WAIKATO'S SHOW.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 128, 1 June 1926, Page 8

WAIKATO'S SHOW.

m MOST SPECTACULAR FUNCTION. GREAT HISTORICAL EVENT. SOME WONDERFUL ROOT CROPS. HIGH PRAISE FOR OFFICIALS. (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") HAMILTON, this day. One of the greatest events in the history of the South Auckland province took place this afternoon, when the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime Minister of New Zealand, opened the 20th Waikato Winter Show and Industrial Exhibition. For the past few days the town of Hamilton has been gradually filling with visitors from all parts of the Dominion. Consequently Victoria Street had the appearance of Queen Street, Auckland, on a Friday night as the opening hour drew near. The crowds already here had been swelled by full special trains from country districts. Glorious weather prevailed. On the platform with the Prime Minister were the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health and member for Hamilton, Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Ohinemuri, Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P. for Rotorua, Mr. Stewart Reid, M.P. for Waikato, Mr. J. R. Fow, Mayor of Hamilton, Mr. W. Wallace, president of the Waikato Winter Show Association, members of the executive, and other prominent personages. Show Eclipses All Others. Speaking to the "Star" special representative at the show, the president, Mr. W. Wallace, said: "Things never seemed brighter. The entries in all classes have been a long way ahead of any previous year. There are close on 1000 entries in the dairy section alone. An outstanding feature is the wonderful exhibit of root crops, which would be hard to beat in any show. Our accommodation, although much enlarged, has been severely overtaxed, despite the fact that it has been considerably increased. We have had to take in a large portion of the space used by the Motor Olympia last year. And even now we have not enough space, and have had to utilise some part of the footpath and roadway. It is most gratifying to the people of, this district, as well as to the executive," he continued, "to have the Prime Minister and the other members of Parliament with us to-day. Their visit is all the more appreciated because we know that, with the approach of the session, they must be busy men. Provided the weather keeps fine, it is anticipated that all records will be eclipsed this year as far as attendance is - concerned.. ,, Mr. A. M. Samuels, M.P. for Ohinemuri, when asked for his opinion, said: "It is one of the finest displays I have ever seen. The root crops are truly wonderful, and are an education to all. The display of the whole show is a credit to all concerned, and much praise is due to the secretary, Mr. W. H. Paul." Referring to the three district courts from Gordonton, Puketaha and Hillcrest, Mr. Samuel eaid he had never seen finer examples of what those particular districts could produce. "Well, how are things going T" Mr. W. H. Paul was asked. "Never better," he replied. "This year's winter show eclipses all others, and truly it is the world's greatest dairy show. As for sideshows," he continued, "I don't know where to squeeze another in. In all my experience I have never seen anything like it. It is a pity, but we have had to turn down numerous applications for space. . Something will have to be done before the 1927 fixture comes round." Finest Display Ever Seen. The display of roots and other primary products has outstripped anything of the kind in past years, good and all ac former displays have been. Last year's show was so good that one would have thought it impossible to improve on it, but there is no doubt whatever this year's display has passed the most sanguine expectations. Not only are the number and quality of the exhibits of an outstanding nature, but the artistic manner in which they have been staged reflects the highest credit on the committee and the energetic secretary, Mr. W. H. Paul. To make a display that attracts the eye and arrests the attention requires great artistic ability, and tnat i 3 just what has been done in this instance. The wonderful arrays of swedes, soft turnips, mangels and roots of all kinds, are an indication of what successful farming can accomplish. In a country such as the Waikato, which is purely pastoral, the fanners have to depend lor winter feed for their stock on roots and hay. When one sees the great quality as well as the size of the roots, it can readily be understood how this wonderful district, which is known as "the garden of New Zealand," leads the Dominion in dairy produce. Great Butter and Cheese Entry. Besides the fodder crops there ie most appropriately a great entry of butter and cheese. This would not be possible without the wealth of winter feed to carry the herds successfully through the winter months, which, although not nearly so severe as in other districts, necessitates an ample supply of food for stock. Such an exhibit is an object lesson to all who have the privilege of seeing it It shows what good farming can do in making land, which in its original state could only be described a3 second-class, produce fodder crops equal to the best in this Dominion. Nothing to. Compare With Them. Discussing the wonderful root crops with the "Star" special representative at the show, Mr. R. W. Roche, who was an early pioneer settler in the Waikato and one who never misses a Waikato winter show, was most enthusiastic about them. Mr. Roche is considered to be one of the best judges of roots in the country. He said he had travelled over practically all the farming districts of Jfew Zealand and emphatically observed that the only part of the Dominion he had seen that could successfully compare with the Waikato, Rotorua and King Country districts for root crops was Southland. In that lastmentioned district, too, wonderful swedes and soft turnips are grown. "I have visited winter shows in various parts of both islands," said Mr. Roche, "but in no instance have I seen anything to compare with the Waikato winter show for variety and quality. Equally fine roots are grown near Invercargill and other parts of Southland, but never in such variety. There ie no doubt," he continued, "that the manner in wliich they are staged here enhances

the attractiveness of the show; but iparfc from all that, the quality is so good that it compels attention even r rom people who are not conversant with 'arming methods." "It can be truly said," Mr. Roche •emarked in conclusion, "the whole winter exhibition reflects the highest jredit on the committee and the secrea.ry, Mr. Paul, who has shown himself :o be a perfect organiser and an ideal acecutive officer. The success of any mdertaking of the kind depends chiefly >n the administrative ability of such an t jfficial." , T