MANAWATU WINTER SHOW.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1906, Page 5

MANAWATU WINTER SHOW.

LARGE NUMBER OF ENTRIES. [By Telegraph.] (From Our Special Reporter). PALMERSTON, 18th June. Light rain came on early this evening after a fine day, and the sky at night looked very black and threatening for the fourth Winter Show of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, which opens to-morrow. Arrangements ate well forward. A hard working committee has organised things with that energy and enthusiasm for which Palmerston workers are noted. Great as was the success attained ir all departments of last year's show, present indications point to a display of surpassing excellence this year. There is a large increase of entries all round, and the totals reach 815, including 180 in dairy produce classes, 482 in the agricultural division, 111 in fat sheep and pigs, 22 in the hunters' and ponies' classes, and 20 in the milk-testing' contests. The steady growth of interest in the competitions has necessitated further extensions to the space accommodation, and 3000 square feet of space has been added to No. 3 Hall; leaving the whole of the very large main hall available for machinery only. The contest for first honours in the butter and cheese for export classes has become so keen that this year 164 entrants are in the field, as against 49 entries four years ago. A new feature at this year's show is a competition in fat stock, and there has been excellent patronage given by breeders to the new departure. The Manawatu Poultry Association holds its annual show in connection with the main feature of the week' 6 carnival, and 1164 entries have been received. TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. PALMERSTON, This Day. Ram set in from the west this morning early, and all th© morning rain and sun alternated. There are very few people in town so far. Out of, respect to the memory of tho lato Premier it was decided not to have any* formal opening of the show at noon to-day. For the first time the Auckland A. and P. Association is represented by two of its officials — Messrs. Rutherford and Edwin Hall. The executive has decided to close for half an hour on Thursday afternoon as a mark of respect to Mr. Seddon, but will open again at night. The machinery hall is as interesting as ever, and everything is ready for operations. Great interest centres in the test of the milking machines. Mr. and Mrs. Godber, of Wellington are judging the home industries. Messrs." Slack Bros. (Palmeraton) won j the Royal Horticultural Society's trophy for the best collection of vegetables, and also Mr. Luxford's 25-guinea challenge shield for a collection of farm roots.