PROSPECTS GOOD.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14064, 10 February 1939, Page 4

PROSPECTS GOOD.

FOR THE PAHIATUA SHOW AN OUTSTANDING EVENT. With a very encouraging weather forecast of ar.ti-cycionc weather with rising temperatures prospects for the Pahiatua A. and P. Association’s annual Show to-morrow are very prom- C ising. Entries this year, especially in the jumping classes are something of a record in the history of the Association, and with large entries also in the sheep and cattle classes and in the saddle and draught horses, the function promises to be an outstanding event in the farming life of the district. Not only for farmers, however, will tlie Show prove an event to be remembered, for the general public, when it tires of admiring tlie pick of the live-stock of the district, and the wonderful displays of jumping, will be amply provided for in the direction of amusement. Yesterday and to-day the showgrounds presented an appearance of a miniature town, with the camps of side-show-men going up in all directions, every type of abode from caravans to tents being represented. Positions were balloted for yesterday afternoon and, not without some argument, places were allotted, pegs set to mark boundaries, and soon the sound of hammer on tentpeg showed where the first marquees were going up. All the available sideshow space will be packed with attractions of all types, giving a wide variety of entertainment for- the non-agricultural minded section of the public. GROWTH OF THE SHOW. The Association came into existence in 1909, the first president being Mr J. C. Cooper, while the first secretary was Mr J. A. Walsh, whose efficient services the Association has retained right up to the present day. The first Show was held on the Pahiatua Racecourse in 1910, and was notable for the exceptionally large number of entries, especially in the hack classes, practically everyone in the district who had a hack entering it in the Show. This over-abundance of entries was, however, weeded out considerably the next year, but entries on the "whole have shown a progressive increase ever since Only two Shows were held on the Pahiatua Racecourse, after which the function was moved to the present showgrounds. It is interesting to recall that the first grandstand built there at a cost of £IOOO was burnt dpwn during the war, and this was believed to have been the work of an incendiary. A LOVELY PICNIC GROUND. Adjacent to tlie Showgrounds, and forming an ideal picnic site, i> Carnival Park, comprising 15 acres of native bush and furnished with every modern convenience, including a campers’ shed. The Park is fur- * tber beautified by the presence of a miniature lake, while the virgin, bush is the home of innuim rable tuis. The property on which the Park was established was originally owned bv the late Mrs Harold Smith and Dr. Dawson, aud was purchased and set apart for the public by means of funds raised shortly before the war by a carnival organised by the present secretary of the C ommittee, Mr J. A. Walsh- it total qf over £BOO being collected for this purpose. The upkeep was provided for through the agency oi the late Mr Harold Smith, who, while M.P. for the district, was instrumental in having a special Act of Parliament passed to enable the Rorough and County jointly to strike a special rate not exceeding £l5O annually for the maintenance of the Park. This fund is sufficient for the employment of a caretaker, who has his own cottage, and is also provided with lighting and firing. Tlie present chairman of the Park Committee is Mr J. D. Wilson, who has filled this position in a verv able and energetic manner for a number of years. In surroundings such n* these, and with such an attractive programme of ol asses, competitive ebents and entertainments, the Show this year will undoubtedly be a memorable event, and nothing is more certain than that this function, which has grown so substantially in interest and variety, will continue this rear and in the future ’ts record of ’achievement.