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1880 11th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association
Description
Title1880 11th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association
DescriptionThe Ellesmere A&P committee discussed the money available for prizes at a meeting held on the 28th November, 1879. [1879-11-26 p1 CHP, 1879-12-02 p2 GLOBE]
No fewer than 30 members were present at the AGM on Thursday 1st July 1880.
The financial situation was satisfactory.
Thursday 4th of November was the date chosen for the show.
Correspondence was read, showing that the Association, having no legal status and no succession, and could not hold real estate. This suggested that the Association be incorporated under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies’ Act, 1877.
A motion to that effect was passed.
Also a draft of petition and directions, supplied by the secretary of the Canterbury Association in favour of the incorporation was received and the chairman requested all present to sign the petition at once as a 66% majority was required.
Mr Bishop hoped an office would be built on the show grounds for the use of the secretary with as little delay as possible. [1880-06-24 p1 CHP, 1880-07-03 p3 CHP, 1880-07-03 p6 LT]
A special meeting was held on 15th of July to revise the programme and several important changes were made.
It was decided to hold a horse parade but to leave any involvement in a horticultural show to others. [1880-07-14 p1 LT, 1880-07-17 p4 GLOBE, 1880-07-17 p4 LT]
The first horse parade ever held in the Ellesmere district took place at Leeston on Tuesday, September 21st 1880.
17 of the 18 horses registered turned up.
More than 150 people attended and all expressed the highest praises for the style and condition of the horses.
The draught stock in particular represented some of the very best animals in Canterbury.
[1880-08-28 p1 CHP, 1880-09-22 p3 CHP, 1880-09-27 p2 CHP]
Marshals and class stewards were appointed, cups for special prizes chosen and displayed, special trains negotiated, band arranged and a marquee ordered at a general meeting of the committee.
Also it was announced that the petition re incorporation of the society under the A. and P. Societies Act had been forwarded and the title to the show ground completed. [1880-09-23 p3 CHP, 1880-10-01 p2 CHP]
At the close of the general entries on Saturday evening, the 28th October, a special meeting was held to make final arrangements for the show.
W. Spring forwarded the successful tender for the booth.
It was unanimously agreed that no games of chance be allowed on the ground and a paddock was to be arranged for the dog trials. [1880-10-11 p8 LT, 1880-10-18 p1 CHP, 1880-10-26 p2 GLOBE].
The local banks declared a bank holiday on the day of the show. [1880-11-01 p1 LT]
11th Show 1880
The weather was beautiful and there was a large attendance from Christchurch and various parts of the district and gate takings were approximately £72 at the 1880 show.
With lincoln no longer having a Show, the scope for Leeston is greater.
An excellent luncheon was provided at Spring’s Leeston hotel, “except that the judges had to go to the township for lunch”. This caused the judges a great waste of time. The exhibitors were unable to leave their exhibits to go into the township.
The Southbridge brass band played excellently throughout the day.
The show as a whole was a success although there were classes in which a falling off was perceptible.
This was partly due to the absence of Mr Bluett’s cattle.
The sheep were of fairly good quality although not numerous.
Sheep dogs were trialled for the first time in Canterbury at Leeston.
Again the reporters insisted that showing poultry in November should be discontinued.
The implement classes were remarkable for one thing namely the almost total absence of the locally manufactured ploughs which used to show so great a feature at the Ellesmere show.
The number of implements shown in 1880 (60) was almost double the 1879 total. The great features of this year’s show were the harrows, the grain carts and spring carts by local manufacturers. Job Osborne showed off his 8 ton Fowler traction engine.
The show of horses in all departments was First Class.
There was keen competition and butter but bacon was disappointing for a district like Leeston.
The Leicester sheep were especially few in number which is to be wondered at in the half bred classes, the superiority of the Leicester cross was very manifest.
There were 58 cattle entered and they occupied nearly all of the space allotted to them. The judging yards are the best in any of the country shows.
