WINTER SHOW POPULAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16339, 13 May 1927, Page 12

WINTER SHOW POPULAR

UNCOMFORTABLE CRUSH LAST NIGHT’S LARGE ATTEND- • ANCE Tho popularity of lho Poverty Bay Winter Show is beyond question. In addition to a remarkably good attendance on the opening day, Wednesday, the Garrison Hull was packed yesterday afternoon, while m the evening it was overcrowded. Inside the hall there was scarcely room to turn round, and one had to go whichever the way the surging crowd was slowly moving; it was hopeless to attempt to do otherwise. At. the same time there were largo numbers crowding the entrance door seeking admission. The town was in holiday mood, and it- was a good-natured, happy throng, but at the same time, during the worst ol the rush between 8 p.m. and 9 p.in., it was almost impossible tor one to see much of the exhibits. Some idea of the extent of the crowd can be gathered by the fact that at 9 p.m., even after large numbers had left, 125 motor-cars were counted in the vicinity of the hall. There was no move striking evidence in support oi the association being in urgent need of a larger hall than the congestion which took place last night. -No doubt the extra large dimensions of the crowd was due in some degree to the holiday feeling prevailing, but at the same time it must be borne in mind that year by year the popularity of the show is growing and the attendance of the public will increase as time goes on. Despite the fact that a drizzling rain tell throughout the evening, the sideshows outside- the hall did remarkably good business, while the stalls inside did even better. ATTENDANCE FIGURES.

Attendance figures given this morning by Mr. W. At. Bayly, secretary of tho \\ inter Show Association, are very interesting. Last night, lie said, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., a total of 2530 people gained admission to the ball, and many left, who were unable to obtain admission. The afternoon’s attendance was conservatively estimated at 1500.

Even as early as 7 p.m. the hall was full, and by 7.30 o’clock large numbers who desired to visit other entertainments were wanting to make their exit. For some minutes there were two crowds, one trying to get out and the other doing their best to obtain admission. The result, was that nobody got, either way for a. short time. The main entrance doors were accordingly thrown open as the exit, and the stream of humanity was then able to continue in both directions.

Mr. Bayly extended apologies for tin* congestion which had occurred, but added that such a large attendance was entirely unexpected, and was therefore unprepared for. As the Show was open continuously from 1.30 p.m., it was anticipated that there would he' no congestion, and when it was found Hint the sole ticket box was incapable of coping with the crowd, other ticket sellers were sent outside, and this helped considerably in avoiding much worse congestion.

Before the doors were opened in the afternoon there was a large crowd outside clamoring for admission, and the stream of people kept up continuously all day, with just a slight lull at about 6 p.m.

The cars parked in the evening extended in unbroken lines from Peel street bridge to Air. 11. 11. DeCosta’s house, from the Wm. Petfie bridge past the sideshows in Ormond road, and in Stout street past Mr. W. D. Lysnar’s residence.

TJie show is open continuously to-day and to-morrow from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. Even this morning there was a sprinkling of people making an. inspection of the exhibits, possibly those who were unable to see much last night.