Looking Backward-

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 291, 21 November 1936, Page 2 (Supplement)

Looking Backward-

A s tor X Phenomenal Progress is the Record of the Stratford A . & P . Association

&f) t a • • - Although not as old as many other similar Associations 2 in New Zealand, the Stratford Agricultural and Pastoral AssoL coation as an enviable record of progress to look back on durn ing the past twenty-seven years. It has grown in membership, . J influence and prosperity and its great event of the year-—the P Annual Spring Show——is one of the greatest events of the district. . 0

I ft I H The Association was formed | in/ T9lO and the first Show was field on Dec. 7 of that year. AcL cbrding to old filgs of “The StratJfdrd Evening Post/’ the originator was Mr. John D. Healey who, alter consulting some friends and finding immediate support, approached the Mayor of Stratford p (Mr. Jonas Rasters) with his plan. The Mayor called a meeting to consider the proposal and unanimous support was immediRAPID PROGRESS MADE. ■ B F\ -Progress was then rapid—’ phenomenal even. Everybody in Stratford town and district eagerk ly helped to build the Associa- | tion. The townspeople, particularly the business houses, were specially generous in responding /■tA the appeal for funds and fin- [ WM-ft' placed on a sound at the commencement of the Association’s career. ii To«day, 27 years later, Stratfsrdjs justly proud of this appointments of its Show Grounds. &t in 1910, that pride was | greater. For, says the “Post” on tjfce eVe of the.first Show, “it has | like -distinction of being the most k ambitious effort in the Show ’/movement of the country. Promen of large ideas, and of: unbounded faith in the future of their district, the Show has planned more for the future than, for the present. It is no exaggeration to say that no similar society has even opened its gites with the same grounds and

appointments. The leading Show Societies, commanding patronage and a gate which the Stratford Association will never attain, have not in a single instance provided the comfort and convenience for country visitors which the Stratford Society, k bArely six months old, now owns. The good grandstand, and the splendid produce hall, are all evidence of progressive character of the men directing the movement.’’

With true appreciation of the holiday spirit which actuates show patrons, the Association set out to cater fully for everyone. Thus it was that the banks of the stream skirting the property were planted with ornamental trees which not only beautify the grounds but also provided shady spots for those who wished to make Show Day, a picnic day. RECORD OF SOARING ENTRIES. For the first. Show on December 7, 1910, nearly 1300 exhibits were entered. This was the first answer to the objection that a Show in Central Taranaki was unnecessary because of Shows in New Plymouth and Hawera. Since then the number of exhibitsc .has, of course, increased trempndously and Stratford Show needs to bow before no other Taranaki centre either for quality or quantity. 1 From its birth the Association hasj in the main, a history of soaring sentries and gate returns but,

most important of all, a soaring in the quality of the stock exhibited. 1 hi§ position has been attained largely because of the progressive policy of the Association, making provision for more classes nearly every year in order to cater for exhibitors. Central Taranaki farmers have been taught the value of competitive showing and the constant improvement in the quanity of stock and produce is due, in part at least, to the standard developed by competitive showing.

ASSOCIATION OFFICERS. Executive members have never been slow in showing initiative. An examination of the Show Ground and an inspection of its buildings will confirm that. To the Stratford Association, too, belongs the credit for introducing steer riding competitions at agricultural and pastoral shows, while in 1933 when the new Stratford Main Trunk I line was opened for passenger traffic, a special, train was run as an excursion. As a result, visitors came from north of I aumarunui. A glance'at the lists 'of past and present officers of the Association published elsewhere in this issue will show many famous residents of Central I aranaki. Particular reference should be made to Mr. A. David, who held the office of President from 1929 to 1935, seven years of sound and faithful service to the Association and to the district. I his year he has been succeeded by Mr. A. H. R. Amess, a Vice-Pre-sident from 1931 to 1934 and an enthusiastic supporter and worker for the Association. The Secretary is Mr. W. F. Ross, who was appointed in 1929 following Mr. A. J. Barr, who had 'held office from 1919.