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1878 9th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association
Description
Title1878 9th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association
DescriptionThe proximity of the Leeston and Lincoln Townships caused the Lyttleton Times to comment “There cannot be a question as to the wisdom of the coarse which has been more than once proposed, namely, to unite the Ellesmere and Lincoln shows.
Such gatherings would then result as would give a far greater and healthier stimulus to the raising of stock of a superior description.
The divided interests, always weakening, would be done away with and as the annual gathering could be made a peripatetic one, there need be no cause for local jealousies”. [1877-10-31 p1 supplement LT]
The final committee meeting for the year was held on November 30th where protests from the judging at the Annual Show, awards, and financial position were considered. [1877-11-27 p1 CHP]
A lengthy discussion about who could enter for special prizes was left to the AGM for a decision and lack of the £50 grant from the late Provincial Government and necessary improvements to the grounds and yards had left the committee with no option but reduce the prizes to be awarded. [1877-12-03 p2 CHP]
Tenders were again sought for a 3 year grazing contract [1878-02-12 p4 CHP] and the AGM was advertised 3 days later for the 1st March, following the usual committee meeting a week prior. [1878-02-15 p1 CHP]
The report and financial statement for the AGM were approved and the grounds were leased on the condition that only sheep would be grazed on the land. [1878-02-25 p2 CHP]
A satisfactory financial position was reported at the 6th AGM.
Six committee meetings had been held during the year.
The clash with the Ashburton race meeting was admitted but even with that and the unfavourable weather, £65 4s was taken at the gate compared with £55 5s during 1876.
Many people from Christchurch had attended the Show and may have been even more if the railways had paid attention.
There was no government grant and few applications for member’s tickets so the prize money had to be reduced by 28%, however there was a desirable special price list of no less than £120.
It was reported that improvements to the yards had cost £40.
In contrast to previous practice, the committee suggested that entries in the general list should be entitled to the special prizes without extra payment. However it would be necessary to raise the entrance fee.
The question as to whether the Association should be incorporated under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies’ Act passed recently, was to be put to a special meeting.
This Act, clearly defines the objects of the society and duties of office bearers, confers certain privileges as to tenure of reserves and Crown lands.
A subcommittee of President and Vice President’s was appointed to look at the title deed. [1878-03-04 p3 CHP, 1878-03-05 p2 LT]
The date of the 9th show was set for Thursday October 24th 1878 and the programme was approved at the July general meeting.
It was reported that stock had damaged trees in the grounds and it was decided that the first permanent building would be constructed, an office for the secretary. [1878-07-13 p5 LT]
The allocation of special prizes, appointment of judges and class stewards was carried out at a meeting in early September.
Mr Sandrey, who held the grazing rights, was to be interviewed about damage to the trees. [1878-08-23 p1 CHP 1878-09-06 p3 CHP]
The Selwyn County Council had decided to give a grant of half that which the Provincial Council had provided in the past. [1878-08-31 p5 LT]
The special prizes, such as a fruit stand, three cups, a cake basket, two breakfast cruets, etc were displayed in the windows of the jewellers' shops from which they were purchased. [1878-09-18 p2 LT, 1878-10-11 p2 TS]
Advertisements for the right to run the publican’s booth, the arrangements for special trains and show entries were published. [1878-10-03 p3 CHP, 1878-10-09 p1 LT, 1878-10-18 p2 LT]
Together with the usual pre-show business at a general committee meeting, a discussion took place with regard to the title of the grounds and it was decided that the Secretary should write to the Chairman of the County Council, applying for a direct conveyance to the Association of land granted to them by the Provincial Council. [1878-10-19 p3 LT]
Auctions of stock at the show were still being advertised. W.J.G. Bluett and Co announced that they were going to auction some short horn bulls at 3pm at the show. [1878-10-23 p6 CHP supplement] and James Campbell, from Acland, Campbell & Co, also implied that he was going to hold an auction if people contacted the Show Secretary, L.V. Desborough. [23-10-1878 p4 CHP]
9th show 1878
The 10:30 am special train from Christchurch arrived at the first show in Canterbury, for the season, with a large number of visitors.
Sheep numbers were similar to last year but cattle, horses and pigs and dairy produce exhibits were fewer, implements increased by 23 and poultry by seven.
The oft-mooted question of merging the Lincoln and Ellesmere show’s into one, purchasing a central show ground or alternating the meetings was again discussed, and the common opinion seemed to be that an amalgamation would be of mutual benefit to both districts.
