THE SUMMER SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 16

THE SUMMER SHOW.

FINE A EBAY OF STOCK.

VARIETY OF ATTRACTIONS. ]NNOVATIONS INTKODLTED. DETAILS OK THE AWARDS. {NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONS. With the opening of another summer show at Epsom yesterday, material expression has again been given to Auckland's rapid rise from the Cinderella days of farming to the unchallenged position of the Dominion's richest dairying province. Into the judging pens have been gathered some of the choicest stock to be found in the Dominion —sleek coated cattle, longwoolled sheep and somnolent pigs—all telling in varying ways a living story of Agricultural and pastoral progress.

The Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Summer Show provided n visible link between town and country interests. The finer points of distinction between the breeds and the subtler shades of difference between animals of a similar type'may not easily be discerned by

those with unpractised eye. but none but the most unobservant of city dwellers would fail to sense in the magnificent array of stock at Epsom the truth of the familiar Assertion that the show ring, much more than Queen Street, is the provincial shop-window.

Lessons of the Show-ring. Some kindly providence seems to watch over the show to ensure that, the painstaking work of months shall not he nullified by wet weather. Yesterday was perfect, and (he flaps on the grandstand fluttered gaily over one of the brightest and most animated ring-side scenes in years. Four seasons fill the measure of the farmer's year, but it is in the> late spring and early summer that his twelve months' unremitting industry yields the greatest recompense and pride in the reflection on herds which have responded fully to the care lavished on them in the difficult months Waggons laden with green fodder lumbered on the outskirts of the show-ring toward evening, bearing feed to tho stalled stock, and that picturesque trims;''erenco of a familiar farm yarc! scene to the precincts of a city pro vitled one instance among many of the never-ending calls made upon the agriculturist who seriously courts success.

Variety has been lent to this year's show by a number of innovations. Basically the show changes little, but that is no detriment. The farmer comes to town to learn from the success of others in

improving the strain of stock or rearing in.lr.rls suited for the export trade. It is an tour seldom unprofitable. V'ith pipes drawing sweetly little groups jf farmers might be seen about the j idging pens yesterday, feeling the tc.vtjre of,the wool of a Romney Marsh, prodding the elastic sides of a Berkshire, or running an appraising hand along the back of a butter-fat producer with a value of. perhaps, 2000gns. upon her. The actual judging of the cattle in the ring also drew an nforested and reflective crowd, who followed the actions of !he red ribboned judges with close attention. Attractions lor the Multitude. In those aspects, then, shows are all very similar. But an enterprising committee of management has also ensured that those with a more superficial interest in stock shows shall also find avenues of education, instruction and entertainment. One improvement introduced this year ij the centralisation of all exhibits and attraction in close proximity to the showring,, instead of the old practice of a some whal, straggling exhibition occupying a much larger space. Within the ring the main attraction was the competition for hunters, with classes for men. women and juvenile riders. Tho women won particular admiration for their graceful and accomplished horsemanship. It was a thrilling sight to see galloping horses, with trim-looking riders up, Jikimming the brush fences and rising gallantly to the more difficult obstacles. Many of tho children showed considerable skill, and tho musical chairs competition provided an ideal outlet for youthful spirits and keen rivalries. Another popular side-lino of amusement was the wood-chopping contest. There bronzed men with polished axes sent the chips flying outward as they vied with each other in strenuous competition, and the onlookers were warmed to a fine frenzy of enthusiasm as they watched excitedly for tho first block to fall.

Side-show Blandishments. Pitching their tents curly in t diky thu nicle-sliow men were in readiness for thu crowds which commenced to arrive from tliti early afternoon onward. Judging by tho blandishments of tho leatherlimited announcers wirli had the show's greatest attraction within his booth, and 11 10 good-humoured crowds proceeded to tost (ho genuine nature of the rival assertions by viewing in turn each "wonder an arrangement which seemed t<: give mutual satisfaction. All the glorified games to which Aunt Sally and the coconnut shy have given rise were there, too. and beribboned boxes of chocolates uw.iited those possessed of hick or skill io (he throwing of a variety of missiles at all kinds of targots. An additional attraction to the show proper was the dog show, condiulrd by t lie Anclcl.ind Kennel ( ln!i in conjnuctioii •with the Agricultural .Society. There any lover of flogs—ami that means everyone—conic l find endless diversion in exauiining thu many {lasses, ranging from the hull dogs who resolutely refuse to register pleasure to the cushioned Pekinese with their air of smug complacency. To-day will he People's Day, and large ciowds are expected at Kpsoin For their pleasure a number of attractions have been arranged, the chief of which is a steer-riding competition .\s w;ts f )ie case yesterday the public will hp I'nlly informed of the results of competitions by means of amplifiers placed at convonicnt points around the ring.

RECORD FIRST "fiATK." ROYAL SHOW EXCEEDED. Th* secretary of the association, Mr. "VV. y. O'Donnell, reported last evening that the gate receipts yesterday const 1tuted a record, totalling LI 56 7 s 6d. compared with 11147 al '.J'e opening day 'if tl'io Itoynl Show in 1926. Details of ilrst, day's receipts for t lie past four fiumi'fior shows are as follows;

, ig? '•« 147 0 0 S 13211 °