FIRST DAY OF ROYAL SHOW

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26265, 9 November 1950, Page 6

FIRST DAY OF ROYAL SHOW

Judging Of Stock Classes OFFICIAL OPENING TO-DAY Traditionally a day for the expert rather than for the uninformed, the opening of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Centennial Royal Show at Addington yesterday was devoted almost entirely to business. This year the show is being held for three days, and the judging will be continued tq-day, with People’s Day on Friday. By comparison with the normal judging day, the show yesterday was extraordinarily quiet. The main arena was occupied for most of the day by docile cattle, and only those who waited until the end of the afternoon saw one of the show’s most popular features—the horse jumping events. These will be continued to-day. The show is. in effect, the country’s shop window, but yesterday there were few city visitors to pflmire the very fine displays of cattle, sheep and horses. Throughout the day the centre of the stage was occupied by the judges, whose ability to make up their minds rapidly contributed largely to the smooth running of the show. The sheep pens, from an early hour, drew’ many visitors, as befitted perhaps the most important part of the show. The sleepy pigs. too. were the centre of a rather inexplicable public interest, but from their appearance and behaviour, show day to them was just another day. During the morning there was an unreal quiet about side-show’ alley, and even in the afternoon, when business became a little brisker, the barkers w’ere remarkably restrginedb It may be they. saving their voices for to-morrow’: a day they usually need every ounce of their energy. The sideshows showed little variation from previous years, although in one. it was alleged, there was a snake engaged in playing cards, surely the ultimate in the side-show business. This morning the show wilf be officially opened by the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Freyberg).