SYDNEY SHOW

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 186, 9 May 1928, Page 5

SYDNEY SHOW

OBSERVATIONS OF MR.

MITCHELL

EXPENSE OF “TIN HARE” NOT WARRANTED

The manager of the Wellington Show Association. (Mr. G. Mitchell) was congratulated by the chairman (Mr. R. HNiiniuo) on his report on his visit to the recent Sydney Show, presented to the meeting of the association on Monday night. The report, stated that the district courts each covered an area of about -10 ft. by 30ft.. and embraced everything produced in the surrounding districts. The wool display exhibited in the agricultural section he considered to be very fine, and to exceed anything he had ever seen in New Zealand, lie suggested that if a feature were made of the Wairarapa court wool display it should equal the one he saw in Sydney. He could not find any one section or event, in the show that drew most people, the masses being drawn by its general excellence. The industrial section of the show was held in two halls totalling 10,000 square feet. Some of the produce and bacon stands were very good indeed, but none came up to the fine annual display by our local bacon company. A feature was made of working machinery and the manufacture of goods in progress. The manager considered. that the success of all such undertakings depended upon finance, the principal source ol which was the gate. This was. born out by the fact that the average of the Sydney Show gate takings over the last five years was £43.000. The success of the Royal Show in Sydney was due to the fact that it was held in the centre of a population, of over 1,000.000 people. He understood that, the Sydney .Royal Show did not detrimentally effect the smaller shows held in the surrounding districts. Summing up, Mr. Mitehell stated that he was of the. opinion that a summer show would eventually take place, under the association's control in Wellington, when grounds and facilities would permit. This in a few years might become the outstanding show of the Dominion. He was also convinced that by the experience of Sydney that the association’s site, although an excellent one, would have to be increased if the association s were to provide lor future development and expansion. Commenting on the report, the chairman said that the Sydney show was very popular with the business people of Sydney, and he was sure that the Wellington show would become popular with the business people here. Answering a question as to the popularity of “tin hare” racing and goat racing at the Sydney Royal Show, Mr. Mitchell said that the association would not be Justified in spending the £30,000 required to fit. up a “tin hare” race track. He said that be liked what he had seen of the sport in Sydney as a sport The chairman pointed out that, a firm already had a monopoly of tin hare racing in the Dominion.