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1881 12th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association
Description
Title1881 12th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association
DescriptionThe final general committee meeting for 1880 settled protests from the show. [1880-12-13 p3 TS]
The 9th annual report was presented at the 1881 AGM. Eight committee meetings had been held throughout the year with an average attendance of 18 members.
It had been suggested that monthly meeting should be held during the winter for the reading of papers on subjects of interest to all connected with farming.
By an order in the government Gazette of October 21st, incorporation under the 1877 Act was completed, however the title to the Showgrounds had not yet been received but it was stated that there was little reason to fear that it would not be.
As had been expressed for several years there was a desire to build an office on the show grounds before the next show.
The plantation and fences have been repaired from the damage they received from the stock of previous tenants and until a tenant could guarantee protecting the trees, it was felt that the ground should be left without a tenant.
The first horse parade was immensely successful.
Now that a horticultural society had been formed, a spring flower show held on show day would add considerably to the attraction of the next show.
The Shows of Canterbury seemed to have had great difficulty of avoiding clashes over the years and 1881 was no exception. The original date of the show clashed with the day chosen by the Northern Association and a resolution was passed fixing the first Tuesday in November for holding every annual show in the future.
The special prize list was as usual well supported with more than £90 being offered.
The prize for the greatest prize taker in the greatest variety of classes, of the 1880 Show, was won by Mr Hall with 40 points. [1881-05-21 p6 LT]
The AGM was adjourned and continued later.
A motion was passed that plans and an estimate of the cost of a building for showing the dairy produce and use of the secretary be reported to the next meeting.
It was agreed unanimously that the members meet monthly in the reading room of the Leeston library as a Farmers’ club and Mr Dudley promised to read a paper on “Rust”. [1881-06-15 3p TS 1881-06-16 p3 LT]
At a general meeting of the committee, the plans of a building to house the secretary and the produce display were inspected and it was resolved borrow up to £150 and to build a shed 50 by 25 feet.
Extra classes for stock were added to the programme and the sparrow problem was considered at length. [1881-07-14 p5 LT]
The August general meeting ratified the new rules from the last meeting and received notice of the offer of a £150 loan at 6%.
The meeting heard that the Leeston Cricket Club would like to lease part of the grounds for £5 per annum and thus avoid stock damaging the trees.
Further changes were made to the classes for the show and it was decided to continue with the horse show. [1881-08-06 p1 LT, 1881-08-11 p3 CHP, 1881-08-11 p6 LT]
The Cricket Club had to keep 2½ chains from any A&P structure and it was agreed to put out tenders for the new building.
The fixed show date, of first Tuesday in November, clashed with the Ashburton Show and a letter was written pointing out the inconvenience of holding the two shows on the same day. [1881-08-29 p1 LT, 1881-09-01 p3 TS, 1881-09-15 p1 LT]
The second horse parade was held in the show grounds and 7 draught horses, 5 blood horses and 5 carriage horses were entered.
The draught horses were exceedingly good, and would do credit to any agricultural district.
The weather was remarkably fine for the horse parade, and the attendance of visitors very good. [1881-09-15 p1 LT, 1881-09-22 p3 LT]
Four tenders were received for the building of the first shed and W. Pentelow’s bid was accepted.
The secretary was authorised to make arrangements for the usual mid-day train, to engage the band, and gatekeepers.
The special prizes were then allocated.
It was decided that a larger space was needed for showing horses. [1881-09-22 p6 LT]
The usual adverts for the show appeared in the newspapers. [1881-09-15 p1 LT, 1881-10-10 p8 LT]
A change from choosing silver cups and other objects of purely ornamental nature was made and the 1881 selection committee preferred those which, while handsome and valuable enough to form desirable prizes, were useful. [1881-10-11 p3 TS, 1881-10-12 p4 LT]
The first permanent building was completed to the satisfaction of the Association and a deputation was to visit the railways before the advertisement concerning train services was published. [1881-10-17 p5 LT, 1881-11-01 p7 LT]
12th Show 1881
The weather was magnificent, except for a persistent nor’wester, and attendance exceeded that in 1880.
Generally speaking there was an appreciable advance in entries and a marked improvement in quality in some classes, particularly the sheep.
