SECOND DAY.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14507, 8 November 1912, Page 7

SECOND DAY.

MORE DULL WEATHER,

So far, tlio Canterbury Metropolitan Show has not been favoured with anything exceptional in the way of agreeable weather. Wednesday was, frankly, an impossible day; yesterday, so far os the morning was concerned, showed a great improvement, but tho afternoon was cold and cheerless, and at times wot. Tho attendance of tlio public, although well up to the average of the day, was not so largo as undoubtedly would have been tho caso had the climatic conditions proved more genial. Notwithstanding tho heavy rainfall of tho previous day, the grounds yesterday wero in really first-class order. Thero was littlo mud nnd no looso water, aud the duty of perambulation around tho different exhibits was nothing liko fo arduous as might havo been expected. Yesterday was essentially tho live stock day. Myriads of pens untenanted on Wednesday were found yesterday to contain tho choicest specimens of sheep and cattlo that the province could produce, and throughout tho day tho avenues between tho pen." wero lined with country people, keen to cast tho cyo of individual criticism upon tho Ktook on view and upon tlio awards mado by tho official adjudicators. It was generally conceded that tho exhibits penned were well up to tho standard of previous years. In shcop thero was a noticcablo increase in the condition and quality of tho animals shown in tho different classes, and competent judges were unanimous that, taking the sheep all round, thero has seldom been a better display on tho Addington Show Grounds. It is truo that the total entries wero a triflo fewer, but that was more than compensated for by tho excellence and evenness of tho animals pqnued. Tho cattlo, also, wero of a high order of quality, and very representative of tho different classes, although thero wero ono or two weaknesses which were noted by outsido experts, notably tho absence of Holsteins.

Tho 6tand exhibits and the displays in tho permanent buildings wero accorded a liberal public patronago and appreciation. Practically all, the exhibits woro in their appointed places yesterday, and they commanded much attention.Tho motor show again emphasised its position as ono of tho most attractive features of tho festival, and tho farm implements and machinery on exhibition' also aroused much interest.

Tho competitions held on tho oval during tho afternoon proved, as usual, an undoubted attraction. Tho stand was at times almost crowded, and dense crowds of spectators thronged tho outer rim of tho oval. Particular interest attached to the pony jumping for boy and girl riders, and the performance of some of tho youngsters wero really first-class, and produced hearty rounds of applause.

Tho 6ide-show's were in full Operation yesterday, and attracted much attention, even if the business achieved was not commensurate with the merits of tho performances as detailed by the gentlemen orators outside, for from - a showman's point of now thero was too great a disposition on tho part of the public to listen to tho elocutionary efforts, and then pass on. The steam roundabout, however, seemed to have nothing to complain of in tho way of lack of patronage, and tho big-voiced, long-winded gentlemen in charge of tho cheap-jack, hoop-la, and other emporiums, also appeared to bo working with considerable advantage to themselves.

To-day wiil bo People's ,Day, the great day of the Show, and'the whole of tho many attractions of the show will be working at their maximum to interest and amuse the multitudes who assemble on that day. The competitions in tho oval will include jumping contests for light and heavy-weight hunters, ladies' hunters, qnd riding events for boys aad girls.