Whangarei's Record Winter Show Opened This Afternoon

Northern Advocate, 27 June 1939, Page 4

Whangarei's Record Winter Show Opened This Afternoon

Will! A MIDWINTER SUN GLINTING ON THE STEEL FABRIC OF IHE ENTRANCE, THE MUNICIPAL BAND, DISPENSING GAY MUSIC AND HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR, MR W. JONES, IN HIS ROBES. OF OFFICE, INSPECTING A SMARTLY TURNED OUT GUARD OF THE WHANGAREI HIGH SCHO OL CADETS, THE SCENE THIS AFTERNOON WAS A FITTING ONE FOR THE OPENING OF THE WIIANGAKEI WINTER SHOW.

Along either side of Walton Street cars were parked thickly, and the show building and grounds were aliye with early sightseers.

Under Lieut. H. E. Reward and< Sgt.-Major H. E. James, the guard of honour, 50 strong, made a brave showing in their neat High School uniforms.

Kay. “To the people of Northland and to the members of the society I would extend congratulations on the wisdom shown in selecting such a man to guide the destinies of the ciety.

Headed by the Mayor, and including representatives of the principal local bodies and organisations, the official party then proceeded through the main building to the entertainment marquee. As the guests took their seats on the dais, little Shirley Brake came forward to present a bouquet to the Mayoress, Mrs W, Jones.

“In Mr James you have a man of vision, a man of courage, and a man of action—three very important' requisites for. the position he occupies. He has an undoubted honesty of purpose in anything he undertakes.” Pioneer Spirit Still Alive.

The President’s- Speech

Mr Mac Kay said that as he had walked through the agricultural section he could not help feeling that the produce represented there was from the county he represented. A tremendous amount of energy and patience had been put into the fine work displayed there. “It seems to me that the spirit of the old pioneers is still apparent in the Whangarei county,” concluded Mr Mac Kay. ~ Harbour Board’s Congratulations.

Mr H. W. James, president of the society, read messages of goodwill from Messrs J. G. Barclay, M.P., C. J. E. Barriball (chairman of the Mangonui County Council) and J. A. McLean (chairman of the North Auckland Power Board).

Interest apparent in the 1939 Exhibition, and the large patronage on opening day had been a source of gratification to the A. and P. Society, said Mr James. Once again all previous records had been excelled, justifying the society’s claim for the 1939 Exhibition as “Bigger, brighter and better.”

In extending congratulations on behalf of the Harbour Board, the chairman, Mr E. L. Whimp, said he had watached the progress of the society very closely and he knew the difficulties with which it was faced, particularly in recent years with regard to the weather. “However, you have won through and the Winter Exhibition is now one of .the outstanding annual events held in Northland,” he said.

With one exception entries in all classes had been a record. Particular reference was made to the growth of the National Bacon Championship, extended this year and for which entries had been received from Kaiapoi to Kaitaia. Prize money also had been well distributed. Wonderful success had been achieved in the model section. So great was the enthusiasm that one exhibitor, in order to show his model at Whangarei, had left Auckland at 5 p.m., travelled to the show and returned to the city the same night. Farm and garden entries had come forward in greater abundance than ever before, the exhibition of roots and vegetables being one of the best assembled in the Dominion.

Mr Whimp assured the society of the Harbour Board’s co-operation, wherever possible, in securing its new home. ANOTHER MILESTONE. ; “This Whangarei Winter Exhibition organised by the Whangarei Agricultural and Pastoral Society is the only one of its kind to be held in Northland and it will mark another milestone in the progress of Whangarei,” said the Mayor. Mr W. Jones. “Similar exhibitions are held annually in other parts of the Dominion •with great success, and I believe that this exhibition will be equally successful and take its place with, the most important held in the Dominion “Whangarei is geographically ideally situated for an exhibition such as this, being as it is the central town of Northland and the principal town and port of one of the most productive and prosperous districts in the Dominion. “Why are these exhibitions held? The chief value of an exhibition, such as this, is to serve the members of the community by giving them the opportunity of viewing, appreciating and interesting themselves in the primary and secondary industries of the. Dominion and encouraging the increase of these industries in our own district—a matter of vital importance today—if we wish to prosper as we should.

After referring to the society’s project for a new ground and building, Mr James paid tribute to the army of voluntary workers and the loyal staff who had assisted in building such a worthwhile show.

Tribute to Mr James

Mr J. A. S. Mac Kay, chairman of the Whangarei County Council, and Hospital Board, complimented the president on the success of the exhibition anid the confidence and cooperation which had been accorded him during his term of office. “It must be gratifying for you, Mr President, to see the way the Exhibition has developed and extended under your guidance,” said Mr Mac-

Opportunity For People.

“It gives the town dweller ah opportunity of gaining first-hand knowledge of the excellent primary products for which our district is renowned and the farmer the opportunity of inspecting the goods which ,are manufactured in our own province and the Dominion, the extent of which is very often not realised or appreciated by the majority of the people. One of the definite objects of such an exhibition is the encouragement it gives to the school children.

“Special addresses on matters of interest will be given to them and special classes have been arranged showing the work done both individually and collectively. The educational value of the comprehensive displays by our leading manufacturers and the technical and arts and crafts classes combined with the exhibition of all manner of agricultural, pastoral and domestic classes, cannot be overestimated and will be of immense educational benefit to the younger generation.

||. “The value of the Exhibition in this | direction is recognised by the educa- ■« tion authorities, and the Railway De- | partment has co-operated by arranging ft special excursion trains .at exception--19 ally low fares from neighbouring disI tricts. ;| New Era of Progress. | “No effort has been spared to make the Exhibition attractive to visitors, I If the public accords it the support It I deserves, I have every confidence that I it will be successful and the means of I facilitating a new era of progress and I prosperity for our district. Both town I and country interests have co-operated | with remarkable enthusiasm with the | one object in view of ensuring that the I venture should be a credit to the disl trict.

“I am sure the executive must appreciate the splendid, work done by the various committees, men and women who are experienced in the work they have carried out so efficiently, and among whom are the leaders of our agricultural, commercial and domestic organisations throughout the whole of the district. The ladies’ auxiliaries have done valuable work in carrying out .the domestic and arts and crafts sections. The generous assistance ren-

dered by the ladies, which has done much to odd to the attractiveness of the show, is very much appreciated. “In conclusion, I should like to again congratulate the Society’s executive on its attainments to-day. Its energies do illustrate and describe the. unrivalled advantages and attractions Northland possesses fcr the agriculturist, pastoralist, industrialist, tourist, and anyone seeking a home in retirement. Northland has one of the healthiest climates in the world, an abundance of power and water, some of the finest agricultural and pastoralland in the Dominion, and everything that can be desired in the way of scenic attractions and health recreations. Let our slogan be: ‘Let Northland Flourish —There is Nothing to Equal Whangarei’s Winter Exhibition.’ “I have great pleasure in declaring the exhibition open,” concluded Mr Jones.

In place of a golden key, which, Mr James stated, was being reserved for the opening of the new building, the Mayor was presented with an A. and P. Society medallion in gold, bearing the inscription: “1939 Winter Exhibition, W. Jones, Mayor.”