MANAWATU SHOW

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 61, 5 December 1928, Page 6

MANAWATU SHOW

ATTENDANCE AT LAST FIXTURE MEETING OF ASSOCIATION Palmerston North, December 4. ■ The Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association met this morning, Mr. J. Wall presiding. , The report on the gate receipts at the last show showed the takings for the whole show to be £1407, compared with £1309 for the corresponding fixture in 1927, £1276 in 1926, £llB5 in 1925, and £lBl3 in 1924. Last year, the business people closed their shops on two half days, stated the report: this year, only one half-holiday was observed. This, no doubt, affected the attendance on the third day. Then, again, there was, extremely wet weather on all three days; in fact, it could be classed as the worst weather show on record. On the other hand, for the first time, a spring show opened in the evenings. That had proved an undoubted success : in fact, had it not been for the night sessions, the association would have been down in its gate takings. The following comparative figures were given.— ■ ig2B . £ s. d. £ s. d. First day .. 37 15 0 68 5 0 Second day .. 492 15 3 564 1 9 Third day ... 779 7 9 775 3 9 , ’ 1309 IS 0 1407 10 6 Increase ; £97 12 6 The report estimated that there were 33,000 op the grounds during the three days and nights. The military tournament Was a very fine exhibition, but, due to the bad weather, the whippet racing did not come up to expectation. It was decided that the association go into the matter of holding steer-riding aqd any other kindred attractions for the next winter show and possibly the spring show. Accounts for the month ineluded the last show) amounted to £5449 Bs. 3d. Winter Show Dates.

The winter show will be held from June 18 to 22.

The Corriedale Sheep Society wrote suggesting that, in view of the small number of judges offering, young judges should be bracketed at the annual show with the more experienced, and should judge only at the smaller shows. A list of younger men could be forwardd. The assocation was in sympathy with the suggestion, and the senior judge will be asked to bring forward a junior judge with him, the junior to pay his own expenses. The New Zealand Ayrshire Breeders’ Association asked why the Ayrshire cow should be excluded from entering for the cattle competition for the Johnnie Walker Cup. Mr. J. Buchanan explained that as he was instrumental in the acquisition of the cup, and was a prominent Ayrshire exhibitor himself, he excluded Ayrshire cattle from the compettion. It was reported that an exhibitor had approached a judge following the last show suggesting that he had been “squared” for a horse event. The association decided that an apology be demanded, otherwise further action would be taken. It was felt that the judges should be protected.