THE METROPOLITAN SHOW.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9882, 12 November 1897, Page 4

THE METROPOLITAN SHOW.

To-day, in Canterbury, we celebrate once more the great annual gathering which, from a purely provincial affair, has really grown into a national event. It is satisfactory to know that, in regard to the exhibits as a whole, the Show this yer.r compares very favourably with any of its predecessors. The visit of our new Governor and Lady Ranfubly cannot fail to add prestige to the occasion, and, judging from the number of visitors in town, there seems every reason to. hope that, given fine weather, the record attendance of last year will be surpassed.

The value of the Metropolitan Show from an educational point of view has often baen dilated upon. Not only do the farmers f?et a good deal of information likely to assist them in their work, but other classes of producers—the implement makers for example—in the competition which takes place are bound to get hints which will lead them into the path of making still greater improvements in their own particular industries. Nor is the educational effect upon the townspeople to be altogether despised. If it does nothing else it teaches them that the prosperity of the country ultimately depends upon the tillers of the soil, and that without the farmers the towns, with all their machinery for distribution, would collapse like a pricked bubble.

Lastly, the value of the Metropolitan Show as a social agent can hardly be over-estimated. In the firsfc place it serves as a rallying point for old •friends from all parts of the colony, who otherwise would not soo effch other for years—perhaps would never cross each other's path. On all I hands during the day one hears the hearty salutations of those who meet J after a long absence, and it is easy to j see how much real pleasure the gathering brings about in this way. Independently of this the Show introduces an element of strong human interest into the lives of those who dwell in parts of the country where there is not much to diversify existence, who work hard throughout the year, and who, it is to be feared, have little to lift them out of the ruts and grooves of the daily routine of toil. To these the Show is an event to look forward to, and it supplies them with material both for talk and reflection for some time after it has taken place. On many grounds Canterbury has reason to be proud of its great bucolic gathering, and to wish for its prosperity in the future. For our part wo cordially hope that year by year it will continue to increase both in its popularity and usefulness.