Cattle numbers reached 89 as compared with 58 in 1880. Some of the cattle were not up to standard however.
The draught horses, although less numerous than 1880, again showed up extremely well. Again in 1881, much to the annoyance of visitors wishing to see the horses, the keepers moved them around the grounds.
There were few pigs but there were some very good ones exhibited.
The sheep increased in quality although the Leiester breed there seemed to be some apathy in showing off a breed which was so useful to the region.
A good show of locally produced implements was secured, and the workmanship being "decidedly creditable" when the locals are competing with large well equipped factories. This year there were two traction engines moving about much to the delight of the crowd.
The poultry classes were fairly well filled and the game varieties appeared to be the most popular in the district.
Only two dogs were entered.
The display of dairy produce was first-class, and galvanised netting and been placed to protect the exhibits from the fingers of the visitors.
The produce shed and secretary’s office was used for the first time.
The grain shown proved what a grand corn growing district that Ellesmere is.
There were numerous attractions for visitors including a uni-cycle circus with an organ. The same attractions appeared to turn up annually.
The Southbridge brass band played vigourously.
The private prizes again made a special display but now in the new produce and secretary's shed.
Patron—The Hon John Hall. President— Mr John Boag. Vice-President—Mr J. Mawson. Treasurer—Mr D. Marshall, Hon Secretary Mr L.V. Desborough. Committee of Management Messrs W. Bishop. J. Cunningham, C. T. Dudley, W. Graham, W. Gabbie, F. Jameson, S. Lemon, W. D. Laurence, W. G. Lund, C. Lewis, R. Lochhead, W. Maddison, J. McKellar, A. McLachlan, F. Overton, J. Osborne, J. Renmie, D. Scott, G. Stevens, C. Withell, R, Withell, S. Withell, W. Watson, R.B. Willis
[1881-11-02 p6 LT, 1881-11-02 p2 CHP, 1881-11-02 p3 GLOBE]
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date1880-1881SourcePapers PastLocationLeeston
DescriptionThe final general committee meeting for 1880 settled protests from the show. [1880-12-13 p3 TS] The 9th annual report was presented at the 1881 AGM. Eight committee meetings had been held throughout the year with an average attendance of 18 members.
It had been suggested that monthly meeting should be held during the winter for the reading of papers on subjects of interest to all connected with farming.
By an order in the government Gazette of October 21st, incorporation under the 1877 Act was completed, however the title to the Showgrounds had not yet been received but it was stated that there was little reason to fear that it would not be.
As had been expressed for several years there was a desire to build an office on the show grounds before the next show.
The plantation and fences have been repaired from the damage they received from the stock of previous tenants and until a tenant could guarantee protecting the trees, it was felt that the ground should be left without a tenant.
The first horse parade was immensely successful.
Now that a horticultural society had been formed, a spring flower show held on show day would add considerably to the attraction of the next show.
The Shows of Canterbury seemed to have had great difficulty of avoiding clashes over the years and 1881 was no exception. The original date of the show clashed with the day chosen by the Northern Association and a resolution was passed fixing the first Tuesday in November for holding every annual show in the future.
The special prize list was as usual well supported with more than £90 being offered.
The prize for the greatest prize taker in the greatest variety of classes, of the 1880 Show, was won by Mr Hall with 40 points. [1881-05-21 p6 LT]
The AGM was adjourned and continued later.
A motion was passed that plans and an estimate of the cost of a building for showing the dairy produce and use of the secretary be reported to the next meeting.
It was agreed unanimously that the members meet monthly in the reading room of the Leeston library as a Farmers’ club and Mr Dudley promised to read a paper on “Rust”. [1881-06-15 3p TS 1881-06-16 p3 LT]
At a general meeting of the committee, the plans of a building to house the secretary and the produce display were inspected and it was resolved borrow up to £150 and to build a shed 50 by 25 feet.
Extra classes for stock were added to the programme and the sparrow problem was considered at length. [1881-07-14 p5 LT]
The August general meeting ratified the new rules from the last meeting and received notice of the offer of a £150 loan at 6%.