Towards 1 o’clock people began to stream in with at least 1600 people on the grounds.
Lotteries for knickknack prizes were busily employed and there was a large muster of the "under-and-over fraternity".
The ubiquitous unicycle with the asthmatic organ accompaniment did a roaring trade.
A number of refreshment tents were present selling tea, lemonade and confectionery. Mr T. Poole, who had the licensed booth, also served a "very fair" luncheon which unfortunately people had to wait for.
The Southbridge brass band was a most pleasant feature of the show.
In the sheep section the Lincolns and Leicesters would have been a credit to any district again with the names of E.J. Lee and H.J. Hall being mentioned.
Again the draught horses were the best group of horses.
It was postulated that the severe winter and late improved weather had limited the number of cattle shown and some that were shown should not have been.
In 1878, the pigs were described as a superior lot even though they were fewer than in 1877, and the implements were an improvement on the 1877 Show display. The two American reaper and binding machines, one using string and the other using wire, were the highlight of the show. The string binder was a new invention.
The show of poultry was very good although the Press was of the the opinion that poultry should not be exhibited. The 8 sheep dogs entered for the first time at Leeston were judged on looks not what they could do herding sheep.
People may have visited the dairy produce tent to get out of the N-W wind but the display was a disappointment except for some items such as the cheeses. The Ellesmere and the Southbridge Companies featured as prize winners in this show and they improved the quality of bacon and ham exhibits.
As had been the experience at previous shows, Sergeant Barlow and some troopers were present but the crowd was peaceful.
Before the crowd dispersed the President W.J.G. Bluett handed out the silver prizes, which had been displayed during the day in a black tarpaulin tent.
Patron— W. Rolleston, Esq., M.H.R.; President, W.J.G. Bluett, Esq.; Vice-Presidents, Messrs W. D. Laurence, R. Lochhead, J. Osborne, and J. Rennie; Hon: Treasurer, Mr D. Marshall; Secretary, Mr L. V. Desborough. [1878-10-25 p3 LT, 1878-10-25 p3 TS, 25-10-1878 p2 CHP, 1878-10-26 p2 LT]
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date1877-1878SourcePapers PastLocationLeeston
DescriptionThe proximity of the Leeston and Lincoln Townships caused the Lyttleton Times to comment “There cannot be a question as to the wisdom of the coarse which has been more than once proposed, namely, to unite the Ellesmere and Lincoln shows. Such gatherings would then result as would give a far greater and healthier stimulus to the raising of stock of a superior description.
The divided interests, always weakening, would be done away with and as the annual gathering could be made a peripatetic one, there need be no cause for local jealousies”. [1877-10-31 p1 supplement LT]
The final committee meeting for the year was held on November 30th where protests from the judging at the Annual Show, awards, and financial position were considered. [1877-11-27 p1 CHP]
A lengthy discussion about who could enter for special prizes was left to the AGM for a decision and lack of the £50 grant from the late Provincial Government and necessary improvements to the grounds and yards had left the committee with no option but reduce the prizes to be awarded. [1877-12-03 p2 CHP]
Tenders were again sought for a 3 year grazing contract [1878-02-12 p4 CHP] and the AGM was advertised 3 days later for the 1st March, following the usual committee meeting a week prior. [1878-02-15 p1 CHP]
The report and financial statement for the AGM were approved and the grounds were leased on the condition that only sheep would be grazed on the land. [1878-02-25 p2 CHP]
A satisfactory financial position was reported at the 6th AGM.
Six committee meetings had been held during the year.
The clash with the Ashburton race meeting was admitted but even with that and the unfavourable weather, £65 4s was taken at the gate compared with £55 5s during 1876.
Many people from Christchurch had attended the Show and may have been even more if the railways had paid attention.
There was no government grant and few applications for member’s tickets so the prize money had to be reduced by 28%, however there was a desirable special price list of no less than £120.
It was reported that improvements to the yards had cost £40.
In contrast to previous practice, the committee suggested that entries in the general list should be entitled to the special prizes without extra payment. However it would be necessary to raise the entrance fee.
The question as to whether the Association should be incorporated under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies’ Act passed recently, was to be put to a special meeting.
This Act, clearly defines the objects of the society and duties of office bearers, confers certain privileges as to tenure of reserves and Crown lands.
A subcommittee of President and Vice President’s was appointed to look at the title deed. [1878-03-04 p3 CHP, 1878-03-05 p2 LT]
The date of the 9th show was set for Thursday October 24th 1878 and the programme was approved at the July general meeting.
