NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 125, 23 November 1923, Page 8

NELSON NEWS

THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW

(FKOJC OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

NELSON, 22nd November.

The Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Show, held on Wednesday at Richmond Park, was a great success in every way. The greatest factor contributing to that success was the beautiful day succeeding Tuesday's somewhat boisterous weather and a cloudy outlook early on Wednesday morning. Tha train service was reduced for some reason, but the excellent motor service from the city to Richmond was able to accommodate the large number of visitors travelling, in addition to those who went by train. Private cars from all parte were parked on the show ground in hundreds, also many horse-drawn vehicles. The attendance indicated the increasing popularity of the outing. The exhibits in all classes were mostly of a high standard. There was a very large number of-' competitors in the light horse class, and the judge, Mr. W. Cooper, of Masterum, had his time fully occupied. In the cattle competition a big advance in the Jersey class was undoubtedly made, Mr. E. D. M'Lennan, of Pakapura, expressing his high appreciation of the standard attained. Mr. E. Smallbone, of Richmond, won the gold cup on points, beating Mr. Jas. Hunt (Mayor of Richmond), a well-known breeder of this stock, by two points. In other cattle exhibits Mr. F. W. Fairey secured many prizes. His entries were 100, and his sheep entries numbered about fifty. The fat lambs shown, in the opinion of the judge, Mr. J. Webb, of Taihape, were of a high quality, and the best he had seen. Other live stock well represented were pigs, dogs, and poultry, and the number of entries of draught horses exceeded those of last year by 26, the total number being 77. Special mention should be made of the domestic produce exhibits. For quality and variety this department was a show in itself. It has been gaid that the standard of comfort is higher in Nelson than in any part of the Dominion, and if the edibles tabled under domestic produce class is any criterion the truth of the statement is not likely to be questioned.

A considerable amount of work from the primary and technical schools was also shown, and indicates that the youth of the province are holding their own. Farm produce, strange to say, was the only class not so well represented as in former years. Apples, though of good quality, were only shown by - two exhibitors.

The activity and enterprise of Nelson's business people was indicated by the large number of firms who had stands and made excellent display of their goods, the motor trade being particularly noticeable in this respect. Good business is reported in this line of late. The entertainment of the crowd was well catered for by numerous sideshows and vendors of small lines. The catering in refreshments gave every satisfaction, and good music was dispensed by the Nelson Silver Band. ; The com r mittee and officials .of the show are to be congratulated on their management and the success that attended their efforts.- At midday the show was officially opened by Mr. H. Atmore, M.P. Other short speeches were made by the president of the show (Mr. Geo. Macmahon>and Mr. R. P. Hudson, M.P. for Motueka.

STREET-WIDENING MATTER.

In reply to. a, deputation of the City Council recently for the exemption«of Selwyn place (about 23 feet in width) from the provisions of the street-widen-ing act, the Hon. J.. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, declined to grant the request. As a sequel to this Messrs. A. R. Dyson and Samuel, representing the parish of Christ Church trustees, waited on the City Council on Tuesday at a special meeting and submitted an offer from the trustees (of land on the southern side of Selwyn place) to sell the council a strip 21ft Bin fronting Collingwood street and 132 ft to Selwyn place, for £200; as an alternative the trustees would dedicate the area and the council would have to pay for it at a rate to be determined by assessors. The trustees were cutting up the block for building purposes, and since doing so, owing to the action of the council in declining to widen the street and the delay consequent, had lost £75. Mr. Dyson said he was only empowered to offer for one trust. The bowling green area was held' by another trust. Previously the two trusts had offered the whole frontage of about 4 chains to Selwyn place, 17ft 4in to Collingwood street, for £300. Mr. Samuel explained that 21ft Bin was now offered instead of 17ft 4in to provide 33ft from the centre of the present width, which was 22ft Bin. The council went into committee, and the City Engineer,. Mr. Littlejohn, showed that all that was required was the 17ft 4in to make the street 40ft wide, and a claim could be made sgainst the land-owners on the other side for betterment. The council resolved to offer a sum of £300 to the two trusts jointly for a strip 17ft 4in wide from Collingwood street to Sussex street. The trustees only gave the council time till next day to decide the matter, failing a decision they would dedicate.