WAIKATO WINTER SHOW

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 123, 25 May 1923, Page 2 (Supplement)

WAIKATO WINTER SHOW

A WONDERFUL INSTITUTION. HISTORY OF ITS GROWTH. P. EM ARKA 11 LE FIGI," R E_. - i.teen years ago the Waikato Winter snow was established at Hamilton, *,=--• first show being held iv a portion <■' 'he Horse Bazaar and a tent. The i rune movers in inaugurating what is _ti\v tiie world's greatest dairy show v ,. :r . \|es-r . .1. \. Voting. MP., das. S. . ond. Ulan Bell nnd Walter < bitty. Mr. Bell being the first president. While nturning from a visit to Wellington Messrs. Ihmd and Young visited the Pabnerston North show ami were so struck witli it- possibilities that they approached the Waikato A. and P. As so.iatinn asking them to establish a Winter show in Hamilton. The association could not sec its way i-lcar to in-

crease it 9 responsibility, and Messrs. Bond, Young and Bell then called a public meeting of farmers and business men and it was decided to establish the Waikato Winter Show Association. At the first fixture the dairy factory entries totalled three e_hibits. To-day they total 875. The exhibits at the first chow consisted of a few roots, garden produce and ladies' needlework, and although the show was not such a tremendous success each member of tlie committee realised that by adopting progressive methods they had the foundation laid for a great institution. The remarkable part of the history of this association ia that it has never looked back. Up to 1914 substantial progress had been made, and it was the only association of its kind in the Dominion that insisted that a Department of Agriculture exhibit should be maintained at their show. It is one of the few associations that did not petition the Government to remit the amusement tax, and the only association that maintained the popular admission fee of one shilling. It was the first association to apply to the Government for war certificates, and practically the only association that, increased its entries and maintained its attendance throughout the war period. Each succeeding year the space was increased and in 1910 the association erected a building of its own immediately behind the Horse Ba_aar. It purchased land which, through lack of finance it had to sell, and a few years later, so remarkable was its progress, that it. had to repurchase the land at four times the price it had been sold for. In 1918 the association again purchased additional land, and at the present time its winter show buildings comprise more covered-in space than those of any association of its kind in the Dominion. A striking illustration of the manner in which the show has progrossed is shown by the fact that at the first show tho entries wore approximately 500. Last year they were over 11.000, and there is every indication that this year these figures will lie materially increased. Sonic half dozen commercial exhibits were shown the first year: last, year practically every milking machine on tho market in the" Dominion was exhibited, and practically every manufacturer or dealer in dairvin'g machinery and agricultural implement, was represented. The attendance the first year was 3.000 and last year it was estimated that 50,000 people passed Hirough the gates. This year there has been such a demand for space that the association has had to secure the temporary use of adjoining property, and has also made arrangements for demonstrations of technical education to he given, the technical school, which adjoins the show buildings being absorbed for the purpose. In tlie small .-.parp available if is Impossible to refer to all trio novel features of this yoar"s show, but a few must he mentioned. For instance in the dairy section, for the first time will be seem exhibits of Canadian cheese and Danish butter, whicli are being shown with a view to acquainting Dominion factory manager, with the "methods of manufacture and packing adopted in the countries mentioned. Tho Breeders' Associations will oive demonstrations each day in a large marquee. Tho finest of pedigree stock will lie on exhibition, and judging competitions will be held. The members of the Waikato Calf Club, which was established last year by the Waikato Winter Show, will exhibit their calves, which will' be sold by auction on the Friday of Elocutionary competitions will be held, also school choir competitions, and on children's day a spo rts programme will be arranged. Tbe association has received petitions bom school committ.es on the Rotorua