EGMONT SHOW

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 3 December 1927, Page 7

EGMONT SHOW

IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED. MEETING OF STEWARDS. Various suggestions for effecting improvements at future shows to be held, under the auspices of the Eginont Agricultural and Pastoral Association were put forward at- a general meeting of stewards called j'or the purpose and held in the committee room at Hawera to-day. The president (Mr. S.' C. Tonks) occupied the chair, and there were also present Messrs. W. McL’Dowie, E. W. Allen, D. Crocker, A. Lankow, G. W. Stubbs, F. Hoskin, F. Gillanders, H. J. Webber, T. J. Salmon, R. McCay, J. Forbes, J. Kerrisk, J. Thomlinson, X. Crocker and J. Ni col son.

With reference- to the sheep section, the president proposed that in the open classes all exhibits should be shown in wool. If it was decided that they should be so shown it would be found that a ewe not shorn as a lamb would have a great advantage over one that had been shorn as a lamb. He therefore suggested that in the eweunder 18 months claiss the entry should state whether or not the animal had been shorn as a lamb. HORSE CLASSES. Referring to the light harness section, Mr. D. Crocker suggested that in order to expedite competition® the pony gig classes should be included. The president agreed that the proposal was feasible and would help to keep the -competitions moving. Mr. D. Crocker also said that closer supervision should he exercised in the pony classes. One competitor who had previously won a first and a second had been allowed to enter the consolation class, and had gained an award in that class. There had also been some discrepancy in the heights of some of the entries. A suggestion made bv Mr E. W. Allen that the testing stand for the height- of horses shoud he carefully inspected before the show to ensure its accuracy was also approvedAs an addition to the spring carters’ section. Mr N. Crocker recommended a. class for a- pair of waggon horses, to be shown as a pair without waggon, weight and conditions to he arranged.

EIJMINATING PR OTESTS. Mr J. Kecrisk made reference to the fact that oil the two previous shows, owing to conditions not having been complied with, protests had been entered after the award in the competition for the Clydesdale Horse Society’s medal awarded the best two-year-old on yearling colt- or fillv, bred by the exhibitor, "and entered in the stud book, and which had not previously ison a medal. At this year’s show it had aso been found necessary to disqualify tlie animal which first secured cue award, as it had not been bred by the exhibitor. He suggested that in order to avoid future trouble, the entries should be handed 'to the -secretary of the Clydesdale Society (Mr R. McCay).

Mr Me Cay said the -exhibitors should be acquainted fully with the conditions ?,nd if they gave proper attention to the entry form there would be ro trouble in the matter. The president intimated that the matter would be kept in view for future shows. “There seemed to he more amateurs than bulls there,” said Mr J. Nicholson in expressing objection to the practice of “amateur judges,” who had entered the ring during the, judging of the dairy bull class and other cattle classes. The president agreed that those other than the judge and authorised' persons shoud not be allowed to enter the iudging rings. He said the matter would receive attention at the next tsliow. BRIGHTENING COMPETITIONS. “Couldn’t we stagpi some side: > how attraction -such as the buckjumping contests at Stratford,” said Mr E. W. Allen, who urged that some moans be adopted of brightening the nng competitions.

Tli© president isaid the Stratford •Show officials were to be congratulated on the extra attractions given M the routine events. He concurred in the opinion that some such novel events which would help in providing interest to spectators was highly desirable-

Ti l ci3e that in Auckland ■‘hey are trying whippet racing. Why not have a cut at that?” inquired Mr J. 'lnonv I i niso n.

Replying to Mr J. Forbes, the president said that that was a chance of the motor gymkhana, which had to be postponed at the show, would be held in March.

On the mot ion of ’Mr Forbes, seconded by Mr D. Crocker, the committee was recommended to consider organising a. gymkhana in March. With further reference to this, Mr N. Crocker suggested that fire brigade events should be 'included. The space and side-show stewards, Messrs F. Gillamlers and iS. Blake, presented a report in which it was suggested that the home industries exhibits should be confined to one end of the building, for preference at the end next the booth. This would enable all the space for letting as selling stalls to be kept together when it would be much easier for the space stewards to deal with applicants. They recommended that the merry-go-round and ehair-o-plaue be moved to the far end of the side show space. With the present arrangement the two forms of amusement which were by far the most attractive were at the people’s end of the space. Every other side-show man wished to get as near these two attractions as possible and consequently a good deal of bickering arose. If, however, the two main features were placed at the other end of the show space ground the smaller men would be given a better elianee of support. To obviate difficulty in the collection of ground fees it was suggested that payment should be asked when the space was allotted and that the three Taranaki show associations should be asked to combine in the matter.

The demand for implement space was greater than for many years and if it was to continue the committee should consider the rearrangement of the area. <r We desire to thank exhibitors and showmen for their kind co-operation in accepting the space allotted with good feeling,” concluded the space stewards reports. “I have to thank you for your attendance and suggestions, which will receive the careful consideration of the general committee,” said the president at the conclusion of the meeting.