SPRING SHOW

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 77, 26 February 1930, Page 2

SPRING SHOW

SUBSTANTIAL PROFIT SHOWN. DISCUSSION BY COMMITTEE. Matters appertaining to the Spring Show of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association were discussed at the monthly meeting of the general committee yesterday, when a financial statement was submitted dealing with the last exhibition, and reference was made to the decrease in the stock entries. In submitting a pro forma statement on the last Spring Show, the treasurer (Mr T. R. Hodder) stated that the allocation of prize money and trophies had accounted for £1714 18s 4d, compared with £1738 8s lid in 1927. No comparison had been made with 1928 because of the Royal Show fixture. Luncheon and judges were responsible for an expenditure of £2Ol 14s, compared with £237 10s 8d in 1927. General expenses were £375 15s Bd. an increase of £39, added the treasurer, but £ll2 was accounted for in non-recurring charges. Labour cost £457 19s and advertising £l4O 12s. There was an estimated profit of £IOO6 ss, which must be considered very satisfactory. Gates and turnstiles netted £1779 9s lOd, an increase of £448, mainly due to the introduction of steer riding on the first day. THE STOCK EXHIBITS.

“Entry fees showed a decrease of £92,” said Mr Hodder. “I think that we ought to take that to heart. We have to do something to secure larger entries of stock exhibits. We have shown a substantial profit on the fixture. I hope that we shall retain some of it. When we secure a balance wo seem to dissipate it very quickly. We must reduce our liabilities instead of going in for extensive capital improvement. The increase in the bank rate will absorb quite a fair sum. The cost of the steer riding competition was £267 7s, outside of office expenses. There was an increase of £461 13s in the first day s takings, so that it might be said the profits paid for the yards erected. “I think that this association ought to be a little more diplomatic in dealing with complaints, from exhibitors, as they are one of its principal assets,” commented Mr J. C. Carter. “There seem to be quite a number of complaints coming forward from time to time. I don’t know what the cause of it is, but we ought to pacify them.” “The figures given only emphasise what I said in the stewards’ statement,” said Mr M. A. Eliott. “We had the poorest entry of stock for manv years and there was almost a record attendance of the public. That indicates that 75 per cent of tire people do not go there to see the stock, at all. but merely the sideshows and ring events. It is not satisfactory from our point of view of aiming at one of the best shows for live stock.” In order to improve the stock entries Mr Hodder moved that, as soon as the schedules are issued for the next Spring Show, members of the committee be appointed to assist the secretary in securing entries for all the stock classes. It would increise interest and the entries tenfold. Mr Carter seconded the motion. The view was expressed that some of the members of the association had themselves been lacking. It was stated that some stud breeders had not shown at all. The show should have their assistance. . . Mr J. A. Mitchell voiced the opinion that the committee might put on two judges to every class, with an umpire, to assure every satisfaction to breeders. It would be well worth the extra expense involved, he considered. MORE ENTHUSL4SM WANTED. Mr R. McDonald said that the committees of other shows put a great deal more enthusiasm into their work. From the point of view of popularity the Manawatu Show should be well in advance of the surrounding fixtures, but they did ' not seem to be going ahead like others. • The chairman (Mr J. Linklater, M.P.) commented that Mr Hodder’s suggestion should infuse more enthusiasm into the work. Mr J. A. Russell urged the association to enlist the support of the breeding societies for a canvass of their members.

“The Palmerston North Show seems to be losing the position it once held in regard to stock,” said Mr A. Guy. He thought it lamentable that entries were so few for the last fixture. The members of the committee were there t| encourage the breeding of Btock. Ho supported the resolution, but thought it did not go far enough. Stewards should be appointed, to secure entries, representative of the different breeds. “It would surprise many of you to know that I an! a Jersey breeder,” added Mr Guy. The chairman: Do you show ?. Mr Guy: No. (Laughter). I have never been asked to, except by tho secretary. I am. interested in the Jersey breed, and have offered to provide a stand at my own expense at the next Winter Show. I would like to see the Jerseys put on an exhibition at the next Spring Show like they are in America. The suggestion was advanced that each steward should be responsible for entries in his particular, section. “I think that both matters should go hand in hand,” said Mr Carter. “We can get some customers, but we cannot always keep them. Let us put our house in order and see that every facility is given to exhibitors.” Tho motion proposed by Mr Hodder was carried. PENS FOR PIGS. The Manawiatu-Oroua branch of the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association advised that it desired to make the following recommendations to the committee: — _ (a) That the special pork and bacon classes be revised before the next Spring Show, and that extra pork and bacon classes be included in tho schedule. . ~ , (b) That the pig pens would be much improved by grating the floors. This is a very necessary undertaking from the point of view of all those interested in tho section. It should pay for itself in a very, few years as the pigs could be kept dry .and clean with probably half the straw which is now used. It was pointed out that at present boars of all ages were washed and put into their pens clean, only to cover themselves with dust and dirt which they rooted from the pens. It was trusted that the _ matters would be given oireful consideration, as they would probably lead to larger and better exhibitions. The committee decided to consider the matter. PRIZE MONEY.

The chairman subsequently produced a letter from several well-known breeders, who voiced a protest against the association’s decision that there should be no first prize where there was no competition. They pointed out that one breeder who was the only exhibitor in his particular class had received only half the prize money. It was suggested that, where there was only one exhibitor, he should receive notification of the fact, > in order that Ee: could -decide whether it was worth exhibiting.* . .. . ~ In accordance with notice of motion

previously given, Mr Linklater moved that the show rule “No competition no first prize,” be -abolished so far as the stock classes were concerned. Mr Hodder seconded and the motion was carried.