WAIRARAPA P. & A. SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1255, 11 October 1911, Page 8

WAIRARAPA P. & A. SOCIETY.

PROSPECTS FOR THE.COMING

SHOW-

Tho Wairarapa and East Coast P. and A. Society approaches its thirty-fourth annual fair with prospects which are most encouraging, both as regards its financial success and tho nninlicr of entries likely t'o bo received. One of tho most encouraging signs is the fact that the membership of tho society has largely increased of late, no fewer than fifty new members having been added to tho roll during the past' two months. Tho public also hayo conio to the support of tho society in an unprecedented manner, and contributors at Wellington, Masterl'on, ami Carterton ' liavo in almost every instance largely increased tho amounts of their do-, nations.

Tho visiting public will appreciate many improvements which have been made- in the appointments of tho showgrounds during tho year. The most important improvement from a spectacular point of view is tho lengthening of the oval. Public . and competitprs aliko will feel tho benefit, of tho alteration which has been made, particularly with regard to jumping events.. Mere scope is now provided for erecting the hurdles, with the result that tho events will be attended ivilh greater'safety to tho contestants, and the enlarged circumference of the.oval will enable a greater number of the public tj witness the events. Judging will also ba greatly facilitated, tho oval now beting largo enough for the jydge of draughts and both judges of light horses to adjudicate simultaneously without clashing. In tho earlier days of the association's history, the fat cattle olasses were a very important feature of. tho show, there lining particularly heavy exhibit's from the Lower "Valley. Since lirany of the big estates have been subdivided for close settlement'the en tries in theso classes hiivo fallen off every considerably, and the largo 'number of pens which "were erected to accommodate thorn are no longer required.' The committee has turned them to good, account by taking out the frontsand converting ' them'into' rough stuHs for draught horses. Tho safety of these valuable animals is now much better provided for, and owners will doubtless not be lacking in approval. ..Separate judging rings "have been erected for purebred Shorthorn, Holstein, Jersey, and' Ayrshire cattle,'and the judges of these' classes will now bo able to carry, out their oiterous duties under much less trying circumstances than formerly. It is expected that Ayrshire cattle will bo one of the most important sections of the show, the special attraction being the championships for bull " and cow which havo been allotted to' the society by the New Zealand Ayrshire Breeders' Association. In consequence of this special attraction tho society has considerably increased the prize money in tho olasses which arc affected. It is expected that prominent breeders throughout tho Dominion who have never previously shown in the Wairarapa district will be represented. Tho classes will"undoubtedly constitute a record in number and quality of exhibits, and should provide a valuable object lesson to dairy farmers i.i the district. '

The Wellington ' Racing "Club has generqiisly increased, its, donation to the society i'o .£l2 10s. This money is donated to supplement .-prizes for events calculated to encourage the breeding of horses. Tho donors leave it to the discretion of the society to decide wWch .division-shall receive the extra prize-money, and'the committee has decided to allot it to remount classes. '

The secretary of the society (Mr. H. S. Moss) recently negotiated .very successfully with the Railway Department with reference to improving the arrangements for stock trains, and these are noy.most conveniently arranged. Trains " 'of twenty trucks each will Arrive from Hawke's Baj and Manawatu districts on the Monday Jnd Tuesday - before*"the show, returning % the'Trfday. TheVconyenience of exhibitors from' the' districts mentioned could not be better served. An effort is now being -iuado 'to secure an alteration to the time-tablo of t'lio down train from tho Bush district on People's Day. A request has been made that the train should he -timed to- arrive afc'.ll-a.m. (two hoars earlier fhaji; previously), and if this alteration is secured,-it'is anticipated that- the attendance lvll' gr'eatrv benefit.

Entries for the show are already coming in freely. One of the largest so far is firm Mrs. J.' D. Or'mond, of_ Hawke's Bay, who is exhibiting largely in draught horses, and Romney and Lincoln sheep Special attention is being given te tho convenience of the public, and evor.v possible effort will be .made to make tho day's outing-an-ehjoynblo one oven to those Who'have *nV difect interest in pastoral matters. The society is aiming at securing a record attendance-on People's Day, v when! his Excellency; " Lord Islington (who takes a keen interest in agricultural and pastoral pursuits), will be present.