It was reported that stock had damaged trees in the grounds and it was decided that the first permanent building would be constructed, an office for the secretary. [1878-07-13 p5 LT]
The allocation of special prizes, appointment of judges and class stewards was carried out at a meeting in early September.
Mr Sandrey, who held the grazing rights, was to be interviewed about damage to the trees. [1878-08-23 p1 CHP 1878-09-06 p3 CHP]
The Selwyn County Council had decided to give a grant of half that which the Provincial Council had provided in the past. [1878-08-31 p5 LT]
The special prizes, such as a fruit stand, three cups, a cake basket, two breakfast cruets, etc were displayed in the windows of the jewellers' shops from which they were purchased. [1878-09-18 p2 LT, 1878-10-11 p2 TS]
Advertisements for the right to run the publican’s booth, the arrangements for special trains and show entries were published. [1878-10-03 p3 CHP, 1878-10-09 p1 LT, 1878-10-18 p2 LT]
Together with the usual pre-show business at a general committee meeting, a discussion took place with regard to the title of the grounds and it was decided that the Secretary should write to the Chairman of the County Council, applying for a direct conveyance to the Association of land granted to them by the Provincial Council. [1878-10-19 p3 LT]
Auctions of stock at the show were still being advertised. W.J.G. Bluett and Co announced that they were going to auction some short horn bulls at 3pm at the show. [1878-10-23 p6 CHP supplement] and James Campbell, from Acland, Campbell & Co, also implied that he was going to hold an auction if people contacted the Show Secretary, L.V. Desborough. [23-10-1878 p4 CHP]
9th show 1878
The 10:30 am special train from Christchurch arrived at the first show in Canterbury, for the season, with a large number of visitors.
Sheep numbers were similar to last year but cattle, horses and pigs and dairy produce exhibits were fewer, implements increased by 23 and poultry by seven.
The oft-mooted question of merging the Lincoln and Ellesmere show’s into one, purchasing a central show ground or alternating the meetings was again discussed, and the common opinion seemed to be that an amalgamation would be of mutual benefit to both districts.
Towards 1 o’clock people began to stream in with at least 1600 people on the grounds.
Lotteries for knickknack prizes were busily employed and there was a large muster of the "under-and-over fraternity".
The ubiquitous unicycle with the asthmatic organ accompaniment did a roaring trade.
A number of refreshment tents were present selling tea, lemonade and confectionery. Mr T. Poole, who had the licensed booth, also served a "very fair" luncheon which unfortunately people had to wait for.
The Southbridge brass band was a most pleasant feature of the show.
In the sheep section the Lincolns and Leicesters would have been a credit to any district again with the names of E.J. Lee and H.J. Hall being mentioned.
Again the draught horses were the best group of horses.
It was postulated that the severe winter and late improved weather had limited the number of cattle shown and some that were shown should not have been.
In 1878, the pigs were described as a superior lot even though they were fewer than in 1877, and the implements were an improvement on the 1877 Show display. The two American reaper and binding machines, one using string and the other using wire, were the highlight of the show. The string binder was a new invention.
The show of poultry was very good although the Press was of the the opinion that poultry should not be exhibited. The 8 sheep dogs entered for the first time at Leeston were judged on looks not what they could do herding sheep.
People may have visited the dairy produce tent to get out of the N-W wind but the display was a disappointment except for some items such as the cheeses. The Ellesmere and the Southbridge Companies featured as prize winners in this show and they improved the quality of bacon and ham exhibits.
As had been the experience at previous shows, Sergeant Barlow and some troopers were present but the crowd was peaceful.
Before the crowd dispersed the President W.J.G. Bluett handed out the silver prizes, which had been displayed during the day in a black tarpaulin tent.
Patron— W. Rolleston, Esq., M.H.R.; President, W.J.G. Bluett, Esq.; Vice-Presidents, Messrs W. D. Laurence, R. Lochhead, J. Osborne, and J. Rennie; Hon: Treasurer, Mr D. Marshall; Secretary, Mr L. V. Desborough. [1878-10-25 p3 LT, 1878-10-25 p3 TS, 25-10-1878 p2 CHP, 1878-10-26 p2 LT]
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date1877-1878SourcePapers PastLocationLeestonConnections
CollectionEarly History of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral AssociationOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyAttribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
Written ByMike NoonanClick on the image to add
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1878 9th Year of the Ellesmere Agricultural & Pastoral Association (1877-1878). Selwyn Stories, accessed 16/12/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5708
