EARLY SHOWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1940, Page 10

EARLY SHOWS

MASTERTON A. & P. GATHERINGS IN THE NINETIES Notable and Prominent Workers (Specially Written for the “Times-Age" by Charles Bannister.)

The recent death of Mr David Guild brought to my memory many sayings and doings at early shows of the Masterton A. and P. Association. It was at the first show held at Lowes and lorns’s Saleyards, Renall Street, that I made his acquaintance as a committee man. He was on the cattle committee and I was his help. Thai was November 25, 1885. 11 was his nice, quiet manner, his consideration for others and his thorough reliability that won him a host of friends. He was treasurer for many years and he was a member of the finance committee for a long period. He was president of the association in 1901. I have attended nearly every show held in Masterton, and have had the pleasure of meeting Mr Guild there.

Another old friend I used to meet there was that “grand old man,” Mr James McGregor, the father of Masterton’s shows. His welcome would be: “Well. Charles, old chap, back again once more. It’s somewhat different to our first show at the Stockade in (he 70’s.” He and I worked at dividing the yards at the 1885 Renall Street Show. Then again at the Dixon Street Showground in 1897 we had a working bee. Ho had a pick and I had a shovel. Wo were running another pair and didn’t lie work! I well remember an incident that occurred there. It was a very hot day and we all had a thirst. Mr McGregor rose to the occasion and sent for a keg of ginger beer. It duly arrived on the ground. We all lined up for a drink. One of the leaders: of the Blue Ribbon League was standing by. Mr McGregor said in his jovial way: “Come and have one with us." He camo and had a drink or tried to have one. It was nearly the finish of him; ginger-beer was far too strong for him. He had to be thumped on the back and his stomach rubbed for quite a while. A person standing nearby said: “It is a proof old chap that you are. true to your colours.” Then at Solway, Mr McGregor and I met again. It was not hard work this time. The society had a wonderful ground committee at that period. Messrs Wm. Perry: W. J. Welch and D. McGregor who did wonders there. But Mr McGregor and I did a little. Mr A. W. Cave was another of the original members who did a gneat deal for the early shows. He was on the first general committee. He was president in 1890. 1893 and 1894 and was elected the first patron in 1906. It was Mr (now Sir) William Perry's motion in 1893 to elect some of the younger members on the general committee. Mr Cave had recently nominated 26. mostly farmers’ sons, for membership and out of these Sir William thought they might try some, and by the results achieved the move proved ti success. The following young members

were elected: Messrs W. J. Welch, ci. H. Welch. I. Sykqs. R. Gray and C. Bannister. When one thinks of the line work of Messrs C. F. Vallance, Bland Rayner, D. McGregor. W. J. Welch, R. Gray and others of the “90” brigade, it proved that Sir William’s scheme was a good one. The officers of the association in 1894 were: President. Mr A. W. Cave; vice-president, Mr Jas Stuckey; treasurer. Mr D. Guild; secretary, Mr W. Lowes; general committee. Messrs J. Hcssey, John Harvey. T. P. Lei, R. Gray, William Perry, W. McKenzie. W. J. Welch. I. Sykes. Chas. Bannister. R. Dagg, J. D. Cameron, J. Perry, F. Lewis. J. Yates, E. E. Chamberlain, D. Guild, J. M. Meredith, D. McKenzie, and R. Johnstone. There are only five of the general committee living, and out of 240 members, 14 are still with us.

It was Sir William Perry's idea to change the show from a Spring Show to an Autumn one, which was done in 1897. The first show on the Dixon Street ground was the first Autumn Show and the Ram Fair was held on the following day. This also was a great success. Ram fairs used to be held in the Renall Street yards and it was amusing to see the different buyers with a lump of raddle marking their respective rams. With five or six hundred to mark and about five colours of raddle to do it with, it was no wonder there were many arguments. After the shift to the i new ground there was a sale ring with a pavilion to cover it. and the rams were all ticketed. Mr E. Harper was in charge of the in gate and Mr Fred Hill of the out gate. Mr John Bannister had charge of the pens, turning out and receiving. At the ring there wore only two small holding pens at each side. The alleyways were only one-way traffic affairs the full .length of the pens, without any intersections. Mr Jack Catt drove the rams away and 1 brought them forward. It was a sweltering hot day and we had to work to keep up. We were glad when lunch time came. Then we would visit Mr Shout and his kindly spouse, who had charge of the catering. In the afternoon after school I was glad of the assistance of some of the boys. . In 1897 the Wairarapa and Masterion Ram Fair committees met and agreed to have one ram fair, and that was to be held at Maslcrton under the auspices of both societies. After that it was a two days’ ram fair. Now, when I see the Solway Ram Fair in full swing with its pavilions aridconveniences, I wonder how we put through 1000 rams a day. One feature of the early 90 shows was the beautiful mob of 50 red and roan Shorthorn cattle from Mr D. McMaster’s Matawhero property. Each had a pedigree running a long way back. Another feature was the quality and quantity of the Lincoln sheep.