PROVINCIAL PAGEANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21117, 26 February 1932, Page 15

PROVINCIAL PAGEANT.

SHOW COMMENCES TO-DAY. MANY NOVEL ATTRACTIONS. PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE'S DAY. For many years ilio Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association's annual metropolitan show has been a meeting place of town and country. This year the co-operation of the two interests is more than ever essential. The fixture, which opens at the Epsom show grounds to-day, will bo continued to-morrow, People's Day. and should attract all the interest that has been shown in it during past years by the mail in the street as well as by the agricultural Bections of the community. Tlio public of Auckland has always been ready to patronise the event, knowing full well how intimately its own existence is bound up with " the man on the land."

The Auckland Metropolitan Show occupies a premier position among the agricultural and pastoral displays of the North Island by reason of the wide interests it covers and the fine quality of exhibits that it attracts. There is no doubt that this year the finest specimens of pedigree stock in the province will be shown. A most attractive programme has been arranged, and in addition to all the classes of stock that have been seen in the past, many novel events that will attract the interest of the crowd have been arranged by the energetic committee in charge of the time-honoured festival. Large Entries Received.

Entries in all classes have been very satisfactory in view of the present financial position. In all stock sections exhibits have come forward in considerably larger numbers than last year, and the association is more than gratified. The entries of light horses and dairy cattle are nearly up to the figure for 1930, when a record was established, while shoep, pig and poultry classes all show large increases on last year's , figures. The entries for the various classes are as follows, last year's figures being given in parentheses:—Light horses and riding competitions, 321 (317); draught horses, 82 (62); cattle, 339 (315); sheep, 225 (184); pigs, 145 (100); „ poultry, 142 (106); rabbits, 22 (67); produce and home industries, 355 (597). The entries thus total 1667, compared with 1789 last year, which is considered to be remarkably good in the prevailing circumstances. But for the large decrease in the produce and home industries section, the entries would have registered a large increase on last year. Once again this year the dog sections, which are arranged by the Auckland Kennel Club in conjunction with the association, have proved exceptionally popular with exhibitors and a record entry of over 1000 dogs has been received. The range of breeds represented is very largo and this portion of the show should prove very popular with the public. Military and Naval Display.

In addition to the numerous exhibits, a very fine programme of varied events has been arranged for People's Day tomorrow. As a special attraction a great military and naval display will bo staged. Units from H.M.S. Philomel and from the King's College and Technical College cadet corps will take part in various manoeuvres and gymnastic displays and, accompanied by the Ponsonby Boys' Band, which will be in attendance during the day, will take part in a grand march past. A feature of the manoeuvres of the King's College cadets is that the entire exhibition, including battalion, company, platoon and section drill with arms, is being given entirely under the control of cadet non-commissioned officers. The display of gymnastics to be given by the Technical College cadets is also expected to be one of the finest yet presented in Auckland. Keen interest has been taken by all the participants in training for the displays. An event that always causes amusement and excitement is the "Wild West Rodeo," in which noted country riders try their skill in riding wild steers harebacked. A more orthodox test of riding capabilities will bo afforded bv the hunting and jumping contests. Horse-lovers should delight- in these sections, as some of tho champion hunters in the Auckland Province will take part. An amusing novelty in these classes will be a "potato race" on horseback. Sheep Dog Trial. For the first time a sheep dog trial has been added this year to the list of entertainments. Hitherto there have been many exhibitions of clever work, notably by Mr. P. McKenzie, of Kohukohu, in shedding and* penning, but tho Auckland public has not an opportunity to witness a trial in progress. The preliminary contests will be run off to-day and tho three dogs in tho final will compete to-morrow. Competitors have been attracted from many parts of tho province, as special accommodation is being provided for_ dogs entered in the. contest. City people rarely have an opportunity" for seeing first-class sheep-dog work and the sagacity and skill of the competitors should prove a surprise to them. Whippet-racing will also be presented as a further item of entertainment. Several prominent dogs havo been entered for the races and some close finishes will probably eventuate.

To add to the variety of interest provided at the show, a sheep-shearing competition, always a popular item on Mho programme at Southern fixtures, has been arranged, post entries being acceptable. Display of Wood-chopping.

Yefc another attraction on Peoplo's Day will be the wood-chopping contests, run in affiliation with the Northern Athletic Union. A 14in. standing chop and a 12in. standing chop will bo competed for. This morning will be mainly occupied with judging in all sections, while in the afternoon a number of attractive equestrian events will bo staged. To-morrow the programme will commence in the morning with children's riding competitions and wood-chopping events, and at 1.30 p.m. the grand parade of the slock classes will bo held. At 2 p.m. the final of the dog trial will be run off and at 2.30 p.m. further equestrian events will be held. The steer-riding competition has been arranged to commence at 2.45 p.m. and at 3.15 p.m. the military and naval events will commence. Whippet-racing and sheep-shearing will add to the interest of the afternoon.