The feature of the whole show was the draught horses.
Pigs were mediocre both in numbers (12 which was double that of 1879) and quality. The Lyttelton Times reporter was more impresses with the quality of the pigs.
The grain was a success but first prize went to grain grown in South Australia and opinion that competition should be limited to New Zealand grown grain.
Some remarkably good oats was exhibited, and the barley was also "very fair".
There were 3 exhibits of wool, the quality of which was good.
Evidence of prosperity is beginning to be seen about the grounds.
Approximately 600 trees have been planted and these will form a fine belt in a few seasons.
The catalogue contained many errors and more care is required in connection with the regulations for the arrival of exhibits and as a result judging was not got through until late in the day.
For the younger visitors, the scene resembled a country fair in the afternoon.
Patron, the Hon John Hall President, W.D. Lawrence; Vice-Presidents, John Boag, W. Bishop, J. Mawson, and R.B. Willis; hon Treasurer, D. Marshall; Secretary, L. V. Desborough; Committee of Management W.J.G. Bluett, J. Barnett, J. Cunningham, J.R. Campbell, C.T. Dudley, R. Docker, E. Earl, S. Forsyth, F. Jameson, W. Graham, W. Gabbie, H. J. Hall, J. Hicks, H.P. Hill, B.T. Jeffery, S. Lemon, W.G. Lunn, C. Lewis, R. Lochkhead, W. Maddison, W. Moorhead, G. McClure, R. Mcllrailh, J. McKellar, A. McLachlan, P. O’Bovle, A. Webster, F. Overton, H. Overton, J. Osborne, J. Rennie, D. Scott, G. Sandrv, G. Stevens, J. Smithson, A. Storry, D. Tod, C. Withell, R. Withell, and R. Warrington.
[1880-11-03 p2 CHP, 1880-11-03 p3 GLOBE, 1880-11-03 p6 LT]
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical SocietyDate1879-1880SourcePapers PastLocationLeeston
DescriptionThe Ellesmere A&P committee discussed the money available for prizes at a meeting held on the 28th November, 1879. [1879-11-26 p1 CHP, 1879-12-02 p2 GLOBE] No fewer than 30 members were present at the AGM on Thursday 1st July 1880.
The financial situation was satisfactory.
Thursday 4th of November was the date chosen for the show.
Correspondence was read, showing that the Association, having no legal status and no succession, and could not hold real estate. This suggested that the Association be incorporated under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies’ Act, 1877.
A motion to that effect was passed.
Also a draft of petition and directions, supplied by the secretary of the Canterbury Association in favour of the incorporation was received and the chairman requested all present to sign the petition at once as a 66% majority was required.
Mr Bishop hoped an office would be built on the show grounds for the use of the secretary with as little delay as possible. [1880-06-24 p1 CHP, 1880-07-03 p3 CHP, 1880-07-03 p6 LT]
A special meeting was held on 15th of July to revise the programme and several important changes were made.
It was decided to hold a horse parade but to leave any involvement in a horticultural show to others. [1880-07-14 p1 LT, 1880-07-17 p4 GLOBE, 1880-07-17 p4 LT]
The first horse parade ever held in the Ellesmere district took place at Leeston on Tuesday, September 21st 1880.
17 of the 18 horses registered turned up.
More than 150 people attended and all expressed the highest praises for the style and condition of the horses.
The draught stock in particular represented some of the very best animals in Canterbury.
[1880-08-28 p1 CHP, 1880-09-22 p3 CHP, 1880-09-27 p2 CHP]
Marshals and class stewards were appointed, cups for special prizes chosen and displayed, special trains negotiated, band arranged and a marquee ordered at a general meeting of the committee.
Also it was announced that the petition re incorporation of the society under the A. and P. Societies Act had been forwarded and the title to the show ground completed. [1880-09-23 p3 CHP, 1880-10-01 p2 CHP]
At the close of the general entries on Saturday evening, the 28th October, a special meeting was held to make final arrangements for the show.
