Hastings Diamond Jubilee Show & Carnival 1923

Special Illustrated Number

HASTINGS DIAMOND
JUBILEE SHOW & CARNIVAL

MR. HAROLD ARTHUR RUSSELL, president of the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society. He is the eldest surviving son of the late Sir William Russell, and was born at […]
…his father in the management of the estates and in 1906 was in charge of Sherenden. He now resides at Little Flaxmere, Twyford.

THE HAWKE’S BAY AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION was formed in May, 1863. Mr. D. McLean was the first president and Mr. H. C. Tiffen and Major Whitmore were active workers. The first Show was held in Danver’s paddock, Havelock North, on October 4^th. 1863 when it was estimated that the number present was 400. Messrs S. J. Watt and Ashton St. Hill judged the horses, whilst the cattle were judged by Mr. Robinson (Auckland) and amongst the attendance were Messrs Donald McLean, Joseph Rhodes and H. S. Tiffen. The exhibitors at the Show included Messrs. J. Chambers, Ford and McHardy, Mr. Robinson, W. Couper, a Mr. Lamb (probably of Porangahau), and J. Heslop, who got first prize for his Shorthorn cow. The exhibits totalled 73, consisting of 922 horses, 23 cattle, 18 sheep, 6 pigs, 1 fowl and 3 dogs, besides implements and special exhibits.

Mr. J. H. Coleman was a very strong supporter of the A. and P. Society, and when the Society was in low water, he went round with the hat, and was very successful, the other supporter, Mr. E. J. Watt, heading the list with £100, and again when Mr. Coleman returned from a trip to the Old Country, he made several additions to the programme, such as the jumping […]

…Thomas Tanner (deceased). Donald Mclean, Superintendent of the Province, was the president of the Society, and Mr. J. A. Smith was secretary, assisted by Mr. Danvers.
Amongst the committee holding office at the time were: Messrs John Chambers, William Couper (both of the past generation) William Rich, Spencer Curling, Henry Russell, Allan McLean and John Heslop. At the conclusion of the show, a horse race was held on the road, with 26 starters, the door of the public house being the winning post, and Mr William Heslop, who is still going strong, sailed past the post a winner on Camilla, a horse that was afterwards killed at the Battle of Omaranui in 1866.

The second show was held on March 21st 1866 at Havelock North, under Mr. J.D.Ormond’s presidency, and the third was held in the following year at Meeanee. In the year 1866 the southern districts of Hawke’sBay formed an A. and P. Society and held it’s first show at Waipukurau when 180 people were present. The southern society held two shows in the following year, but does not appear to have continued it’s existance thereafter.
The Hawke’s Bay Society’s efforts were also somewhat spasmodic, but in 1872, a revival took place and shows have been held ever since. In 1872 and 1873 they were quartered at Havelock North in Mr. F. Nelson’s yards and Mr. Reynold’s yards respectively. The president for both years was Mr. Joseph Rhodes with Mr. H.S.Tiffen as treasurer and Mr. W. Routledge as secretary.
GROUNDS ACQUIRED IN HASTINGS

In 1874 […] acquired grounds in Hastings which included the land […] now stands […] there that year […] it took place at Hastings. The stock exhibits comprised […] and 106 sheep, but no […] In November 1878, it was […] ground be purchased to be [home] to the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club and the Cricket Club. […] were estimated to being [£  ]. An area of […] was purchased, 53 acres from Mr. Tanner and 27 adjoining from Messrs Knight Bros., and Chapman. In [1884] all but 20 acres was sold for [£7,500] , the Society to retain the 20 acres for shows. Up to [1900] the shows  just happened along annually, but under the late Mr. Joe [William’s] presidency, which commenced about that time, the show grew in importance and from that time onward, the spring fixture gradually progressed in consequence until it became one of the recognised great A. and P. fixtures in the Dominion.

GROUNDS AT TOMOANA
For several years the officials have found that the holding of the shows […]
…continue to hold the proud place it had attained among the premier shows of the Dominion.
Emulating the progressive spirit of their father, the younger members in the years immediately preceding the war, searched for a suitable area of land and found an ideal spot at Tomoana, owned by Mr. William Nelson, who was ready to offer the Society the property at a price far below its value, and under very easy terms. Concerning this offer, the Society’s annual report in 1912 says: “At the last annual meeting you recommended your committee to consider the question of purchasing a ground in view of the demand for better stock accommodation and the inadequacy of the present ground for future requirements, and the insecurity of the Society’s tenure. After very full consideration and after inspection of a number of grounds offered in response to an advertisement, your committee recommended the purchase of 51 acres of Messrs. Nelson Bros.’ property at Tomoana at a total cost of £5319 1 6, and this was unanimously agreed to at a general meeting of members held in the 1^st
December, 1911. The ground is admirably suited for the purpose, being dry and sheltered and well-planted with trees, and having a frontage, the railway for a siding and the Society is to be congratulated upon its acquisition. “ A sub-committee that year […] was set up to consider the material aspect and it decided that an effort be made to raise the whole cost by voluntary subscriptions.
Mr. Coleman headed the list with a donation of £50 to be increased to £100 if the whole amount is raised.

