MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9058, 18 February 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

ITS HISTORY SKETCHED.

A SUCCESSFUL ORGANISATION.

THE FIRST MASTERTON SHOW.

It was as far back as 2877—thirtyone years ago —that the first Agricultural and Pastoral Show was. held in Masterton, and it was a unique gathering. It was held under the auspices of the Masterton and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Association, which the fates decided should have but a short existence.

Mr R. Brown was' secretary for the Association, and from him some interesting facts, were gleaned, as he has still in his possession many document's relating to the Show. The most interesting is a printed sheet entitled "Supplement to the Wairarapa Register, Friday, November 16 th, 1877." This journal was the; nucleus of the present "Wairarapa Age," and the supplement referred to was almost wholly devoted to seating out the Show schedule. TheShow is described as an "exhibition: of stock, implements, poultry, etc. r etc," and each class had its prize money fixed at a certain amount. / The prizes were very substantial for an inaugural gathering, horses, cattle, sheep and pigs receiving a silver-medal or its value in cash,, poultry 10s and ss, and dogs 20s and 10s for first and second place, respectively. The Show was held in the Park, which was a very different place in those days to what it is now. There was no oval, and the vegetation was less extensive, while the park was only partly enclosed, and that with a post and rail fence. The historic old stockade was used as a publican's booth—surely a strange use for such a spot! There was a splendid attendance, and the Show wa.s a pronounced success. Local people knew very little of shows in those far away days, but the quality of the stock was not a bit behind that shown at the present day. A donkey was among the exhibits, and was an object of extreme interest.

Among the names figuring on asubscription list for a ploughing match in connection with the Show were C. A. Vallance, J. Gilligan, W. H. Donald, J. G. Rockell, R. Collins, H. Bannister and J. C Andrew. Several of these were the leading spirits in the gathering. The leaping event was a different class of event to that now held.' The schedule stated that "the jump will consist of a plain bar or pole, beginning at three feet above the ground, and rising by three inches at a time, and competitors will be allowed three attempts at the bar." ,The prize was the handsomi; sum of £ls 15s. The downfall of the Association after such a good commencement is an interesting piece of history. The Wairarapa and Enst Coast Society were holding Shows' alternately at Carterton and Tauherenikau. When the Masterton Association was formed this Society decided that as i«-s own Shows were not faring too well, they would not bold any more. Tne.y therefore sold the whole of their hurdles, tents, and other paraphernalia to tne Masterton Association for £6O. After the Masterton Show, however, a proposition was made to hold a combined Show in a rr.ore central locality, and a proposition to hold such a Show at Taratahi was carried by one vote at a meeting uf the Masterton Association.

GENESIS OF THE PRESENT ASSOCIATION.

It was not until 1885 that the farmers and local tradespeople thought it time that Masterton had become sufficiently important to warrant the establishment of an; Agricultural "and Pastoral Association of its own, which should hold its Show in Masterton. The town was growing in importance, and it was generally thought that a Society would have no difficulty in keeping its head above water until its position was assured. Naturally, opposition was anticipated from the south end of the Valley, and the first minuter of the Association record the interesting fac*; that the Wairarapa and East Coast Society decided not to remove the Show to Masterton. THE FIRST MINUTE BOOK.

This historic document is still in an excellent state of preservation. The records have been well cared for, and the following is a full account of the proceedings at the first meeting, as stated in the minutes:—

"Meeting of gentlemen held on Saturday, the 26th day of September, 1885, at 3 p.m., in the Temple Chambers, Masterton, for the purpose of considering the proposal to form an Agricultural and Pastoral Association in this end of the district, the annual Shows to be held in Masterton. "Chairman.--Mr T. E. Chamberlain, President of the Farmers' Club, was in the chair. :

"Correspondence.--A letter was read from Mr H. H. Wolters, Secretary of the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Association, giving result of meeting of members held on the 19th inst, wherein they decided not to remove the Show to Masterton.

