The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1933. THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE WINTER SHOW.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11949, 20 May 1933, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1933. THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE WINTER SHOW.

Any pro-jock ilia I has for its objective the progress of the district deserves every encohragbhient and, from this viewpoint, the Winter Show liars proved fully entitled to the solid support which it has been accorded by tins public. Indeed,-' the increasing entries for the fixture, and the splendid' attendances this year "'should bid fair to constitute a dual record. From what was at first an exhibition of purely rural exhibits, held out of town, tho Winter Show has progressed by leaps and bounds, until now it is fully representative of the whole district—town and country. From an educational point of view', tho show is invaluable. Residents of the town must be amazed at tlic productivity of the wonderfully rich soil of this district, in which so many varieties of vegetables, fruits and fa cm products can ho grown to perfection. On. their part, country patrons see much , in tho shape of handicrafts and arts, and of new devices to compensate them for their attendance. Thus each section of the community! is enriched in knowledge. But one weakness in connection with the exposition—and that a

major on<v-is the awkwardness, of its location, and''also the lack o’f adequate accommodation. The energetic committee has utilised all means in 'its! power ; to.- make-, the. dost of-every foot of space; yet a much larger building must bo procured. The destruction of - tho Garrison Hall was a heavy blow to the Winter Show Association but, even previous to that disastrous fire, that spacious structure had -'become too small for all requirements. With considerably loss space, therefore, and entries increasing every year, it is easy to imagine that those in charge arc now becoming considerably perturbed'. In towns much larger than Gisborne the harbour goods sheds have been utilised for Winter Shows, with outstanding' success, and negotiations in the direction of nitilisino- the big structures on the Haiti wharves might well be entered into before tho fixturo comes along next year. Both the Harbor Board and tho shipping companies, the two factors interested are, no doubt, very sympathetic toward tho aims and. objects of the association, and there appears little reason to doubt keen support from, both organisations. Temporary inconvenience in the work-, ing of the sheds might result, hut the larger viewpoint of the progress of the district would undoubtedly ensure favourable consideration for such a proposal. With the present limited accommodation both for exhibitors and the public, ihe association has, it will be agreed, performed wonderful work again this year. It is plain, however, that the Grey Street location cannot he conveniently used next year if the entries and public interest continue to increase, as appears evident at- present. The association, therefore, is faced with two alternatives—it must either be content with tho present restricted facilities, in which event.the enthusia.sm of exhibitors and the public will not increase, or it must decide upon a new location. With the present combination of country residents and business men in control of “lie association, one feels intuitively that there is only one answer to this problem.