WAIKATO'S BIG DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 127, 1 June 1938, Page 10

WAIKATO'S BIG DAY

WINTER SHOW.

RECORD CROWD.

OPENING CEREMONY.

VISCOUNT GALWAY PRESENT.

TOWN ANl> COUNTRY UNITE,

(By Telogrnph.— Spcclal to "Star.")

HAMILTON, this day,

Marking another milestone in the development of the Waikato, the thirtysecond Waikato Winter Show was officially opened this afternoon by the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, before a record crowd. From an early hour Hamilton was seething with a dense mass of humanity and even the capacious and stately Bledisloe Hall was too small to hold the hundreds anxious to hear the opening speeches. Welcome by Mayor. Tho weather was fine, but overcast and chilly. His Excellency was received with enthusiasm on arriving at the show buildings. In welcoming the Governor-General, Hamilton's new Mayor, Mr. H. D. Caro, said that Hamilton , and the Waikato were honoured to receive a visit from him. He extended. also a welcome to the huge crowd of visitors to the exhibition, which stood as a monument to thoso pioneers who initiated it 32 years ago. Since then, by the strenuous eflorts of the officials and generous support of the public the show had become outstanding of its kind in the Dominion, and the largest dairy produce show in the world.. This year farmers and others interested would be able to compare their own produce with that of 30 different overseas countries normally competing with New Zealand on the London market. In every way the Winter Show had done much for Hamilton. It had been mainly responsible for bringing the town and country into closer touch. Mr. Caro concluded by paying a tribute to the show officials, including the hard-working secretary. Mr. W. H. Paul. Hamilton's winter show has become well known beyond the confines of the Dominion and occupies a unique position, not only because, of the wide range of exhibits and entertainment, but for its cultural and educational influence which are interwoven with the progress of the community. . Guided by men of wide vision and single purpose, the show association is so much part and parcel of the Hamilton district that the future could not be complacently contemplated without it. For nearly a week the bulk of the town s commercial activity is focused within the show buildings and its environs, and the trade turnover which is the result reaches big figures. :•»:* "The Waikato Winter Show fills a very definite arid useful place in the may be seen the result's of our fruitful and, allied to skilful husbandry, and here farmers are enabled to keep abreast of the times, renew old friendships and make new ones,. Side by side with the results of progressive farming are mechanical aids which make it possible for pounds of butter and pyramids of 4 ® "P eak "ore eloquently than lan?' 8 ,ertllit y of our o* to Anw sttensh?w ittmctions of the I th * "ctloa, the wll. i T r to|,, l ,lllc salon and the tnw ! I "* tltut ® courts, and paid a * b " i<T " "" 4*** yoty ot Innovations. But the' winter show ' is v»rv m n.i. "on™,?™ * lt7 plifi" th. bold K;sS;„t'. th Xh*™.r Mr Pl °wnr by £ h ®T > energetic «ecretary Mr WUham H. Paul, who thig of a n cea r V stream of propaganda, which reaches aTI pl?, r i the . Dominion Kid beyond, Mr. Paul must be given most of the credit well ififtti"? *„ which is always well oiled And efficient. 8 J£?huT orld 'V r i r ? eßt dair r 9ho^. w»r. fli ' j produce this # increased space, and contains crates of cheese and boxes of butter f'.°™ ever y important factory in both islands. Great pride is taken in these annual tests „of quality, tests which this year are. more reassuring than ever. c ® n *Werable expense, an exhibit, of special v«lue to . producers is a consignment , of cheesecomprising samples sold" on the London market. It is the most comprehensive yet arranged * by the Department of Agriculture. This Department also stages instructional exhibits dealing with pasture growth, topdressing and grazing. There is also • horticultural stand where seasonal crops are featured, with instructional exhibits on disease control in the various phases of the fruit industry, while research into mastitis, honey grading and beekeeping are elsewhere demonstrated. The value of these exhibits to the farmer-visitors cannot be overrated. '* Another department which is arousing intense interest is the exhibition of relics and historical curiosities. The Waikato is rich in the history of the pioneer days and the Maori wars, and this is the first attempt to collate and preserve reminders of those days. Great Photographic Display. With entries tfrom many overseas countries, the International Photographic Salon has 'evoked a gratifying response, and some remarkably fine examples of pictorial art are presented. In selection;-' composition and treatment many of these camera studies are equal to anything previously exhibited in Australia and New Zealand, Beginning some years ago in a jfmall kTv' ® Waikato Institute Courts « 6 >nto the major attraction Vnaennitv" Rt t * le , sl, °w. The amazing hours of n 8 efforts and •levoted to whlch hav « courts speak voilm* ' in these

country is there keener competition thaii in the district courts. A first prize is the event of the year in the particular district so honoured. Although last year the YVaikato Show was favoured with the Coronation Day crowds and the general spirit of jollification that accompanied that momentous event, it lost much by the absence -of children, owing to the epidemic of infantile paralysis. To-day there wore more adults than children at the show. It is always so on opening dniy, but throughout the week thousands of juveniles will be brought into Hamilton from centres as far distant a« Taumarunui, Waihi, Thames and Kotorua. Indeed, the transport of visitors from all parts of the wide area of which Hamilton is the geographical centre keeps the Railway Department working at high pressure. 1 There will be a procession of special trains into Frankton Junction each day this week. Ample Entertainment. Children find endless amusement, not only in the large entertainment area known as "Canvas Town," but in the variety of working models and machinery which pack the big stands. Thus, the School section, comprising all sorts of competitions in drawing, writing, art, etc., comes into its own again this year. Each year the Show Association makes an effort to provide something new in free entertainment, and this year some of the features include tight-rope walking, modern and classical solo dancing, and mannequin parades. The new light steel bridge across Bledisloe Hall is in use for the first time and enables much improved display. Outside the three main cities Hamilton leads the Dominion in motor statistics, and it is only natural that the many motor firms doing business in the town make the most use of the Motor Olympia at the show. Here the latest models and advances in motordom are strikingly presented, and the stands this year cover a greater area than ever. Well-lighted, aicy and spacious, the show buildings are the envy of many kindred associations, and are a monument to the vision of former administrators. The faith placed in the show by manufacturers and merchants throughout the Dominion has never been more impressively shown than in the phenomenal demand for . space, which was booked up weeks ago. As a rendezvous. for town and country the Waikato Winter Show will attract thousands throughout the week from far beyond the Waikato.