"Decision to form an Association. —lt was decided unanimously to form an Association as proposed. "Name of Association.—Mr R. S. Hawkins proposed, and Mr E. Meredith seconded, That it be called 'The Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association.'—Carried unanimously. "Election of office-bearers.—The-following were elected office-bearers of the Association :—President, Mr R. S. Hawkins, Bowlands, Bideford; Vice-Presidents, Mr Edwin Meredith, Llhtidaff, Masterton; Mr B. P. Perry, Taratahi; Honorary Treasurer, Mr M. Caselberg, Masterton; Secretary, Mr Richard Fitton, Masterton; Auditors. Mr James Brown and Mr Wm. Sellar General Commitee.—A. W. Cave, D. Carman, T. E. Chamberlain, RK. Chamberlain, H. P. Elder, A. A. Elkius, F. B. Chalmers, F. Gray, D. Guild, J. Hessey, W. lorns,, Alex. Johnston, W. Lowes, J.. Macara, R. R. Meredith, J. Morrison, J. Muir, E. McQuarrie, T. Parsons, J. Raynor, F. Shaw, Tai-atahi, J. Stuckey, J. C. Vallance, Job Vile, A. Walker, R. R. Welch. "Executive Committee.—-The President, Vice - Presidents, Treasurer, and the following:—T. E. Chamberlain, F. B. Chalmers, D. Guild, J. Hessey, J. Macara, J. Muir, J. Mor-i rison, T. Parsons, A. Walker.

"Date of Show.—Mr E. Meredith proposed and Mr A. W. Hogg seconded, That the first annual Show be held in Messrs Lowes and lorns' new saleyards, Masterton, on Wednesday, the 25th day of November, 1885. Carried.

"Membership fee.—- Mr T. E. Chamberlain proposed, and Mr T. A. Lyons seconded, That the annual subscription be one pound, and any residents who have premised subscriptions of this amount and over be entitled to membership.—Carried. "The Secretary was instructed to cpllect all subscriptions as early as possible. "Preliminary notice.—The Secretary was instructed to advertise in the local papers a preliminary notice of the date of the first Show. "Executive Committee.—Resolved that a meeting of the Executive Committee be held on Thursday, the Ist -day of October, 1885, at 11 a.m., in .the Temple Chambers. "Robert S. Hawkins, "Chairman."

Mr Hawkins was a well-known figure in Masterton in those days, and j contested the seat. He afterwards , became a Stipendiary Magistrate, v Among the names figuring in the list contained in the minutes it will be noticed that a very large percentage have crossed the border. Some good old settlers are included in these, and in the early days of Masterton they , laboured strenuously in the building up of the township. The Secretary, Mr R. Fitton, is among those who are now no more.

REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD

MEMBER

Mr J. Hessey, who, as will be seen, was a member of the first General Committee, recounted to a '"Wairarapa Age" reporter some interesting incidenls in connection vvith the founding of the Society.

"It was an interesting experiment, was the first show," said Mr Hessey. "The leading spirits were well seconded in the effo-ts by Mr Hawkins, who, with others contributed most generously to the funds, and generally stirred up settlers to interest .themselves in the undertaking. He had a great battle from the ■outset. Carterton Show, of course, was the obstacle to be encountered, and, as is well-known to old residents, something in the nature of a feud was established between the two Shows at'the outset.

"I was determined myself not to let any lack of interest on my part contribute towards failure of the Society, and I made a special trip to the South Island, and purchased first-class sheep and horses. I had some good stock those times,"—and here Mr Hessey showed the pressman a handsome gold medal won by a filly fared by him. "The great trouble we experienced at the start," continued Mr Hessey, "was to make the Show look a Show. One device we resorted to to procure numerical strength of exhibits was to offer a prize for the best collection of farm implements used on any farm. Of course competitors in this section raked up every conceivable article they could find on the place, cleaned it up and it added to the collection. I remember winning this prize myself. Envious Cartertonians used to rail at us about our 'sec-ond-hand exhibits,'but we were not so thin-skinned as to notice these taunts.

