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1891 22nd Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association
Description
Title1891 22nd Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association
DescriptionAt the well-attended committee meeting following the show, it was decided to pay the prizes on the same basis as 1889. [1890-11-20 p4 LT]
The year concluded with a very serious fire at the grounds on Boxing Day during a strong nor’west wind.
This was put out by the Leeston Fire Brigade and 200 volunteers.
Unfortunately considerable damage was done to the beautiful plantations around the grounds as well as surrounding properties.
Fire started with a lighted match being dropped in the dry grass, fortunately a few chains to the lee of the buildings etc. [1890-12-29 p3 CHP]
About 30 members who attended the 1891 AGM heard that expenditure was slightly in excess of receipts.
It was agreed that better management of the grounds was needed and a regular caretaker and fixed charges for use of the ground was suggested.
The Ground committee was charged with discussing this and reporting to the next meeting.
A sub-committee reported that £34 had been collected to erect a monument to W.J.G. Bluett and a suitable headstone had been erected at Southbridge.
It was decided that the 1891 show should be held on Tuesday 27th October.
A motion that Ellesmere A&P Association record its protest against the proposed change in the incidence of taxation was carried, as this would be heavy on farmers and landowners.
The question of taxing stallions was discussed but no action was taken.
A general committee of 36 members was appointed. [1891-07-16 p3 CHP, 1891-07-16 p4 LT]
A person signing him/herself “A Leeston Farmer” wrote a letter to editor urging the Ellesmere A&P to hold a trial of digging ploughs. [1891-08-19 p3 LT]
There was a fair (or large) attendance at the September Committee meeting where a subcommittee, appointed to consider the circular from the Ministry of Agriculture, recommended encouraging the dairy, fruit, and fish canning industries.
It also recommended the appointment of a specialist to explain dairying to the settlers, the need to send an expert to California to report on the fruit industry and that New Zealand exhibit at each show of the Royal British Agricultural Society.
The special prizes were listed, and class stewards elected. [1891-09-05 p3 EG, 1891-09-05 p3 LT]
The suggestion of instituting a high jumping competition was agreed at the October Committee meeting.
After almost 20 years, it was decided to appoint a committee to draw up rules for a Farmers’ Club and make arrangements for meetings.
As for services it was decided to engage the Burnham band for show day.
After a large discussion on whether to stop publicans booths, except beer, with meals, the motion was lost.
Sale of privileges was to be carried out by tender rather than auction.
A horse shoeing competition was arranged for competitors within the Ellesmere road district including Southbridge. [1891-10-10 p2 EG, 1891-10-12 p3 LT]
Newspaper items followed [1891-10-12 p8 CHP, 1891-10-12 p8 LT, 1891-10-17 p4 LT, 1891-10-21 p4 LT, 1891-10-22 p8 CHP]
22nd Show 1891
Again in 1891 the weather was beautiful for the 22nd show and the large crowd, about 1500, included many Christchurch and local business people.
Ellesmere farmers were present in much larger numbers than any previous year along with the ladies and children all in their best and many older settlers.
Shortly before the arrival of the Christchurch train, the judging had begun.
The Burnham brass band played during the whole of the day.
Mr James Blackler, Irwell Hotel, supplied alcohol and Mr Edwards of Sydenham ran the luncheon booth with moderate prices.
Mr Columbus also had a stall for juvenile refreshments and there were the usual shooting gallery and galvanic battery and others.
Thanks to the mild spring and abundant food supply stock were on the whole looking well.
While in the cattle section there was a very nice lot of bulls exhibited, there were no fat stock entries.
Taken together, the entries of horses in all the classes were of excellent quality.
The draught horses looked the pink of perfection all round.
A large number of sheep were shown. The principal breeds were Border Leicesters, Lincolns, Romney Marsh and Shropshire Downs..
The cattle were largely short horn with Messrs W. Watson and H. Hight being the chief exhibitors.
The sheep although not numerous were well up to the usual standard of the district and most of the sheep prizes fell into a few well known breeders in the district.
Berkshires were the only breed of pigs exhibited and on the whole of excellent quality.
Produce was not a strong class but quality was good.
The bacon was equal if not better than English bacon and it was worthy to note that a farmer, Mr Hight, beat the two factories in unsmoked bacon.
The butter was very good.
The home-made wine was excellent, and would have compared very favourably with Australian wines.
The cheese was of prime quality.
There was only a small show of grain and grass seeds.
The implements were well represented most of the well-known makers of reapers and binders having exhibits on the grounds. [1891-10-28 p2 EG, 1891-10-28 p6 CHP, 1891-10-28 p6 LT]
The committee elected at the AGM was as follows Patron, Sir John Hall ; President, Captain Willis ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs G.C. Waby and J. Barnett ; Treasurer, Mr P.J. Henley ; Auditors, Messrs T.W. Durant and W.G. Lunn ; Secretary, Mr G. Rennie ; General Committee. Messrs W. Bishop, John Boag, D. Buddo, D. Cant, Job Osborne, W. Holley, Fred Overton, Frank Jackson, Milson Jones, L. Mathias, David McMillan, John Rennie, John McKellar, C. Withell, P. O'Boyle, Dr. Gosset, W.D. Lawrence, J. Lambie, J. Stackhouse, H. Gardiner, W. Woodman, C. Frankish, W.R. Maddison, W. Moorhead, H. Phillips, W. Watson, G. Stephens, P. Graham, H. Hight, R. Lochhead, D. Marshall, P.J. Henley, J.M. Furze.
[1891-07-16 p3 CHP]
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date1890-1891SourcePapers PastLocationLeeston
DescriptionAt the well-attended committee meeting following the show, it was decided to pay the prizes on the same basis as 1889. [1890-11-20 p4 LT] The year concluded with a very serious fire at the grounds on Boxing Day during a strong nor’west wind.
