THE WINTER SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13498, 27 May 1907, Page 6

THE WINTER SHOW.

'A' SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITION.

TOTAL TAKINGS ABOUT £600.

AUCKLAND'S "LEAD" ; IN, BUTTER

EXHIBITS.

The Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Winter Show was brought to a conclusion on Saturday, when, despite the inclemency of the weather, there were very satisfactory attendances of the public. The various features of th& show were inspected by*, interested; throngs of visitors, and in the evening an additional attraction was provided by a promenade concert, the music being supplied by Marriage's Band. The arts and craft section was again crowded, and an exhibition, of pillow lace-making, given by Mrs.' C. Bagley, proved of special interest, especially to the feminine section of the visitors.

The sum taken at the gates on Saturday was £172 9s. . The takings on. the other days were as Wednesday, £64 13s; Thursday, £118 2s;; Friday, £236 7s. Tho grand total for the four days was thus £591 lis, which, in view of the very uncertain state of the weather during the whole period, is regarded as very satisfacr tory. Some returns from outside sales of tickets have yet to come in, and when these are taken into account the total takings will probably be increased to about £600. , Tho total expenditure is not yet known, but the financial position is one that should leave the executive >f the association no cause lor anxiety, the receipts, in view of the circumstances, being well up to anticipations.'. ■.■'-

The question of keeping < the show open again to-day was considered at a meeting of the committee on Saturday afternoon, but after discussion it was agreed to adhere to the original arrangement and to close on Saturday night. The removal of tho exhibits will be commenced this morning. The committee have decided; to u send all perishable goods not removed \ before four o'clock this afternoon as a donation to the Costlcy Home. The various officials of the association all worked hard lin connection with the show, and Mr. Edwin Hall, .as secretary, had his time fully' employed in attending to the onerous duties of his office. The visitors to the show included a largo number of residents •■ of other parts of the colony, and all united in expressing the opinion that the initial effort of the association in respect to the show has proved a very gratifying success.' A suggestion wag made. at the meeting of the committee on Saturday that a "children's day" should bo, held on the first day of the show next year, and that the scholars > ■': of / the city and suburban .schools be invited to attend free of •; charge, . under the control of their teachers. :.'. ■ .. ;';.' ",". ';' A PALMERSTON NORTH .VISITOR'S OPINION. • Amongst the numerous visitors to the show who were very favourably, impressed ; with. the exhibition was Mr. J. T. Lang, of Palmerston North, and a member of the Manawatu and West Coast ■&. and P. ■ Association. Mr. Lang, who was ; formerly on ; the .Department, of Agriculture's dairy staff, and who was at one. time a resident of Auckland, remarked to a Herald representative, on Saturday, that he regretted that there -had been any controversy as to the number of exhibits in the butter classes, as between the Auckland and Palmerston shows. "Undoubtedly," said Mr. Lang, r' "Auckland has taken the lead in this class .on; this occasion, and I am too cosmopolitan not to feel sorry that any feeling should have been displayed in the matter. As one who was present at the first: winter show held;'.in"the '■ colonythat at' Dunedin—l ■ can : say, without hesitation, that the Auckland show is far superior' to that. ; It must be ; remembered, however, that the first Dunedin show was held about 13 years ago, ; and .that the facilities for making a good display are much greater now than they- were at \ that time. Your show is a very fine one,;and a" surprise to visitors,from far and near.'' . .; Speaking of ; the district courts, Mr/ Lang said that they, were'excellent for a first attempt; At Palmerston ;" North it was impossible, owing to " the less distinct demarcation of districts, to : arrange : for such exhibits, but school district exhibits were provided for,, and these proved very successful, a time being set apart for the free admission of children in charge of their teachers One show, he considered, should help another, and a spirit ;of friendly emulation, rather than of jealous rivalry, should be cultivated by the different centres...'. ■"■:.... ■■■•■ - Sir. : Lang ' pointed out that when the Main Trunk railway is ; completed it will greatly assist the • - interchange ■of exhibits between Palmerston ;and K Auckland, ■; as perishable products could be sent through direct ; in cool carriages; instead, of beingsubject to the delays of; the present system of conveyance partly by rail and partly by steamer. He thought it would .be an improvement if the- Auckland show could be gathered under one roof, and he , also urged the inadvisableness of having more than one winter show in tho Auckland district, the holding of one large central exhibition being, he considered, the best policy to pursue. , ■/,■■ ' ,- . l