WANGANUI SHOW.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 November 1907, Page 2

WANGANUI SHOW.

A RECORD ENTRY. (BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL COIUIESPONDENT.) Wanganui, November 12. The Wangaimi Show opens to-morrow morning. The entries constitute a record for Wanganui, ami apparently a record for New Zealand. The entries of the important classcs of farm stock are not quite so large as tlioso at Christchurcli and Palmerston, but the great mass of exhibits in the minor divisions bring the total entries up to 3286. The figures are hero shown in contrast with those of the other Shows' Canter- Mana- Waubuvy. watu. ganui. Horses 460 266 G27 Sheep ... 778 926 352 Cattfo 230 222 197 Pigs ' 5-1 50 13 Dogs 16 324 315 Cats' .... ... - - 7 Poultry, pigeons, and cage birds — — 429 Home industries — ■ — 1316 Dairy produce, dressed poultry, cured and pres. meats 149 — — Art and other industrial exhibits ... — 1306 — J Totals ... 1747 2606 3286 In these figures numerous school exhibits at Wanganui aro not Tho districts surrounding Wanganui are, of course, noted for their great outputs of horses, and it "s not surprising tn find the entries numerous. 11l dogs also Wanganui leads the way, and its seven cats distinguish it from other shows of the Dominion. In homo industrie*! also it tops the list. Wanganui, though not usually counted among tho national shows, has many features about it that are creditable. _ The show-ground of seventy acres is tho biggest in the Dominion, and some consider also tho, prettiest. Its artificial lake, with its ducks, swans, silver pheasants, and peacocks, certainly add to its attractions. The society has a membership of closo on a thousand, and last year's expenditure of over £800 on new buildings was covered by one year's subscriptions. Tho buildings aro valued at nearly £3000. Last year's gate was about £500, and the computed attendance 22,000 people. The prospects this yfear aro good for a big show if the weather should remain fine. Jliss Abbott-, tho champion horsdwoman of New Zealand, will be a competitor. The attention of tho local committee was called to tho fact that a protest had been lodged with tho. Jlanawatu committee alleging that she was a professional, and that an inquiry had been held. The Wanganui secretary, therefore, to-day got into communication with the Manawatu Secretary to ascertain the verdict in order to be guided ill the attitude to be adopted at; Wanganui. Ho was informed, however, that the protest had completely fallen through. Tho lady rival, who entered tho protest, brought forward no evidenco in support of tho charge, beyond mere suppositions, and tho inquiry was not pursued. Miss Abbott, therefore still survives to add moro loaves to her already heavy crown of laurels.