[…] 1912 the amount promised had reached had reached [£2…] of which [£…] sum of had been handed over to […] Nelson Bros. […] The […] meeting […] into the […] they […] Messrs Nelson Bros. […] Messrs Nelson Bros. […] generous offer

In 1920, the then president, Mr. G.R. Beamish, at the annual meeting stated that the new grounds at Tomoana, some 60 acres, were fully paid for in 1918, the purchase money (£6169) being found as follows: £2894 from accumulated funds of the society, and the balance, £3275, from donations generously contributed from certain members, notably Messrs Coleman £600, F. W. Williams £125,
J. A. Macfarlane £110, T. M. Chambers, T. H. Lowry, E. J. Watt, Sydney Johnson, A. H. Russell, John Chambers, £100 each, and various subscribers of smaller amounts.
Continuing, he said: “The new grounds have many natural advantages for their purpose, and the urgent problem before the members was to make them the best and most up-to-date and most beautiful showgrounds in the Dominion.Taking into consideration the high cost of all materials and labour it was probable that a sum of £30,000, in addition to the funds available will be required. He concluded an impelling appeal by moving that the new committee be directed to take immediate steps to raise funds to complete the new showgrounds. Immediate response to the appeal was forthcoming. Mr J. H. Coleman, again displaying his loyalty and generosity to the Society by putting his name down on the list for £500. Mr J. A. Macfarlane also subscribed £500. With this fresh start […]
…others who felt that it would be better to postpone expending money in equipping the new grounds until the country and it’s people had recovered from the heavy war expenditure and the burden of taxation was lifted. With a view of asertaining what was best to be done, and clear away any misunderstanding the Hastings Chamber of Commerce wrote to the society last May asking for information. Further correspondance followed, and in August last a conference was held between representatives of this Society and the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. At this […] the Society was very […] about the need for early removal. Finally it was resolved that the […] of the racecourse should be extended by one year, and that the Spring Show of the year 1925 should […] on the new grounds at Tomoana.Summing up their contention […] of their society say that […] showground. For economy […] this has been tried in […] New Zealand, but nowhere has it been a success. the […] better show […] than in the past and if we cannot keep abreast of the demand there is nothing surer than that the Hawke’s Bay Show will […] into a secondary position. This being the well considered opinion of the executive of the Society, a general appeal for support is to be launched. A considerable sum is at hand, and the executive state that the last financial hurdle will not be a very big one. From a Hastings point of view the new grounds will be an acquisition to the town. Hastings is going to be a very big centre and every new breathing space  that can be preserved will be of great value as the town grows and the congestion increases. The site of the new grounds is tree-studded and park-like and as the illustrations we publish today disclose, is enclosed by very beautiful surroundings.
The principal entrance will be 1 3/8 miles from the Post office as against a little over half a mile to the […]
…coming there need be no fear but that they will make the Hawke’s Bay Show , one of the finest, if not the finest, held in the Dominion.

MR. WILLIAM HESLOP, J.P., Hastings, an old pioneer of Hawke’s Bay, was born at Blackhill, Northumberland, England, and came to New Zealand, with his parents, in 1856. He joined the militia in 1864 and the cavalry in 1868 and he holds the New Zealand war medal. Mr. Heslop always took a keen interest in rifle-shooting and was recognised as a fine shot, holding his own until quite lately with many of the younger members of the Okawa Rifle Club of which he was created a life member. He was deeply interested in pastoral matters and as a […] of sheep and draught horses, Mr. Heslop has earned a local reputation.

Photo caption – G. R. Beamish of Whana Whana, another ex-president of the H.B. A. and P. Society, and another prime mover in securing and developing the new showgrounds at Tomoana.

Photo caption – the father of Hawke’s Bay. In a letter to the old pioneers, read by Mr. C. Baird, at the luncheon held at Hastings yesterday, he stated: Sixty years ago, yesterday, he went to the show at Havelock for an hour. Exhibits about two dozen sheep, two bulls, two entires, and one pig.

Photo caption – Looking from Mr. Wm. Nelson’s residence, at Waikoko across the lake to the new Show Grounds, where the Spring Show in 1925 is to be held.

Photo caption – Near the Stewards’ Paddock on the new Show Grounds, showing Mr. Nelson’s residence across the lake in the centre.

Photo caption – Fine avenues of trees at Waikoko, slightly over one mile from the Tribune Office. On the right hand sideof the above is the pastureland, which the A. and P. Society is desirous of purchasing for football, cricket and athletic ground for Hastings.