"THOSE WERE THE DAYS"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 February 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

"THOSE WERE THE DAYS"

MR HUGH MORRISON RECALLS EARLY SHOWS Changes the Years Have Wrought SOME FEATURES THAT HAVE DISAPPEARED Experiences and impressions of early day Masterton Shows, when they were held at the old saleyards in Renall Street, were recalled by Mr Hugh Morrison, Wairarapa Provincial President of the Farmers Union, and a former president of the A. and P. Association, in an interview with a “Times-Age” reporter. While he regrets the loss of a number of features of early Shows which new generations with changing ideas and different appetites for entertainment have discarded, Mr Morrison considers that over the years the Shows have played an important part in improving sheep-raising, the Wairarapa’s basic industry. Mr Morrison believes that the favourable season should ensure a splendid exhibition of cattle and sheep at this week’s Show and considers that the combined patronage of town and country folk will make the two-day fixture an outstanding success.

Mr Morrison recalls that the first Show he attended as a small boy was held in Lowes and Sons’ saleyards m Renall Street, near where Wairarapa College now stands. The yards were used for the stock exhibits. As a youngster he was naturally more interested in horses than in sheep and cattle and he particularly remembers the jumping competitions. The obstacles were the highest he has ever seen either in New Zealand, Australia or overseas. The champion daredevil rider at his first Show was Mr Dick Bannister, of Langdale, who rode about half a dozen different horses. On one occasion Mr Bannister’s horse baulked at the big brush jump, which was so high that the rider could not see over the top. He was an absolute hero to Mr Morrison as a boy of seven or eight and as he rode horse after horse the keyed up crowd of about 3,000 would shout “Go it Dick!” and Dick would certainly go it.

EXCELLENT DISPLAYS. There were excellent displays of sheep and cattle at Shows in those far-off days, although they were of a different type and breed to those exhibited now. Shorthorns predominated in the cattle section and the quality and condition of the animals was as fine as could be produced' anywhere. The horses were marvellous. There were no Romneys or Southdowns in the sheep classes, which comprised Merinos, half-breeds and Lincolns. For the town of Masterton, Show week was undoubtedly the most important event of the year. It was most difficult to obtain accommodation, hotels and boarding houses being crowded out. From as far away as sixty miles, visitors travelled to the Show in buggies and on horse-back. A journey of that nature occupied a whole day. The lady competitors rode in side saddle and wore long skirts and top hats. The men wore skintight trousers, leather leggings over Wellington boots and their spurs, and wide-brimmed hats gave them a cowboy effect. SIDESHOW ATTRACTIONS. At early Shows, the sideshows were mainly on the lines of circus events and included horse-drawn merry-go-rounds, fortune tellers, confidence men and wrestlers, who offered wide open challenges to the crowd. On one historic occasion Mr Morrison’s brother, the late Mr Rupert Morrison, had the good fortune to knock out one of those champion wrestler-boxers and his delight was so great that he immediately presented the loser With £lO as a tangible token of sympathy. Even in the “good old days” tempers apparently became frayed at times and Mr Morrison recalls that

once at Show time a “challenge” fight was in progress in the yards of the Club stables, with a large crowd using the rails as a grandstand. Mr Alex. Cameron was acting as referee when, after several hectic rounds, the then Mr Walter Buchanan, M.P. for Wairarapa arrived on the scene. Mr Buchanan demanded that the fight be stopped. Mr Cameron protested and appealed to the crowd for support, stating that if the fight were stopped he would contest the next general election against Mr Buchanan. There were cheers from the crowd; and the fight continued.

MASTERTON BAND A FEATURE. The Masterton Band was a feature at the old Shows and at night they marched from the centre of the town leading large crowds to the Showgrounds. To the country children it was an outstanding event as band music was a real treat to them in those days. Another feature that has disappeared from present-day Shows was the combined jumping in sets of four by the Wairarapa Mounted Rifles in their wide-awake hats. The four Tilson brothers were nearly always successful in those spectacular events. The number and variety of horsedrawn vehicles was a source of great interest and at times amusement. There were six-horse teams of draughts, tandems, and four-in-hands, all turned out to perfection. They made a great display in the Grand Parade. The late Mr Rupert Morrison once turned out with a fine four-in-hand with a real nigger playing a banjo as the highlight of the outfit. The holiday spirit reigned supreme in Masterton at Show time and public entertainments at night were crowded to the doors. Where the excellent comedians came from in those days and where their type has gone to was a matter for conjecture. The livery stables were the real pivot of all activities at Show time. The night before the Show the staffs would be doubled to cope with the innumerable Show and other horses. Sheds and paddocks were hired to provide for the hundreds of horses and the feeding and handling arrangements were remarkable. Horse-drawn bus services were commissioned to transport the non-mounted public from the railhead, which was then at Masterton. Today the motor displays were probably the best patronised at Shows, but in the old days there were the heavy transport wagons and lorries, all of which were made locally, providing employment for many men. Round about Show time the local farriers reaped a harvest and the ring of their anvils could be heard all over town. In addition to the Show horses, those from the backblocks had to be reshod on reaching town.