WAIKATO AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3025, 3 December 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

A MKETINR of Waikato settlers was held in Delaney's hall at, Ohaupo on Tuesday afternoon, after Mr Jno. McNicol's sale, to consider the desirableness of holding an agricultural show in Waikato in ISt)2. There wero about 80 present, amongst whom we noticed Alessrs Jno. Fisher (Chairman Cambridge Branch Waikati Farmers' Club), A. Primrose (Chairman Hairiltin Branch), A. Gane, G. K. Clark, J. McNicol, S. Steele, J. Forrest, R. \V. Dyer, M. H. Pickering, H. Paton, G. EJgecumhe, C. .T. Storey, C. Day, R. Watson, H. Roche,. Jno. Scott, G. Finch, A. 0. Jones, E. H. Pilling, R. Reynolds, J. Barugh, E. Souter, G. Way, J. D. Williamson, T. Williamson, W. Scott, E. T.' Dodd, W. Gardner, J. S. Bond, B. Ewon, G. F. McCnllazh, C. Bowden, J. R.'cS. Richardson, C. J. W. Barton, F. Bnwden, T. G. Sandes, W. J. Hunter, M. Butler, C. Hunter, R. F. Sandes, S. Seddon, E. Allen, Main, J. B. Teasdale, Palmer, Corricran, Morrish, W. Taylor, Wrigley, H. Fitzgerald, J. T. Edwards, D. McNicol, A. Kusabs, F. C. Germann, J. Bainbridge, J. Wills, J. 11. Kelly and a number of others.

Mr John Fisher, as chairman of the Cambridge Branch of the Waikato Farmers' Club, took the chair, and called on Mr Butler, secretary to that institution, t.i read the following notice which appeared in This Waikato Times calling the meeting :- Waikato Farmers'Club.—A meeting of settlers interested in holding a ceneral agricultural show in Waikato in 1892 will be held at Ohanpo on Tuesday, December Ist, immediately after Mr J. McNicol's •ale.

Mr Fisher eaid this notice was the result of a meeting of the Cambridge Branch of the Farmers' Club held a fortnight ago when the subject of an Agricultural show for Waiknto carne up for discussion. The majority at that meeting had thought the subject too important a one to be dealt with by the Farmers' Club, as the whole of the settlers being interested they should have a say as to whether a show should be held, and if so where it should ho held. He was sorry to see such a small gathering (after this a large number came in) especially of the large stock owners. There could be no doubt, Waikato had stock equal to any in tha colony but if the settlea.s themselves would not co-operate they could not expect to do much. The matter was now open for discussion and he would be glad to receive any proposal regarding it.

Mr John McNicol said with regard to thn show ho was quite sure that the time had arrived, and that the settlors in Waikato could now hold a good show. They were in a position to hold the best show out of Auckland, and he was not sure that they could not hold a better show even than the last one held in Auckland. The success of that show was due t> the exhibits from the Waikato ; it was t.hn Waikato sheep that made the show the success it was. Waikato now had the best sheep in the province and horses and cat'lo as good as any other part. It remained with the settlers themselves whether they have a show or not, and if they liked they could mikn it a show. He proposed that an agricultural and pastoral show be held in Waikati in 1892. (Applause).

Mr H. Roche second'd the proposal, and said the time had atriwd for a show in Waikato. Some years ago he had hsen on a committee of a show held in Waikat-i, ind which was a Bond show, hut local jedousies hail crept in. ca'i.sing it to deteriorate and die nut.. They should have a show, a-id make it not a local one, but a Waikato sh'iw. Tho placo where it should lie held should be the one inixt convenient for the public. All local jealousies should be put asicK f. rai long as the settlers were divided they cool i not. hrinsr themselves or their produce prominently befora the public.

There being no further discussion, and no amciidir.mil". tiroposed, the Chairman, put Mr McNicol's motion, which was carried unanimously.

The Chiiirmin t'i"u said that tho next question lo be decided would be as to tho miv-t suitable plaie t i hold the thow.

Mr C. Day pmposed Hint the show ba hold on the racecourse, at Claodala-nds.

Tn seconding this proposal Mr McXicl said that, there was no belter site in Waikat) for holding an agricultural show, or anv gathering of the Waikato peopli. To make the gathering a .success they must cater for the public and take them where there is the best accommodation and most convenience. In connection with a show jumping , , trotting, and pony competitions might bo introduced and t'ier3 was no other place in Waikato which offer.id such conveniences as the Claudelinds racecourse. In addition to this, Claudelands gave every facility for sending stock by rail. He was not a IlaT.ilton. or a Cambridge, or an Ohaupo man. He made his living in Waikato and ho was speaking strictly as a Waikato man (Applause.)

Mr J. B. Teasdale endorsed Mr McXicol's remarks as to the facilities affor led by the Claudelands racecourse; but he would remind them tlvit thei'3 was a county further on which would soon be the best for a show. At the present time, however, Hamilton was the best pla-.e for a thorough Waikato show.