W. Spring forwarded the successful tender for the booth.
It was unanimously agreed that no games of chance be allowed on the ground and a paddock was to be arranged for the dog trials. [1880-10-11 p8 LT, 1880-10-18 p1 CHP, 1880-10-26 p2 GLOBE].
The local banks declared a bank holiday on the day of the show. [1880-11-01 p1 LT]
11th Show 1880
The weather was beautiful and there was a large attendance from Christchurch and various parts of the district and gate takings were approximately £72 at the 1880 show.
With lincoln no longer having a Show, the scope for Leeston is greater.
An excellent luncheon was provided at Spring’s Leeston hotel, “except that the judges had to go to the township for lunch”. This caused the judges a great waste of time. The exhibitors were unable to leave their exhibits to go into the township.
The Southbridge brass band played excellently throughout the day.
The show as a whole was a success although there were classes in which a falling off was perceptible.
This was partly due to the absence of Mr Bluett’s cattle.
The sheep were of fairly good quality although not numerous.
Sheep dogs were trialled for the first time in Canterbury at Leeston.
Again the reporters insisted that showing poultry in November should be discontinued.
The implement classes were remarkable for one thing namely the almost total absence of the locally manufactured ploughs which used to show so great a feature at the Ellesmere show.
The number of implements shown in 1880 (60) was almost double the 1879 total. The great features of this year’s show were the harrows, the grain carts and spring carts by local manufacturers. Job Osborne showed off his 8 ton Fowler traction engine.
The show of horses in all departments was First Class.
There was keen competition and butter but bacon was disappointing for a district like Leeston.
The Leicester sheep were especially few in number which is to be wondered at in the half bred classes, the superiority of the Leicester cross was very manifest.
There were 58 cattle entered and they occupied nearly all of the space allotted to them. The judging yards are the best in any of the country shows.
The feature of the whole show was the draught horses.
Pigs were mediocre both in numbers (12 which was double that of 1879) and quality. The Lyttelton Times reporter was more impresses with the quality of the pigs.
The grain was a success but first prize went to grain grown in South Australia and opinion that competition should be limited to New Zealand grown grain.
Some remarkably good oats was exhibited, and the barley was also "very fair".
There were 3 exhibits of wool, the quality of which was good.
Evidence of prosperity is beginning to be seen about the grounds.
Approximately 600 trees have been planted and these will form a fine belt in a few seasons.
The catalogue contained many errors and more care is required in connection with the regulations for the arrival of exhibits and as a result judging was not got through until late in the day.
For the younger visitors, the scene resembled a country fair in the afternoon.
Patron, the Hon John Hall President, W.D. Lawrence; Vice-Presidents, John Boag, W. Bishop, J. Mawson, and R.B. Willis; hon Treasurer, D. Marshall; Secretary, L. V. Desborough; Committee of Management W.J.G. Bluett, J. Barnett, J. Cunningham, J.R. Campbell, C.T. Dudley, R. Docker, E. Earl, S. Forsyth, F. Jameson, W. Graham, W. Gabbie, H. J. Hall, J. Hicks, H.P. Hill, B.T. Jeffery, S. Lemon, W.G. Lunn, C. Lewis, R. Lochkhead, W. Maddison, W. Moorhead, G. McClure, R. Mcllrailh, J. McKellar, A. McLachlan, P. O’Bovle, A. Webster, F. Overton, H. Overton, J. Osborne, J. Rennie, D. Scott, G. Sandrv, G. Stevens, J. Smithson, A. Storry, D. Tod, C. Withell, R. Withell, and R. Warrington.
[1880-11-03 p2 CHP, 1880-11-03 p3 GLOBE, 1880-11-03 p6 LT]
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date1879-1880SourcePapers PastLocationLeestonConnections
CollectionEarly History of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral AssociationOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyAttribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
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1880 11th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association (1879-1880). Selwyn Stories, accessed 30/04/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5706
