SPRING SHOW

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 302, 19 November 1935, Page 8

SPRING SHOW

EFFECT OF WEATHER.

COSTS ASSOCIATION £2OO.

“Although the gate receipts show an increase of £lO4 over the previous year, the amount falls far short of what it would have been had the weather been more favourable. It rained on the first and second days and was somewhat threatening in the early morning of the third day. Heavy slips in tile Gorge completely blocked that thoroughfare to ad traffic, which, together with the Levin-Foxton highway being under water, must have affected the attendance to a considerable extent. I estimate that as a consequence we lost at least £200.”

This report was submitted to a meeting of the general committee of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association to-day by the chief gate steward for the Spring Show (Mr T. Hastings,), who stated that notwithstanding all these handicaps the Show was visited by 24,861 persons over the three day period, as compared with 25,080 in 1934. Cash admissions yielded £875 in 1933, £1055 in 1934, and £1159 this year.

“This year, an account of the vigorous campaign for membership, an additional £2OO will be received from this source above the figures fop last year, and as membership carries ticket privileges, this would naturally reduce the turnstile takings. The increased membership is plainly evident in the greater number of admissions per ticket shown in the follmvingl933 admissions per ticket were 7734; 1934 admissions per ticket were 8639; 1935 admissions per ticket were 10,345. The paid admissions were as follow: 2075 children at 6d; 1015 children at Is; 7984 adults at 2s; 3142 adults at Is, making the grand total for the three days, 24,861. “The new arrangement of having fixed car positions for members at 2s 6d for the currency of the Show proved a decided success and means an important advancement in parking which will be in great demand at all future Shows. Besides those occupying fixed positions, 737 cars were paid for during the three days, being an increase of 135 over last year’s figures. Mr V. Crichton, who kindly took charge of the parking, carried out the job well. “The charges for both stands were Is throughout the Show, but with the reduction for the members’ stand, failed to reach last year’s total of £4B 0s 6d. This year’s stands only realised £35 12s.

“The increase of sixpence on adults’ admission during the day sessions was certainly not very popular with some of the people, but of course against this it must be borne in mind that on every car parked on the permanent positions a reduction of sixpence was made. The cost of admission to the members’ stand was reduced to the public from 2s to Is and there were no internal charges. Once admitted at the gates, the public were free to go where they eliose. “In conclusion, I wish to place on record my very high appreciation of the good work of the gate staff under very trying circumstances, at times, and I look forward to the time when it will be possible to have some shelter at the gates for men who have to face their work in net and stormy weather.”

Appreciation of the services of Mr Hastings as gate steward, a'nd thanks for his report, were voiced in a resolution carried on the motion of Mr T. R. Hodder. A vote of thanks was also accorded Mr Crichton, the Manawatu Automobile Association’s service officer, for his assistance in the parking of cars.