Fourth Day—Saturday.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 17

Fourth Day— Saturday.

CLOSE OF THE WINTER SHOW AND EXHIBITION. On Saturday there wa« a large attendance at the Jubiles Industrial Exhibition and Winter Show of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society , about £182 being taken at the doors during the day. The total takings daring the four days of the show amounted to about £600. In the afternoon the Garrison Band gave a promenade concert, and Mr Bushby amused a large number of visitor! with his Punch and Judy show. In the evening the Garriion Band again performed a number of selections both insid« and outside the Agricultural Hall. There ,was also a display of fireworks in front of the building in the evening, but it was a lamentably poor affair.

At about half-past 9 the drawing for the art union prizes in connection with the exhibition took place, tinder the supervision of a large committee of well-known citizens. The total number of tickets sold for the art union was 5024, and all of the*e had been disposed of by Mesdames M'Donald and Smith in the Art Gallerj during the time ttc exhibition had bean open. There wet*> 4-5 prizes, and the first one went to Dr Truby King, of the Seaoliff Asylum. Mr Sorimgeour, of Roxburgh, got the second prize, while the thud fell to Mr Shirtcliffe. The winning numbers o? tbo next 12 highest prizes were as foliow :—1595,: — 1595, 2269, 4274, 4941, 2055. 5182, 1043, 1029, 2999, 3524, 1146, 3425.

For the guessing competition a large number ef persons sent in their estimate of the number of peas in the sealed bottle. The pea» were counted in the presence of several members of the committee, when it was found that the bottls contained 1921. Mr B. M, Miller, Kaikorai, wins the first prize of £2, having guessed the actual number ; and Mr K. Denniston, Lees street, and Mr J Thomson, exhibition building, divide second prize, haviug both guessed 1923

THE ATTENDANCE,

At the initiation of the exhibition there were not a few who predicted that it wonld be a failure, but we are pleased to be able to state that such will not be the case, and after all accaanfcs are settled there will be a substantial

balance to the credit. We are unable to obtain at present any complete details of the actual number who have attended the show and exhibition, but it has been officially estimated that including season ticket-holdere, members of the Otago A. and P. Society, attendant*, performers, and assistants that close on 200,000 have entered the building.

As regards the door receipts of the winter show itself, ii has considerably exceeded the committee's expectations, and for the information of the general public wa append a statement of the takings for the last two years. la making a comparison, however, it is necessary to take into consideration chat by an arrangement with the executive ef the exhibition all season ticket-holders were admitted free, and in consequence over 2000 persons were admitted free a« against 500 last year Other matters which materially assisted to the success of last year's show was the fact that it was held during the week of her Majesty's Jubiles celebrations, when there was a large influx of visitors, and also the opening of the Agricultural Building*. Taking all these matters into consideration the society has not lost ground as regards attendance, and, with the exception of the four first days at the opening of the exhibition, the takings for the show are considerably in excess of any one week during the whole period ef the exhibition :—: — 1897. 1898. First day £229 £106 Second day ... ... 265 180 Third day ... ... ... 151 149 Fourth day .!. ... 315 187 £760 £602

These figures only represent the cash cakiogs at the door, aud if season ticket holders, members of the society, attendants, and others are added to that number, from 18,000 to 20,000 people mnst hays vieited the show during the four days.

THE CHEESE COMPETITIONS,

It is pleasing to note that throughout the whole competitions no protests have been received. The only alteration in the published list of prizes is in claes V, best two factory-made cheese suitable for export, for which Messrs A. M. Dftwaon and Co., Orepuki, were credited with the first prize. For thie competition the committee decided that all entries h&d to be in the possession of the society and placed in cool stores by April 9. The Orepuki Factory did not comply with these conditions, and while this class was being jadged the matter was overlooked until the books were being checked. As soon as the omission was noticed a meeting of committee was called, when Messrs A. M. Dawson and Co. were disqualified, and the prizes awarded to Mataura Dairy Factory, 1 ; Wyndham Dairy Factory, 2.

THE CLOSING PROCEEDINGS.

At the close of-th« show on Satuv day evening the committee and several of their f rienda met, when a few toasts were proposed, including that of " Continued Success to the Society." The Hon. T. Fekgus, in proposing the health of the judges, complimented them on the satisfactory manner in which they had carried out their duties. He was pleased to state that so far he had not heard one exhibitor complaining. The manner in which the Government experts had judgud the export cheese and butter, their remarks and comments on all the exhibits, must be of an immense value to all those connected with the dauying industry, as ib was made evident at once wheie there was any deficiency. The committee were greatly indebted to all the judges for their services and all the trouble and time devoted- to judging.

Mr C. W. Soksnsbn, in responding, stated that it gave him great pleasure to act as one of ihe judges ai; the Dunedin show. The committee, he considered, were ft live body, and deserved to be encouraged, Tba dairying interests were greatly assisted and benefited by any society having such competitions in cheese and butter, &c. Mr Sorensea paid a high compliment to the class stewards for their attention and the manner in which they earned out their duties.

The fuaeess o? the Agricultural Hall Company a'&b proposed, aud responded to by the Hon. Thomas Feegus, who stated thst it now only wanted the farmers of Otago to assist by interesting themselves in the matter, and the whole of the fine block of buildings would become the property of the Otago A. and P. Society, which would give that body a status which no other association in New Zealand had.

The Chairman proposed the health of the Vice-presidents of the Exhibition.

Mr A. Thomson, in replying, stated that he was pleased to have been connected with the exhibition. The hearty and ready response received from the Danedin public gave the promoters such encouragement that they felt assured the project woald turn out successful. He was pleased to state that from firct to last there had been no friction, the whole committee working energetically to make the exhibition a success, and visitors from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch had expressed themselves in globing terms of the exhibition.

Mr James Hazlett, having been called on, stated that the executive had received considerable encouragement from a large section of the Danedin public. There were some who had predicted that it would bo a complete failure, and he was sorry to say that from some quarters they had not received the support that such a proposal was entitled to. The exhibition had not been open a week before the executive were satisfied that none of the guarantee received from the Dunedin friends would be required ; when these guarantees were obtained they were all prepared to pay up should there be a possibility of the exhibition not turning out financially.

The Hon. Mr Fergus proposed the toast of "Absent Friends," and in doing so said that no one would be more anxious than their absent friend Mr Brydone to les.ru the result of both the show and exhibition. There was no one who had taken more interest in agricultural and pastoral matters than Mr Brydone, and there was no one who had stuck so loyally to the society. Mr Brydone's health was drunk with great enthusiasm.

Mr James Smith proposed the toast of 11 Country Exhibitors," and stated that the society was greatly indebted to the Bruce, Taieri, and Waihamo districts for their magnificent display at this show. He (Mr Smith) considered, that such exhibits should be encouraged &s they were oae of the principal features of the show.

Mr Walter Blackie and Mr James Odghton responded.

" Tns Trade of Dunedin " was responded to by Mr J. Waters, who stated that farmers should fea greatly indebted to the society for koldinjj those winter shows, aa by sucb exhibitions farmers were enabled to ecxaa to Dun> eclin aud compara seeds. Farmers uhoald not be content with any class of seed, but should have the best, and it was now necessary for the trade only to keep thw first quality if they wish to make sales.

The toast of -'The Ladies" was proposed by the Chairman, &n<i responded to by Mr Fxed. Oldham.

Mr Duthib proposed the health of the class stewards, and Mr A. S, Orbeli duly responded. Me B. C. Jones md Mr A, Fivi&v/kk se&E-t;K4M

on behalf of the Lighting Committee, and the harmony ended with a vote of thanks to the chairman.