NATIONAL IDEALS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 110, 6 November 1919, Page 11

NATIONAL IDEALS

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SHOW

THIRTY-FOUR YEARS* PROGRESS

National in ideals and national in character are terms which have been applied by The Post to the' Palmerston Winter Show, and they are equally appropriate when applied to the Spring Show. The Spring Show is held, at the beginning of November each year, and that which opened yesterday was the thirty-fourth. It reflected an optimistic spirit among the people, and in many ways was in striking contrast to the more or less gloomy shows of wartroubled times. Those who are able to look back on the history of the association marvel at the progress which has been made since that first meeting of a. few enthusiasts held in the Commercial Hotel away back in 1886. They recall interestingly the first Show with its limited entries and its still more limited attendance of the general public. They never doubted that the Show. would ultimately be a success, nor did they imagine that some day well within the space of two score years it would hold a premier position, famed throughout both islands. Here, for the purpose of comparison with the presentday Show," it is fitting to include The Post's report of the first Show, held on 19th November, 1886. It was as follows—a Press Association message,* under the date line 20th November: "The first Show of the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held" yesterday, was a splendid success. The exhibits were numeroas and of first-class quality. From all parts of the Coast the attendance was over 2000, about £120 being taken at the gate, which will leave the society a surplus of over £1(50, after paying every liaibility Mr. Barker's Hippocampus took champion prize in thoroughbreds and Prince Victor champion prize in draught stallions. Mr. A. A. Fantham secured most points in cattle, Mr. R. Hamilton most in Lincoln sheep, Mr. R. Cobb most in Ronineys. Mr. M. Prendergast took theNew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency's prize for most points in freezing sheep." AID PROM THE RAILWAYS. Twenty-five thousand people was the record attendance established just before the war cast its shadow, and the association appeared to be entering upon a new era of prosperity. Crcwds came from all over the province, assisted by a Railway Department more sympathetic •then that it appears to be now. By that remark it is not intended to detract, in any way from the valuable aid which the Department has always extended to agricultural shows in general. It is fully recognised that the railways have been seriously hampered, and it is a matter to be thankful for that tho more important concessions were not withdrawn during the period of stress., The Palmerston Spring Show is more than a farmers' Show; it has features of real interest to every section of the community, young and old alike. MODERN APPOINTMENTS. Primarily the Spring Show is a stock Show, and each year provides a memor,able exhibition of high quality sheep, cattle, and pigs. These are shown under the best possible conditions, and in this connection most other associations in New Zealand have a, great deal to learn from Palmerston North. The- great cattle pavilion,' erected at a. cost of over £4000, covers an area of nearly two acres, and it is capable of housing under cover 500 head of cattle. It is stated that' there is no equal to this pavilion anywhere in New Zealand or Australia, and maybe there-is nothing, better in the world. Tho pavilion was erected as a result of special donations by the members of the association, who readily provided the money, at the instance of Mr. E. 'Short, the well-known Hereford and Romney breeder, Who joined the committee in 1912 and was elected president of the association two years, later Mr. Short's scheme also included.a general improvement of the grounds, but this portion of the programme has not yet been "completed and

is dependent on several things. It will be completed as soon as opportunity offers.

WHEELER MEMORIAL FOR SHEEP. If the cattle are well housed, so are the sheep. On the death of the late Mr. George Wheeler a voluntary subscription was taken up among the members for the purpose of erecting a memorial which would fittingly mark his valuable services to the association and to ithe Dominion generally as a breeder of Hereford cattle and Romney sheep. The memorial took the form of a covered sheep pavilion, erected in front of the cattle pavilion, and inscribed, " Wheeler Memorial." The sheep pavilion provides ample shelter, ah! enables the pnbjic — that small portion of it which takes an active interest in sheep:—to view the animals under the most comfortable conditions. The manner in which the members subscribed for both objects, and for many other objects in addition, is convincing proof that they have the interests of the association at heart and are keen to see it go ahead until it reaches a more or less unassailable position, y