ALLOCATION OF SHOW SPACE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19498, 5 June 1925, Page 6

ALLOCATION OF SHOW SPACE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—l thank you for pnblisltjng my letter on the above subject, but, Air Dnthie.’s reply, if it can be eabed a reply, entirely evades the matter. * I have asked why tho Express Company wa> granted space to the exclusion of tarn machinery. Mr Dmhie’s statement that 1 was too late in applying is not correct, as lie granted space to exhibitors who applied since his letter to me of the,27lli alt. 1 challenge hint to deny this 1 further stale tnal on May 18 Mr Dnthie verbally granted me spa, e, saying, “If you will take that no one else will get it." 1 agreed la take it. Will Mr Dnthie deny (hi.-? About May 23 I called and asked Mr Dnthie what would be the earliest date I could bring my machinery into the show, lie intimated it was doubtful if space could lie granted me. 1 reminded him that tie had already fixed my space. He refilled that lie hud received more sheep entries than hud been expected. I pointed out teat the Express Company was marked on the ground plan, and that as its exhibit, was not an agricultural exhibit mine should havt> tho preference. He stated ho was going to kick the Express Company out also as he could not grant, space to a company of which he was a director and eliminate agricultural machinery. But this is exactly what was done. 1 informed film that since he granted me space 1 had issued a considerable number of letters to clients who were anxious to see the four-drive, tractor, and it would not only be a disappointment, to (Item but, vvontld place mo in a false position. Ho said he would let me know later. On May 25 I wrote Mr Dnthie stating I had received replies from some of the people, to whom I wrote stating their intention of seeing my tractor at tho show, and I hoped ho would arrange, space for me. His reply was as per copy you published a the foot of my letter. If my exhibits are those ho like,s to encourage I leave it to ’your readers to say whether ha has done. so. Mr Duthio did not do his best to encourage me to exhibit. and if exhibitors wore all treated as I was there would he few showing. Today T was informed oi at least one gentleman from Timupu who came down to see me at tho show, and. fading to find mo there, returned to Timaru by this morning train. Will Mr Dnthie rely to those statements and not sidestep them? Will ho agree to an independent, inquiry into the allocation of space at this show? I may mention that before writing you yesterday I app.roiu'hod Mr Duthio and explained I was not satisfied with tho maimer in which I hud boon treated and told him I intended taking the matter further unless bo. could, give a satisfactory explanation. He stated I,hero was not room, and he had done bis best. I pointed out that his own company had been given space. Ho lost his temper, and said in effect that neither I nor anyone else would dictate to him what should bo shown, and I could do my worst., and he did not care. Further, he said that I had gone a peculiar way about getting space. I asked him what ho meant. He replied _ that .1 had approached some of the committee. ’Hits I denied, stating f had approached no one, until after receipt of his letter of the 271,h. On the advice of a friend 1 called on Air Andrew, who kindly suggested I should sea Messrs Slrc.nach, Morris, and C®.. This 1 did, and they met me in a most generous manner. Air Andrew, I believe, telephoned Mr Duthio after I left and later telephoned me that he had done so, and that, ho understood I could obtain space with that firm. These are some of tho facts that I want inquired into, and. if they are as stilted, will Air Duthio or anyono snv T received fair treatment? The_whole matter left an impression on my mind that I was deliberately excluded.—l am, eto., ft. Hornkman. Sir, — I feel that it is due to the A. and P. Society and to its secretary to give a more detailed reply to Mr iloruomun s letter in your issue of yesterday than is contained in the footnote. His application for space way received after the Space Committee—not Mr Dutiiie —had considered applications already in and allotted all the space available. Mr Ilorneniun was advised verbally of the position, and the secretary’s letter to him of tho 27th shows that every effort was made to accommodate the exhibit. Space was further upset for machinery exhibits by tho unexpected increase in slock entries, which naturally must receive preference. Consequently necessary readjustments account for the variation in some of tho spaces. Tho New Zealand Express Company has exhibited at our bummer and W inter Show for years, and the commtttee’s thanks are due to it for meeting the society not, only in past years but in fin’s year bv allowing us to cut down its space notwithstanding that its applications are always in in ample time —this year’ on March 6. Mr E F. Duthio had nothing whatever to do personally with ti e allocation of space for the New'Zealand Express Company. Tho society practically arranged space in Messrs St-i'onach, Alorris, and Co.’s store for Mr Horneman. It is to be regretted that Air Horneman ba.s taken the steps he has done to make the public think ho has been badly treated Ho mav rest assured that he is not tho only one who has suffered through the shortage of space, hut perhaps he. can comfort himself with the thought that his letter will give his implement? an advertisement through your coktmus which otherwise might not have obtained. —We are, etc., The Otago A. «d P. Society. George Black. President.