THIRD DAY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13888, 12 November 1910, Page 10

THIRD DAY.

KSin Mr A. McKcllar.

Tho charm of the finale of iho Metropolitan Show of the Canterbury .\ and P. Association -aptly termed People's Day—u> not. «<> much the exhibits an the colossal gathering of victors from all parts assembling on the Snow Ground*. H is an annual uathcrinp: marked in the calendar o» country folk a* a hi-h festival. J-.ve.its are dated from it a.s from smnc motoric ■ occurrence, and these farmers forefather with their nei-hbonrs an, othere and discuss at much length, and with the display cf infinite bucolic lore on the mcrite of sheep and cattle, .o the townsfolk it is sv day out amon-.s-, .. crowd, with the added excitement t.l varied displays in vhich they take a.nuich interctet a ri their country cousins ,lo in stock. It is small wonder, therefore, that the occasion should Ijp marked by the gathering in thousands of tho Canterbury people. Yr*teruay. favoured by perfect weather, there was a record attendance. '1 he grounds, viewed Irom the balcony ot the weretary's office, were one mass of people, the" varied colours of which chan-ec vith kaleidcficopic rapidity.

His Excellency the Governor a-am visited the Show, and as one who for the first tune saw the .-iiovniotw crowd ot well-dressed, happy-looking l>c(.ple. must have been favourably impress".''! with what he saw. Lady L-dm-ton was •ilfio present, and arrived on the ground in'time to see the. very interesting and exciting displays of jumping. Ihe main noticeable feature ot the Show yesterday—a feature happily prominent In connection with all large public ♦'athcriiuis in Canterbury—was the entire absence, ot the semblance or rowdyism, and the evident thorough and complete enjoyment of the holiday by those assembled. The French wiyini: that British people take their pleasure sadly evidently has no application so tar ns New Zealandens ;>re coiicerncd, and in addition it would be imjKissible in any part of the Empire to congregate a more orderly, welll.ehaved concourse of pei>ple than was to be seen yesterday. The attendance, us has been said, was i; We've reached a thousand pounds, taken at the said Mr Mc.Kellar (who sat as his father before him at the receipt of custom) about three o'clock, "and they are still cominjj; in." One can remember how, in the old times, optimistic members ot the committee spoke of reaching the thousand pounds mark as a tiling to be looked for in the dim, distant future; a <;oal which was to he striven and honed tor, but possessing something of the deceitful character of the mirage. This, however, was in the day of small things. Now St. is looked upon as a matter of course, given good weather, an illustration of the progress mado by the Association and the Provincial District.

The various tent exhibits were stormed throughout the day by legions of sightseers, and round the Produce tShed surged eager crowds, packing it to overflowing. Tho numerous side shows also attracted masses of wondering visitors, to whom the fluent solicitors of patronage poured forth unceasingly florid and, in some respects, highly imaginative descriptions of tho various entertainments.

The jumping events in tho show ring aro always popular, and yesterday was no exception to the nile. The grand Htand was full to overflowing, and round the ring itself tho crowd was packed in a dense mass. Tho public, owe a deep debt of gratitude to the" members of the St. John Ambulance Association, who, with a self-sacrifico which is beyond all praise, £avo up their holiday for the sood of others. The tram service was most excellently managed. The enormous crowd was carried to and fro with commendable rapidity, and every precaution was taken to prevent a hitch occurring. Altogether, the people of Canterbury Haro to be congratulated upon tho thorough success in every respect of their great annual holiday, nothing occurring to mar in the slightest degree the full enjoyment of tho gathering.

THE GOVERNOR AT THE SHOW His Excellency tho Governor visited tho show yesterday, arriving on tho grounds accompanied by Captaiu Hamilton shortly before one o'clock. Tho president, vice-president, past presidents, and committee of the Association entertained his Excellency at luncheon, at which there were also present a large number of the guests of the committee. The only toast, honoured was that of His Majesty the King. After luncheon, his Excellency watched, from the grand stand, tho parade' of stock, and the jumping events, and was much interested in them. His Excellency was, it is understood, especially pleased with the draught horses. Lady Islington arrived on the show grounds shortly before threo o'clock, accompanied by Captain Shannon. The vice-regal pnrty left tho show grounds shortly after four o clock.