This was put out by the Leeston Fire Brigade and 200 volunteers.
Unfortunately considerable damage was done to the beautiful plantations around the grounds as well as surrounding properties.
Fire started with a lighted match being dropped in the dry grass, fortunately a few chains to the lee of the buildings etc. [1890-12-29 p3 CHP]
About 30 members who attended the 1891 AGM heard that expenditure was slightly in excess of receipts.
It was agreed that better management of the grounds was needed and a regular caretaker and fixed charges for use of the ground was suggested.
The Ground committee was charged with discussing this and reporting to the next meeting.
A sub-committee reported that £34 had been collected to erect a monument to W.J.G. Bluett and a suitable headstone had been erected at Southbridge.
It was decided that the 1891 show should be held on Tuesday 27th October.
A motion that Ellesmere A&P Association record its protest against the proposed change in the incidence of taxation was carried, as this would be heavy on farmers and landowners.
The question of taxing stallions was discussed but no action was taken.
A general committee of 36 members was appointed. [1891-07-16 p3 CHP, 1891-07-16 p4 LT]
A person signing him/herself “A Leeston Farmer” wrote a letter to editor urging the Ellesmere A&P to hold a trial of digging ploughs. [1891-08-19 p3 LT]
There was a fair (or large) attendance at the September Committee meeting where a subcommittee, appointed to consider the circular from the Ministry of Agriculture, recommended encouraging the dairy, fruit, and fish canning industries.
It also recommended the appointment of a specialist to explain dairying to the settlers, the need to send an expert to California to report on the fruit industry and that New Zealand exhibit at each show of the Royal British Agricultural Society.
The special prizes were listed, and class stewards elected. [1891-09-05 p3 EG, 1891-09-05 p3 LT]
The suggestion of instituting a high jumping competition was agreed at the October Committee meeting.
After almost 20 years, it was decided to appoint a committee to draw up rules for a Farmers’ Club and make arrangements for meetings.
As for services it was decided to engage the Burnham band for show day.
After a large discussion on whether to stop publicans booths, except beer, with meals, the motion was lost.
Sale of privileges was to be carried out by tender rather than auction.
A horse shoeing competition was arranged for competitors within the Ellesmere road district including Southbridge. [1891-10-10 p2 EG, 1891-10-12 p3 LT]
Newspaper items followed [1891-10-12 p8 CHP, 1891-10-12 p8 LT, 1891-10-17 p4 LT, 1891-10-21 p4 LT, 1891-10-22 p8 CHP]
22nd Show 1891
Again in 1891 the weather was beautiful for the 22nd show and the large crowd, about 1500, included many Christchurch and local business people.
Ellesmere farmers were present in much larger numbers than any previous year along with the ladies and children all in their best and many older settlers.
Shortly before the arrival of the Christchurch train, the judging had begun.
The Burnham brass band played during the whole of the day.
Mr James Blackler, Irwell Hotel, supplied alcohol and Mr Edwards of Sydenham ran the luncheon booth with moderate prices.
Mr Columbus also had a stall for juvenile refreshments and there were the usual shooting gallery and galvanic battery and others.
Thanks to the mild spring and abundant food supply stock were on the whole looking well.
While in the cattle section there was a very nice lot of bulls exhibited, there were no fat stock entries.
Taken together, the entries of horses in all the classes were of excellent quality.
The draught horses looked the pink of perfection all round.
A large number of sheep were shown. The principal breeds were Border Leicesters, Lincolns, Romney Marsh and Shropshire Downs..
The cattle were largely short horn with Messrs W. Watson and H. Hight being the chief exhibitors.
The sheep although not numerous were well up to the usual standard of the district and most of the sheep prizes fell into a few well known breeders in the district.
Berkshires were the only breed of pigs exhibited and on the whole of excellent quality.
Produce was not a strong class but quality was good.
The bacon was equal if not better than English bacon and it was worthy to note that a farmer, Mr Hight, beat the two factories in unsmoked bacon.
The butter was very good.
The home-made wine was excellent, and would have compared very favourably with Australian wines.
The cheese was of prime quality.
There was only a small show of grain and grass seeds.
The implements were well represented most of the well-known makers of reapers and binders having exhibits on the grounds. [1891-10-28 p2 EG, 1891-10-28 p6 CHP, 1891-10-28 p6 LT]
The committee elected at the AGM was as follows Patron, Sir John Hall ; President, Captain Willis ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs G.C. Waby and J. Barnett ; Treasurer, Mr P.J. Henley ; Auditors, Messrs T.W. Durant and W.G. Lunn ; Secretary, Mr G. Rennie ; General Committee. Messrs W. Bishop, John Boag, D. Buddo, D. Cant, Job Osborne, W. Holley, Fred Overton, Frank Jackson, Milson Jones, L. Mathias, David McMillan, John Rennie, John McKellar, C. Withell, P. O'Boyle, Dr. Gosset, W.D. Lawrence, J. Lambie, J. Stackhouse, H. Gardiner, W. Woodman, C. Frankish, W.R. Maddison, W. Moorhead, H. Phillips, W. Watson, G. Stephens, P. Graham, H. Hight, R. Lochhead, D. Marshall, P.J. Henley, J.M. Furze.
[1891-07-16 p3 CHP]
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date1890-1891SourcePapers PastLocationLeestonRight- Geo Rennie (Secretary)
1891
Connections
CollectionEarly History of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral AssociationOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyAttribution
Researched ByMike NooananWritten ByMike Noonan
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1891 22nd Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association (1890-1891). Selwyn Stories, accessed 30/04/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5695
