PUBLIC APATHY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 269, 10 November 1923, Page 13

PUBLIC APATHY.

IN TAKAPUNA SHOW. REDUCED PROGRAMME APPROVED. The eleventh annua! report of the Northern Suburban Agricultural and Horticultural Association was submitted to a largely attended meeting of memberg and others interested iv the Association, held at the Foresters' Hall, Takapuna, last evening. Mr. Thomas Hanna (president) in the chair. In regard to last year's Show the report stated that the entries were much the same as in other years. If anything, there was a better display and more competition in the cut flowers section. The children's section was particularly good, and for this the effort- of Mr. G. H. Matthews, headmaster of the Takapuna School, called for commendation. In regard to the ring events the report noted a falling-off in the heavy and light draught horse sections, so much so that the Society should seriously consider the elimination of this section at future shows. The Show itself was not a financial success, and, continued the report, the Society had been able to show a balance, alone due to the special work of the Social Committee. Year after year the Association held its annual Show, but apparently no headway was being made towards the goal it had set. Each year there was practically the same attendance, which should be doubled, and there were the same overhead expenses, so that if the weather was wet the Association stood to lose heavily. The costs of the annual Show were heavy in providing tents, horse and cattle lines, show ring, all conveniences, etc.. to say nothing of the days of labour given by members of tho committee. There appeared to be at present an utter lack of interest in show matters on the part of the public generally, yet there should be no difficulty in presenting a first-rate show in a country like New *-caland, and especially in the northern suburban districts of Northeote. Birkenhead, Birkdale, Albany, Devonport, and Takapuna, where agricultural pursuits were followed and intensive flower and vegetable growing was practised and fruit orchards abounded, and where the craft of the needle was known to the gentler sex. But otherwise waa the case, and quite a lot of canvassing had to be done to obtain anything like a good number of exhibits. The time had therefore come when the Association must decide whether it would continue to hold the usual Show, running the risk of considerable financial loss, or make a departure and hold an indoor show only. After some discussion it was decided to hold an indoor show this year, instead of the usual larger function, owing to the very heavy expense and fin___eial loss incurred last year. The following office-bearers were elected: President. Mr. J. Collins; vicepresidents, Mr. T. Hanna and Mr. J. Sim; secretary and treasurer. Mr. Geo. 11. E. Collins; assistant secretary, Mr.