‘Very successful show’ attracts some 80,000

Press, 14 November 1981, Page 26

‘Very successful show’ attracts some 80,000

Earthy country odours blended with the sweet smell of candy floss yesterday as thousands of people flocked to the final day of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Show.

The show’s director, Mr N. M. Woods, estimated that more than 80,000 people visited the show during its three days. It had been “a very successful show, with no major hassles.” An estimated $73,500 in gate takings from yesterday contributed to a provisional record total for the three days of about $106,000. He saw the success of the show as just reward for the organisers who had spent the last 12 months improving various facilities, including catering venues, and extending the trade exhibition area. A new method of loading and unloading cattle came through its first real test yesterday with flying colours. Mr Woods said that the biggest disappointment had been the problems with car parking. With a trotting

meeting on next door at Addington Raceway yesterday, thousands of cars had converged on the area causing some headaches for motorists. A free bus service between Riccarton Mall and the show grounds . had been well patronised. Concern about the affect of the dry autumn on stock exhibited at the show had proved unfounded, with the standards equal to previous ones, said Mr Woods. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association now looked forward to being host to the Royal Show at Christchurch next year. The third day of the show is traditionally family day, and the thousands of visitors at the show grounds combined with trade displays and a multitude of livestock to provide a colourful spectacle.

Children climbed over farm machinery making “tractor noises” while their fathers discussed the performance of the machines with the display attendants.

Interest in events in the main arena focused on the Grand Parade and the annual polo match between the North and South Islands.

The crowds walking the gauntlet of pushy sideshow attendants at times reached claustrophobic proportions. From the smiles on children’s faces and blank stares from parents, it was obvious who was paying for the entertainment.

Surrounded by cheap junk prizes, one sideshow attendant was seen thumbing through a roll of money, while over the counter children queued up ankle deep in hot-dog wrappers and drink cans to spend a few more

dollars of their weary parents' money. One man who had just paid $2 for his son to spend three minutes in a go-kart reckoned he was getting a “fair deal.” But at another go-kart tent, where an 80second ride cost the same price, an annoyed parent remarked that he was being “robbed.”

About 30 children were reported lost to the League of Mothers tent, and the St John Ambulance was kept busy with several people requiring minor treatment for headaches and blisters.