Judges Make Awards

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 142, 18 June 1936, Page 4

Judges Make Awards

Official Opening by Mayor With a heavy easterly wind and heavy rain sweeping the whole of the district all Tuesday and into the early hours'of yesterday morning, the prospects for the opening day of the National Dairy Show were anything but bright. The weather clerk, however, had a surprise in store for not only did lie cause the rain to cease, but he also gradually dispersed the clouds till a brilliant sun shone down without interruption. The wind also vanished and the A. and P. Association was presented with as perfect a day as it could have wished for.

as perfect a day ag it could hav

Official Opening

Tho official opening of tho Show took place in tho afternoon, when Mr Jqs. Batchelar, president, in introducing tho Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford), commented upon tho favourable change in tho weather which, ho said, was very welcome to the association. Before calling, upon tho Mayor he had one or two things to say regarding the financial position of the association, and recalled the damago done by the hurricane of February last, which had added to the •difficulties of the organisation arising through the years of depression. The serious damage done by that memorable gale had given the finance committee of . tho association cause to ponder upon tho matter of finance and proposals were advanced for the disposal of the property and moving further afield. Doeisiou on this question had been deferred, and meanwhile a membership drive had been launched with excellent results. In addition tho committee had taken up the question of a donation drive, which had resulted, in good responso, and other holp had been promised provided tho association retained the present show grounds. A general meeting of members would bo called shortly to vote upon a proposal that tho sito bo rotained, and given the support the association deserved, ho felt that the present grounds would bo retained. Concluding, Mr Bntcholar thanked the Mayor and his council, as well as Mr Muir and his assistants, for the excellent manner in which they had decorated the town for the occasion of the National Dairy Show.

“I appreciate tho courtesy of your committee in extending to mo tho privilege of formally opening the 34th Winter Show," said the Mayor, who went on to express his pleasure at the fortunate change in tho weather conditions. Tho indications had been far from promising on Tuesday, and he trusted that the return of fine weather

would hold and result in the associa' tion receiving record patronage.

“I am sure that no event is of more importance, or more popular with our people, than your shows, and this is to be expected when you consider that the land in and around the Manawatu is the richest and most fertile in the Dominion, and when you further remember that New Zealand depends so largely for its prosperity' on its primary products. In fact, in the final analysis, commerce, manufactures, our Home market, and every form of activity depends on tho bounty of tho earth,, by which every worker, skilled and unskilled, must be fed, and by which his wages are ultimately paid. The work being carried out by the Department of Agriculture and tho agricultural colleges and schools of this Dominion furnishes a broad and intelligent foundation on which to build.up a new era of national prosperity, and this calls for a wise and generous support from tho Government of the day. "The two shows held by the association last year show a decided improvement on those of former years, but unfortunately these gains havo been more than offset in the early part of this year by tho disastrous results of the hurricane in February last, when buildings and property of the association were damaged to tho extent of £2200. It is to bo hoped that the weather will coutinuo to be fine throughout the Show, as tho loss of seating accommodation in the large stand through inclement wcathor -would seriously affect the takings, and this at a time when the association wants every penny of revenue. Owing to the serious position of the association's finances a proposal was made some few weeks ago to sell this property and establish a ground further out of the city. At a general meeting the proposal was deferred for eight months. Tho committee at its last meeting, however, decided to call a further general meeting, when a. proposal will be brought forward, recommending that tho previous resolution to defer the proposal for the sale of tho grounds be rescinded, and this, if carried, means that the association will continue to hold its shows in the present grounds and buildings. “The citizens, 1 knorv, realise what the Show has meant to tho growth of the city, and I am confident that they will co-operate with the committee to their fullest in an endeavour to overcome the present financial burden. A systematic canvass, for new members and donations is now being made by the committee, and to date 460 new members have been elected and approximately £IOOO promised in donations. Add to this the estimated gate receipts for June 23, which is being placed to the debt reduction account, and you have quite a substantial sum. As a matter of fact, this account already has a credit balance of £OOO, and with the other amounts just mentioned there should be available a sum of £2200, which should enable the association to clear off one of its mortgages of £2OOO at the conclusion of the Show.

“Tho entries for this Show constitute a record, being 3895 as compared with 3866 last year, which -was a record up to that time. The various halls comprise a floor space of 78,000 feet, and every available foot of space has been let. The machinery hall, the motor Olympia, the poultry and canary exhibits, are all worthy of inspection. We have often heard the expression, “a house of cards,' but in one of the halls there is a house of butter, and you can see it without paying any guaranteed price," he added. "Speaking of agricultural shows generally," ho continued, “in a country such as ours they are of paramount importance, because breeders and others interested havo an opportunity of viowing the various exhibits and seeing where the very necessary improvements for increasing the value of their various breeds, herds and other stocks can be made. Our agricultural shows, as ’ well as our agricultural schools and colleges, should roceive tho sympathetic support of all sections of the community. What the Government and the people must appreciate is tho absolute necessity of developing production in all spheres of industry and agricultural activity to balance tht divisions and sub-divisions of labour. This, when properly carried out, will show that town and country are as essential to each other as capital and labour. Our people, young and old, must be imbued with the true ideal of life, that is tho highest and the greatest good to all tho people, not a few of the people. Let this be accomplished, and you will then shape anew tho fortunes of this Dominion, and we can then claim New Zealand to be ‘God’s Own Country’ in every sense of the words."

Concluding, Mr Mansford expressed' the hope that the efforts of the president, along with those of the secretary and the committee, would be amply repaid for all the troublo gone to, by seeing that the Show would conclude as being the most successful yet. He had every pleasure in declaring the Winter Show open. (Applause.)

At the call of Mr Batchelar cheers were given Mr Mansford, who in turn invited the crow'd to accord the same honour to the president of the association.