Helping to Make Brighter Shows

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6833, 14 April 1932, Page 8

Helping to Make Brighter Shows

CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE CO-OPERATES WITH A. AND P. ASSOCIATION Mr. V. T. Dibble presided over a meeting of the Citizens’ Show Committee held last evening. Tho Manawntu A. and P. Association replied to several suggestions put forward by the committee. Best thanks were tendered for excellent work done by tho Citizens’ Committee and tho loyal spirit revealed. It was agreed that the promoting and maintaining of tho goodwill between the business community and the A. and P. Association w r as one of the most important ways in which the Citizens’ Comn'uttee could prove of benciit. The president (Mr. L. B. Wall) would assist a member of tho Citizens’ Committee in making a canvass of the city, and Mr. D. Dickie was suggested. Discussing the matter, the committee thought the undertaking too big a one for two men and it was agreed to split up the town into areas, several members offering their services for the, purpose,

Space Charges As regards spaco charges,. the A. and P. Association stated that it had been decided that these shall be 3d per square foot for motor cars, 4d for working machinery, (id, 8d and 9d for trado exhibits and 1/-, 1/3 and 1/C for travelling traders. In respect of continuous stands, it had been ap ecd to let these for two years at the present rate with the option of renewing for a further threo years at a rate to bo reviewed. Tenants, however, must take the stands for both shows of the year. As regards the suggestion that the Associaion should negotiate with the motor traders, that could'be a matter the canvassers could look into whilo working amongst the business men of the city.

Mr. J. E. Hughes placed beforo the meeting a largo plan of the layout of the two main halls, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. A report that the space had been almost all booked up was received with satisfaction.

Mr. G. Watchorn asked the reason for charging a penny extra per square foot for corner stands, and it was explained that such stands provided exhibitors with double selling frontage and were largely sought after. The A. and P. Association advised that circulars would bo sent to various sources from which special exhibits of interest might be obtained. Tho P. and T. Department would be lending several sets of New Zealand stamps which will bo staged with the Manawatu Art Society’s exhibition of pictures. Mr. Eliott said an endeavour was to be made to secure from Wellington some of tho exhibits used in connection .with wool week. Tho A. and P. Association advised that it had elected a committee to work with the sub-committeo of the Citizens’ Show organisation to consider tho general layout of exhibits. It was also reported that an organiser would probably be appointed to assist in the preparations for the Winter Show.

Wood chopping and dog trials had been arranged for and tho Y.M.C.A. was to be approached in regard to a display. Tho Association accepted with thanks the suggestion of a parade of decorated vehicles, and had decided to adopt same. In respect of refreshments, the A. and P. Association advisee’ that the problem had been a troublesome one for a long time. However, officials of the Association would be waiting on tho .terer iu an endeavour to secure a better standard.

Entertainments Touching on the matter of entertainment, the Association would find material for tho erection of a stadium, tho Citizens Committee having offered to do tho work. Mr. H. E. Townsend: We’ll erect it. Mr. Eliott said Mr. Townsend had offered to meet the Association’s

caretaker and go into the question of plans. Mr. Watcliorn stated that the Wrestling and Boxing Associations wero always ready to co-operate and put on displays. A sub-committeo consisting of Colonel Whyte, Messrs. Watchorn, Wimsett, Woods, Larcomb, and Mowlem was set up to confer with a representative of tho A. and P. Association and arrango the entertainment programme. Tho Association advised that admission charges had been reduced to 1/and no further reduction could be made especially in view of the reduction in space charges. Closing of Shops

It was hoped the Citizens’ Committee would throw its whole weight into tho matter of getting business people to close on two half days. Lack of unanimity on tho part of tho business people in tho matter of closing, had frustrated the Association’s efforts in the past. Mr. Hopwood reported that a canvass had revealed that the committee could not get very far. There were so many small traders who felt that they could not close up on show days. However, if the show was made attractive, the town would soon bo emptied.

School Displays In connection with the children’s sections at the Show, the Headmasters’ Association had recommended: (1) The abolition of entrance fees; (2) Merit cards instead of monetary prizes; (3) The publication of tho children’s schedule earlier; (-1) That the judge of drawing be a person more in touch with modern requirements of drawing in schools (Mr. L. J. Watkin was proposed); (5) The appointment of Mr. J. Galland as teachers’ nomineco to help the Association’s stewards. The oiler of a shield was appreciated, but tho headmasters opposed prizes other than merit cards. • Tho recommendations met with the approval of the Citizens’ Committee, and they are to bo sent forward to the A. and P, Association.

Assistance in securing more members was appealed for by tho A. and I’. Association, and promised by the committee. Mr. J. Carter urged that every effort should bo made to make tho Spring Show, which would .o the 1932 Koyal Show, an exceptionally good one, and so encourage the Royal Society to hold all its North Island Eoyal events in Palmerston North. Mr. D. Buchanan spoke in similar vein, stating that the value of a Eoyal Show in the Manawatu was inestimable

Tho congratulations of tho committee were extended to Mr. M. A. . ott on his election as president of the A. and P. Association for tho ensuing year. Appreciation of tho manner in which the A. and P. Association had accepted the suggestions of tho Citizens’ Committee was voiced, and a letter is to be forwarded to tho retiring president (Mr. L. B. Wall) thanking him for help given.