurie (Gore), Mary McKenzie (Gore),

Jean Reid (Gore), Alice Robinson (Wyndham). . ■' . /- 1 "-

Other toasts honoured were: “The Winners of Prizes,” “The Ladies,” “The Entertainers,” and “The Chairman.” y s During the evening the following contributed items: Misses Thomson, King, Milne and Mrs Paton (songs);. Messrs R. Henry (pianoforte items), N.'Sansom (songs), W. Aitchiaon (songs and stories)/Gordon Reed (humour), P., Webb (humour), D. Leckie (songs). Mr,R. Henry was accompanist.