"There was nothing like example then to stimulate interest. I remember how we used to go down to the grornds and work at even navvying . on the grounds, making the water jumps and so forth. Mr James McGregor and the Messrs Chamberlain were most energetic helpers, and we ' moved along slowly. "The purchasing of the new grounds was an epoch-marking event. We heard that "Dick" McKenzie had the land on the market, and at once despatched Mr W. Sellar up to the Forty-mil': Bush to find him. He was felling bush, and Mr Sellar went out to him 'at night, and procured Mr McKei.zie's signature to the agreement by candle-light. "On several occasions the Society tottered almost to falling point. I remember once Mr Joe lorns saying to me, 'Hessey, they've got us beat' (meaning Carterton). I replied 'No fear, they haven't,' and we set to with renewed energy, and eventually the Society found itself on a thoroughly sound basis. I am not an active member now, and the Society kindly recognised my earlier efforts by making me a life member." SOME SPECIAL PRIZES. The first budget of special prizes is an interesting list, and is as follows:—Mr £. Meredith, £3 3s for drain plough; Mr Hawkins, £3 3s for rabbit-poisoning plough; Mr D. Anderson, junr., £2 2s for best salt butter; Mr D. Guild £2 2s for best sheep dog; Mr Jas.Elliott,solid silver- . mounted whip for third prize in leaping match; Mr Dalrymple, £2 for best walking horse; Mr Shaw. Berkshire pig, for best milking cow. THE FIRST RAM FAIR ESTABLISHED.

At a meeting of the General Committee held on Wednesday, January 13th, 1886, at 3.30 p.m., in Temple Chambers, Messrs E. Meredith (chairman), T. Chamberlain, D. Carman, T. Way, J. Hcssey,. D. Guild, H. Johnston, and T. Parsons were present. A discussion took place on the advisability of holding a ram and ewe fair. Mr Guild moved, and Mr Chamberlain seconded, That the Association hol.i a ram and ewe fair on Wednesday, February 10th 1886.—Carried. The following fees were fixed :--For rams, 6d each up to 10; 3d each for all over that number: Is single sheep; ewes, Is per score up to 100, 6d per score for all over that number. AGRICULTURAL SHOW LEGISLATION. Contained in the oldest minute book are copies of the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies' Act, 1877, and the Amending Act of 1885. The original Act is intituled "An Act for the Incorporation of Agricultural and Societies of a kindred nature," and the preamble states, "Whereas it is fitting that encouragement should be given to societies for the purpose of promoting the advancement of agriculture, the improvement of live stock, and the different branches of rural industry, and ,the arts therewith connected: By it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, *and by the authority of the

same as follows:—" The Act then sets out in thirteen sections provisions for the incorporation, powers of societies, objects to be pursued and rules to apply to all societies. The Act is a typical production of the old school of legislative printing. It is recorded on foolscap folio paper (a different sized paper to the later Acts), and it is headed "Quudragejimo l'rimo, Victoriae Reginae, No. 12." This dating of Acts of the General Asembly has also been abolished. The paper is of the thick,, coarse quality in use thirty-one years ago, and the document savours strongly of ancient history as it.presents itself to the curious eye. The Amendng Act is very dissimilar in appearance, and its principal object appears to have been to furnish the societies with power to borrow, build, and to buy land on threefojrths of the members consenting thereto.

THE 1890 CATALOGUE. The oldest catalogue in the possession of the Society is that for the Show of 1890. It comprises 28 pages including the cover, and is a ' unique production compared with the one which W'll be issued for the present Show which will contain close upon 200 pages. The get-up of the booklet is instructive as showing the wonderful advance made in the typographical world, the old-fashioned style of type and fancy borders hav--1 ing long ago disappeared into the oblivion of superannuated designs. The catalogue contains 485 entries, while this year tlu entries total approximately 1,850— nearly four times t.he number, an increase of three hundred per cent, in eighteen years. The catalogue sets forth in large type the only competition in the Show iii bold two-line pica type—the leaping match, for which a prize of £6 was offered for first pla-e, £2 2s for second, with a special prize of £1 Is added. For the same competition this year £4O is being distributed—£2s, £lO, and £5 respectively for first, second and third places. In addition there are fifteen other competitions of different kinds: It may be mentioned, among the comparisons, that whilst the reserve price on the publicans' booth at auction for the 1885 Show was fixed at £7, the price paid for the b joth at this year's Show is £ll2. The fruit stall brought £6 then, and now it brings ,£2O.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. The first day is usually chiefly devoted to judging and arranging exhibits. In the afternoon, however, there are a number of interesting competitions, including the maiden jumping with nineteen entries, the hunters' leaping competition with seventeen entries, and a pony jumping competition with thirteen entries.

THE GOVERNOR AND LADY PLUNKET TO BE PRESENT.

Late last evening the President of the Association (Mr J. D. Cruickshank) received a telegram intimating that both the Governor and Lady Plunket would be present at the Show to-morrow. Their Excellencies will arrive by the morning mail train from Wellington, and return by the afternoon mail train.