Mr James Fnrrast said it appeared to him that the men who fallowed «very little stream had no backbone. Hi-! friends in Cambridge had been taken in. Several leading farmers had expressed an omniiin that the show should be held in Cambridge; but he could see they were going to vote the other wav. Cambridge was gradually losing everything, the last gathering they had lost being the Waikato Hunt Club Meeting, which had been taken away from Cambridge by a meeting at Ohaupo. It did not matter where the show is held. When he Advocated Cambridge, he did so knowing that there wera snmo ten or twelve men who would be willing t > do the work, and also that Cambridge would find most of money. If there wera twelve men in Hamilton willing to carry out the work h« would be qoifri paHsfied for it to be held there. (A voice : There are thirteen.) Xo doubt the gentlemau counted Mr John McNicol in the number. They all knew in Cambridge what Mr McNicol was ; he was almost a whole show in himself. He was a thorough business man, and as such was looked up to by tho people ir. Cambridge and also in Ohaupo ; Iwt Hamilton, not being an agricultural district, the people there worshipped the ground he trod on. They must look to the qupstion of finance. He held that wherever the show is held that place should he responsible for any deficiency that might occur. Cambridge was quite willing to tin this. He did not agree with fixing the place for holding the show permanently. Hamilton, he said, was entitled to a show; but it should be held where the people are willing and capable of carrying it out. It was impossible to expect the Auckland show to come to Waikato, and he did not think it would make much difference where tho show was held in Waikatn—whether at Hamilton, Cambridge, or Ohaupo. A stationary show had always been a failure, but whon shifted about they were always successful. This •vas evidenced by the horticultural show ; but ifc could not be expected that one place should make up a deficiency incurred at another place, a.j hnd been done with these shows.

Mr George Edgecumbe said Mr Forrest, in introducing localities, had touched on a subject which should have been avoided on this occasion. No matter where the show is to be held, every district should send its representatives and help it alone, and make it a success. (Applause). The success mainly depends on ths way the show is carried out. The committee must be a representative one, and they must not say that the show is to be entirely carried out by Cambridge or Hamilton people, if the show is to be held in cither of these places.

Mr R. Reynolds said, as a stock-owner, he was very glad to see that Waikato was to hare a show in ISO 2. It was quite time that they commenced aciin ; they had been in the back ground long enough. There was stock in the Waikato sufficient to make a good show if the big companies would exhibit, but he would have liked to have seen their representatives present at the meeting. The stock in Waikato was equal to any in the province. As to the place for holding the show, he would rather t\ke his stock twenty miles and havs good competition than take them five miles and have none. He did not mind beine beaten, as he thoneht that defeat often did more good than success. When beaten, they would put their shoulder* to the wheel, and try to do better, but if they won they would be apt to gn.w careless. He would sive his support to a show to be held in Hamilton, if carried by a hi\*o majority, but ho would not support a local show. Mr McNicol said the big companies would take part.

Tho cbnirman slid that with regard to the bier companies he would have liked better to have seen their representatives present ami heard what they had to say about thn show. Before hn could gU'e the show any support ho would lik" nvv thin verbal security thit they would rhow. If he «h»w w.is'not. going to bo a success it, would ba better fur Ilium to try and make

the Auckland show a greater success. 11 i> remomburoa shows in Auckland M yc irs ago that would compare favourably with the one hold last month. Mr John McNicol said that ho had spokon to the managers of three of the big estatos and ha would givo his pergonal guarantee of iC'iO that they would take part in the show. Mr Day's motion that tho show b» Inld on tho Claudolands Racecourse wus then put and carried unanimously. Mr H. Windsor said that at tho Ca'iibridge show tenorlwolvo years a?o tho bier companies had held back to give the small settlers a chance. The small settlers could not be expected to compi'U with the big companies and he thought it would be bitter if they would stand out. Mr McNicol: "They can compete with them and lick 'ora."

Mr S. Steele thought that difficulty if necessary could be ent over by limitinc somo of thn competitions to those occupying only certain limited areas as was done in other countries.

The best time for holding the show was then diacussed, Mr McN'icol being of opinion that the cpring of the year would be tho bost time now that Waikato was going in for turniping, but formerly stock were at their best in the aut'imn. After some further discussion,

MrS. St'elo moved tha , . the Wuikuto Show for 1892 be held on a date previous to to the Auckland Show anil that a goner il committee be appointed t'> conduct tho show. Seconded by Mr Teasdale and carried.

Mr Teasdale then mivecl that the general committee consist of the following with power to add :—Messn J. Hutchinson.C. J. St >rey, W. Taylor, J. R. Foster, W. S. Rutherford, G. E. Clark, J. Forrest, Jno. Fisher. W. G. Park, M. H Pickering, J. Barngh, R. Reynold*, J. Wilis, C. Day, G. Edgecumbe, A. Primrose, Jno. Gordon, N. I. Hunt, G. W. Sare, R. Rathborne, K P.. Cox, Capt. Runciman, Jsia. Gordon, J. McNicol, I. Coates, S. Steele, J. H. Scott, W. M. Douglas, R. C. Mithias, E. Lake, M.H.R., F. W. Lang. T. G. Sandes, T. Walker, I. Hodgson, R. W. Dyer, S. Seddon, E. F. Roche, T. Bradley and M. Harrison. Seconded by Mr McCallum and carried.

Mr Forrest said that previous pr 'grammes included a large amount of .stuck which nobody wants. It was. almost useless to offer money to induce people to tike stock which they do not want, .and the pr igramme could bo improved by leaving them out. Me only threw this out as a hint to the committee.

A vote of thanks ti the chair closed the meeting;. A meeting of those members of the esneivil committee who were present was then held at which Mr John Fisher was elected chairman and convener of meetings, and Mr M. lintler was appointed secretary. The numher of the quorum was li.vid at .seven and tho fir-it meeting was arnnged for the 15th immediately iiffr?r Mr MeXieol's sale.