The meeting heard that the Leeston Cricket Club would like to lease part of the grounds for £5 per annum and thus avoid stock damaging the trees.
Further changes were made to the classes for the show and it was decided to continue with the horse show. [1881-08-06 p1 LT, 1881-08-11 p3 CHP, 1881-08-11 p6 LT]
The Cricket Club had to keep 2½ chains from any A&P structure and it was agreed to put out tenders for the new building.
The fixed show date, of first Tuesday in November, clashed with the Ashburton Show and a letter was written pointing out the inconvenience of holding the two shows on the same day. [1881-08-29 p1 LT, 1881-09-01 p3 TS, 1881-09-15 p1 LT]
The second horse parade was held in the show grounds and 7 draught horses, 5 blood horses and 5 carriage horses were entered.
The draught horses were exceedingly good, and would do credit to any agricultural district.
The weather was remarkably fine for the horse parade, and the attendance of visitors very good. [1881-09-15 p1 LT, 1881-09-22 p3 LT]
Four tenders were received for the building of the first shed and W. Pentelow’s bid was accepted.
The secretary was authorised to make arrangements for the usual mid-day train, to engage the band, and gatekeepers.
The special prizes were then allocated.
It was decided that a larger space was needed for showing horses. [1881-09-22 p6 LT]
The usual adverts for the show appeared in the newspapers. [1881-09-15 p1 LT, 1881-10-10 p8 LT]
A change from choosing silver cups and other objects of purely ornamental nature was made and the 1881 selection committee preferred those which, while handsome and valuable enough to form desirable prizes, were useful. [1881-10-11 p3 TS, 1881-10-12 p4 LT]
The first permanent building was completed to the satisfaction of the Association and a deputation was to visit the railways before the advertisement concerning train services was published. [1881-10-17 p5 LT, 1881-11-01 p7 LT]
12th Show 1881
The weather was magnificent, except for a persistent nor’wester, and attendance exceeded that in 1880.
Generally speaking there was an appreciable advance in entries and a marked improvement in quality in some classes, particularly the sheep.
Cattle numbers reached 89 as compared with 58 in 1880. Some of the cattle were not up to standard however.
The draught horses, although less numerous than 1880, again showed up extremely well. Again in 1881, much to the annoyance of visitors wishing to see the horses, the keepers moved them around the grounds.
There were few pigs but there were some very good ones exhibited.
The sheep increased in quality although the Leiester breed there seemed to be some apathy in showing off a breed which was so useful to the region.
A good show of locally produced implements was secured, and the workmanship being "decidedly creditable" when the locals are competing with large well equipped factories. This year there were two traction engines moving about much to the delight of the crowd.
The poultry classes were fairly well filled and the game varieties appeared to be the most popular in the district.
Only two dogs were entered.
The display of dairy produce was first-class, and galvanised netting and been placed to protect the exhibits from the fingers of the visitors.
The produce shed and secretary’s office was used for the first time.
The grain shown proved what a grand corn growing district that Ellesmere is.
There were numerous attractions for visitors including a uni-cycle circus with an organ. The same attractions appeared to turn up annually.
The Southbridge brass band played vigourously.
The private prizes again made a special display but now in the new produce and secretary's shed.
Patron—The Hon John Hall. President— Mr John Boag. Vice-President—Mr J. Mawson. Treasurer—Mr D. Marshall, Hon Secretary Mr L.V. Desborough. Committee of Management Messrs W. Bishop. J. Cunningham, C. T. Dudley, W. Graham, W. Gabbie, F. Jameson, S. Lemon, W. D. Laurence, W. G. Lund, C. Lewis, R. Lochhead, W. Maddison, J. McKellar, A. McLachlan, F. Overton, J. Osborne, J. Renmie, D. Scott, G. Stevens, C. Withell, R, Withell, S. Withell, W. Watson, R.B. Willis
[1881-11-02 p6 LT, 1881-11-02 p2 CHP, 1881-11-02 p3 GLOBE]
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date1880-1881SourcePapers PastLocationLeestonConnections
CollectionEarly History of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral AssociationOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyAttribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
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1881 12th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association (1880-1881). Selwyn Stories, accessed 30/04/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5705
