COUNTRY'S WEALTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23053, 2 June 1938, Page 17

COUNTRY'S WEALTH

FINE EXHIBITION DAIRY PRODUCE SECTION ALL PROVINCES REPRESENTED [from OUR OWN" correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday Demonstrating in impressive fashion the wealth of production from what are recognised as among the richest farmlands of New Zealand, the Waikato Winter Show was opened by the Gov-ernor-General, Viscount Galwav, to-day. Several thousand farmers and ton nilwellers mingled at the show throughthe day, viewing the outstanding exhibits which covered a wide sphere of industry. Hamilton itself is thronged with visitors for the occasion, and accommodation is at a premium. The show will continue until Thursday of next week, and farmers are apparently taking full opportunity of attending it. Record entries have lx>en received for the show, which is housed in the Bledisloe Hall and adjoining structures, covering approximately two acres of floor space. Entries total 47Q0, including 1180 in one of the finest displays of dairy produce ever staged in the Waikato. Dairy Produce Without doubt, the most noteworthy feature of the show is the fine representative selection of dairy produce from every province—a display excelling those of past years, which wore described as Innng among the best in the world. Stacks of cheeses in every conceivable class occupy numerous trestles in a special section, where the ample wall space is also covered with endless rows of the finest factory butter, ready to supply world markets. Enhancing the variety of this particular section is a case of foreign cheeses, which vie with the New Zealand product abroad. Full evidence of the adverse effect of an unusually dry summer is given in the section devoted to root crops, for which entries fell short of previous seasons. Quality, however, has been satisfactory maintained, especially by produce from the Putaruru district. The variety of roots is somewhat restricted, and interest centres principally around the mangolds, turnips, corn and garden vegetables, Several massive pumpkins are shown, weighing up to 1601b. apiece. Help lor Farmers Much of educational value is to be found in a large display under the direction of the Department of Agriculture. Every phase of farming is analysed to clarify problems encountered on the land. Soil types and suitable pastures, the uses of fertilisers, and" the classification of weeds are demonstrated in various ways. Special attention is al>o devoted to the pig farmer, in an attempt to instruct him in producing proper standard, bacon and pork. There is an outstanding exhibition of photographic art staged by the International Photograph Salon. It is j the second display of its type held in I the Dominion, and includes .'?l6 camera studies from exhibitors of Continental j countries, as well as England, j America, India, Australia and New j Zealand. Home Industries Home industries are fully repre- j sented in a large display, which occu- I pies the upstairs promenade of Bledisloe Hall. Many kitchen delicacies are exhibited in company with a wide variety of needlecraft and finery, in which the women of town and country have shown their skill to good advantage. Further fine displays of this nature have been staged by the various women's institutes of the province, and in the competitive courts j some attractive work is to be found. Children have added their share to the success of the show in a series of competitive classes. Drawing, writing and modelling of a high order are displayed, together with a hobby section. Trade Displays Trade exhibitors have spared no expense in arranging an array of stalls which cannot fail to attract atten- j tion. Several unusual decorative de- I signs have been incorporated in the ! general lay-outs, which include larg» 1 numbers of milking machines and j other labour-saving devices for the farms, as well as such articles that are a necessity in either an urban or rural home. New models in the motoring world fill many exhibitors' stands, and make an open appeal to the prosperity manifested on every hand. "Canvastown" might aptly describe the amusement park, which surround* the show buildings. Never before haveso many sideshows been collected for any event in Hamilton, and a miniature community under canvas has come prepared to give visitors to the show their full measure of enjoyment and entertainment with specialty exhibitions, games of every kind' and amusement devices.