THE WINTER SHOW

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 121, 16 February 1926, Page 8

THE WINTER SHOW

JULY DATES MENTIONED LIVE STOCK SECTION The Wellington Show Association met in the city last evening, Mr. G. Mitchell presiding. In discussing the date for the commencement of the next show, Mr. Mitchell said the association did not wish to clash or interfere with the fixtures of the country shows. "We have found out that the Hawera show is being held from June 30 to July 7. For that reason we do not wish to fix on those dates in July.” Mr. A. Sando said that it would not be right to make dates that would draw people from the countiy, from their own shops. At the same time some arrangement might be made with districts in _ the country over the matter. It was decided that the secretary should get in touch with various district show associations, and that tho show be held from July 10 to July 24,, subject to the executive’s approval.’ Referring to the art union report it was decided that the art union bo drawn on August 31. There would be 43 prizes, to the total value of £5OO. ■.. Speaking of the catalogues for tho coming show, Mr. Sando said that the exhibits were so well marked last year that it might not be necessary to have catalogues. "Last year," he continued, "the public patronised the catalogues very poorly indeed."

Live Stock Question. Mr. Nimmo said that when in the country he had been told that our live stock part of the show was a joke. "They only sent their cattle down'to be fed at the expense of the Wellington show. I was told," he added, "As space was short I suggest that the live stock be omitted from the next show altogether. After all, the live stock exhibits were not very well patronised by the ■public last year. "If we can take steps to improve our cattle show it will be of great educational value," said Mr. S. Wilson in reply. "I therefore suggest that instead of doing away with tho live stock section it be fostered. I think that all the townspeople should be educated -’regarding cattle. There is no doubt that it should bo improved. If this was the case then the public would -take more interest in the matter. Mr. Sando was of the same opinion

as Mr. Wilson. He urged the association not to do away with the live stock portion of the show until tho country people were communicated with. "When we have the big building,” he continued, "we must make n feature of live stock." Let us try to keep the country people with us, in that matter by all means, so that when we have our big building we can call it the Royal Show and make it the best and most popular in all New Zealand." Mr. Kallaugher said that live stock interested a great section of the public of New Zealand. He thought it should bo fostered for all it was worth. Mr. Mitchell pointed out that; tho original conception of tho Wellington ’Winter Show was to foster primary products and live j,tock. However, the show had gradually developed a’ong the lines of industry. "1 sincerely hope, gentlemen," he said, "that we are not going to lose touch with the original show as we planned at the commencement. Even If money has been lost on cattle, we must not make the matter a purely commercial concern, and neglect our purpose of educational value. For that reason I would suggest that we keep the live stock with us this year, and see how we get on. The sheep dog trials we must try and keep up at ;aJI events. Of course, the whole trouble is that we may not be able to get accommodation for the live stock, but we can try. I am looking forward to our having our own building in 18 months’ time, and then we can carry out out conception of a really great show, as Mr. Sando says. It was then decided that the question of live stock and horse jumping be held over until other centres had been communicated with. Sheep dog trials, however, met with support, and it was decided to include that item on the programme.