WINTER EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20071, 8 October 1928, Page 11

WINTER EXHIBITION.

SUCCESS OF LAST FIXTURE. SUBSTANTIAL PROFIT MADE. EFFORTS TO SAVE EXPENSE. Satisfaction with tho continued popularity of tho Auckland Winter Exhibition is expressed in the annual report of tho managers, to be submitted to the annual meeting of the exhibition joint committee on Wednesday. That the fixture maintained its public appeal was evidenced by the large attendances during the period of ten days, states the report. Referring to the industrial displays tho report states"Tho display of primary and secondary industries was a credit to tho exhibitors, and the exhibition is undoubtedly the best medium for showing the many and varied products of tho province. Butter, which forms tho most important product of the province, was well lepresented, and there was a slight increase in the number of entries, which came from all parts of the Dominion. There was a considerable decrease in the entries for the cheese section, the larger number of the exhibits coming from southern factories. A fair' increase was shown in the farmers' butter classes, while both the honey and root crop sections showed a marked improvement in quantity and quality. The hams and bacon and the flax classes wcro • disappointing, as the former elicited no response, while there was only one entrant for the latter." Disappointment is also expressed with tho poor showing in the fruit classes. As to the financial aspect, the report states the exhibition proved most successful, and resulted in a substantial profit. This was achieved in face of the fact that the committee had to pay the whole cost of building additions, whereas this was shared last year by the Olympia Exhibition committee. Receipts in connection with tho show totalled £8483, expenditure amounting to £6231. The Manufacturers' Association and the Agricultural and Pastoral Association each take £750 as share of the profits, £752 being tho balance in the bank.

Gate receipts were £2OO less this year than last., the report continues. It is considered this decrease was largely due ti a period of dull times. In this connection it is asked whethei the extra cost, £l5O, warrants the continuation of the exhibit of high-grade butter-fat producing cows, an innovation this year. Tho report adds: "The fact that tho cost of building additions, fittings, and charges incidental to the rental of sheds, absorbed £2700, or practically one-third of the total receipts of the exhibition, is one that calls for the more serious consideration of the proposal to seCTire exhibition buildings of our own. This will take a considerable time, but in tho meantime it is worth considering whether we could not economise very materaially by cutting out the additional building between the sheds and confining ourselves to tho erection of covered-in passage ways between tho four sheds. A very considerable saving could be effected if this were done."