The group's various efforts in included selling war stamps, holding community concerts, collecting salvage. registering firearms. holding small fairs and plowing matches and many other. similar fund raising schemes. The proceeds from those efforts were all given to charity and, in turn, were sent as Christmas gifts to soldiers overseas, donated to Kings County Hospitals and were used to aid the Red Cross, Y.M,C.A., Knights of Columbus and other charities.

The Dundas group became known as the Central Kings Carry on Canada Corps., with Leslie Hunter, president; N. W. MacLeod, vice-president; and W .B. Creed, secretary.

One of the major efforts put forth by the Central Kings group was the holding of the annual plowing match and small fair. The first match was held at Frank Clay's farm in Bridgetown on October 2, 1941. There were four horseplowing classes and one tractor class with approximately 600 people in attendance. W.W. Baird of Amherst, N.S.. was considered to be the first judge for the plowing match. The first match was considered quite a success, as the net profit amounted to $166.91. which was donated to charity. This was the origin of the Dundas Plowing Match & Fair. which later became enacted by the Provincial Legislative Assembly in March, 1944. In 1944. the association purchased the Dundas Courthouse building for a meeting place and community hall. In 1947. the association purchased a 99 acre farm in Albion Cross from John Martin MacDonald. A 100 foot exhibit building was built for exhibits on the grounds, an eating booth was erected and the Provincial Government gave a grant of $1 ,000 to assist the fair. In the years following, we now have four large cattle barns, as well as horse barns and additional buildings for office space and entertainment.

A very honourable mention must be given to the man who promoted the whole organization from the beginning, and who presided over the Plowing Match for over 30 years, the late Mr. Leslie Hunter. An honourable mention must also be given to a man who was on the executive for over 20 years as secretary, the late Mr. Albert Acorn. The late Mr. William Hunter also served as a valuable member of the executive and president for many years. It was the work of these dedicated men and their community-minded directors that helped to expand the fair to its present day size. This year's exhibition events include plowing competitions, poultry and livestock exhibitions, a pony and light horse show, carriage horse and heavy horse shows, farm grown products and grain competitions, household economics and needlecraft & handicraft exhibitions. Stepdancing competitions will also be held on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

~ from The Beacon newspaper August 17, 1993

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard