WINTER SHOW

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4811, 17 July 1939, Page 5

WINTER SHOW

NEED FOR MORE MEMBERS. NEXT YEAR'S DATES FIXED. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE SHOW. The general executive of the Te Kuiti and District Winter Show Association met in the Municipal Hall on Saturday evening for the first time since the exhibition a fortnight ago. There was an attendance of about 30 members.

The object of the meeting was to receive suggestions, objections or complaints resulting from the Show, so that they might be borne in mind for forthcoming exhibitions.

The president, Mr. C. M. Wright, said that several complaints had been received, but in practically every case these had been in relation to prize money, and would not have been made had the exhibitors read the conditions in the schedule, which laid it down that the number of exhibitors limited the prize money paid out. The organisation of the Show could, he suggested, receive more attention during the recess period. The schedule could be revised if that were deemed necessary in the light of the recent Show, the Show dates would have to be fixed, and a questionnaire might be forwarded to the general executive, including the country members, to secure suggestions for improvements to the Show and for engendering greater interest among the country members.

Mr. K. L. Eden explained the position of the Poultry Club in its relation to the Show Association, and said that he would bring matters raised by members to the notice of the Poultry Club. Mr. K. W. Low suggested that the layout of the Show be altered, the walls to be used for the exhibits and the industrial stalls to the situated on the inside of the alleyways. Mr. Mcßae suggested that an inquiry be made as to the cost of providing shelters for the motor exhibits at shows, these to be connected with the main building. He believed that if proper provision could be made, the number of cars exhibited would greatly increase, and the Show could recoup itself for its outlay.

Need for Greater Membership.

Mr. Pettigrew held that the work of the Show warranted every farmer of the district becoming a member of the Association. At Taumarunui the membership was 400, compared with 100 in Te Kuiti. The question was not one of added revenue to the Association, but a member was likely to display and arouse greater interest in the Show.

Mr. Pettigrew also made a suggestion, endorsed by Messrs. Jas. Henderson, H. C. Douglas, Saville and others, that the Association make an earnest effort to arrange for more attractions in the main hall, such as the school physical drill display, for future shows.

Mr. Saville's suggestion was that two or three concerts be run during the year so that sufficient money could be raised to pemit the competitions to be held in the main hall. Though stage and other difficulties were, mentioned as operating against this scheme, this proposal was felt to be worthy of further consideration. Mr. Pettigrew's suggestion that an effort should be made to gain more financial members of the Association was universally endorsed, and a general discussion ensued as to how this could be brought about. Mr. Pankhurst said that Mr. Pettigrew had found the crux of the position so far as the Show was concerned. If from 250 to 300 members could be enrolled, the stability of the Show could be ensured.

Mr. Wright, agreeing with this, said that though every member was determined that the Show should remain primarily an agricultural fixture, it did not have a sufficient number of farmers as members. The last thing that he wanted to see was the Show evolve into an industrial exhibition, as had so many other fixtures, and he felt that the farming community would be ready to give their support if a suitable method of bringing the question to their notice could be devised.

The method of approach in the securing of members was then discussed, the canvassing of farmers at stock sales and the securing of members through the country members of the general executive being two projects that found much favour. Mr. Pettigrew held that if the right men were elected to the general executive and the sales canvassed, the job would be done. He stated his willingness to bring the matter to the notice of the members of the Ratepayers' Association, and in other ways to do what he could in his district.

The discussion closed with the decision to institute a drive for membership as soon as was practicable.

Mrs. Jordan said that the country women had supported the Show in splendid fashion, members of the W.D.F.U. in particular showing the greatest interest. There had been a certain amount of misapprehension regarding prize money, but this question was fully explained by the conditions as laid down in the schedule. Mrs. Jordan also suggested that the coloured prize ticket system be discontinued in favour of tickets with a white background, thus permitting the names of winners to be more easily read.

Dates for 1940 Fixture.

The meeting then considered the question of the date of next year's Show. Advice was received that the New Plymouth Exhibition was to be held on the week ending June 22, Whangarei and Taumarunui on the week ending June 29. This year, because of the Te Kuiti date clashing with Whangarei and Hawera, the demand for side show space had been very poor.

A suggestion made by the president, Mr. Wright, that the Show should open on the Wednesday evening, instead of Thursday afternoon, found general favour. On Mr. H. C. Douglas's motion, it was decided that the next Show open on the evening of Wednesday, July 3, and continue until Saturday, July 6. This date, it is hoped, will not clash with any other fixture, and will induce sideshow men and others interested returing from the Whangarei fixture to visit Te Kuiti.