The Winter Show.

Southland Times, Issue 13456, 16 May 1896, Page 2

The Winter Show.

The popularity of these annually recurring events, at the slack time of the year, seems to be on the iucreaee. and we think the directors of the Metropolitan Association have acted wisely in announcing a two days' show, from the outset. Our readers will remember that last year it was originally intended that the exhibition should only be for one day, but the large nnmber of exhibits, and the short time allowed for inspection by the public — after the judging had been completed — induced the directors to keep the hall open for a second day. On this occasion arrangements have already been made for holding the show ou the first Tuesday and Wednesday of n« xt montb, and we feel sure the change will be appreciated by the general public, as well as by the exhibitors themselves. I It is the usual custom of the Southland Society to follow the Dunediu show, but on this occasion it was found necessary to fix the date for the local event before the Otago Scciety was abe to determine when they would hold their own exhibition, so the change has not arisen from auy desire to anticipate Dunedin. The experience of last year has led to a considerable alterat oa in the pfizß list o' our local Aesociaf.on, fpecial clas es having been introduced for the beneiitof farruerp, whereby they are enabled 10 compete amoDg themse!v< s in the classes for grain and seeds without having to show against mercantile and oovert v er firms. An attractive pree list has been pro-

vided in articles of home manufacture, and the good housewives of Southland will have tnaDy opportunities of showing their skill, and of earning appropriate rewards. The prizes for butter and cheese are valuable and numerous, and in the classes for these articles, as well aa for bread, scones, &f, and drbssed poultry, special prizes are offered for the largest number of points. It will be well to remember that the entries of salt butter close on Saturday, 16th instant ; while fresh butter must be in the hands of the secretary not later than Taesday, 2Gth inst. Entries for general exhibits close definitely oa Thursday, 28th inst., to give the necessary time t3 prepare the catalogue. We hope to see something like competition for the large number of valuable special prizes offered by most of the mercantile firms in town. It has happened oftener than once, that not more than a couple of entries have been received for a prize of the value of four or five guineas. This is not very satisfactory to the donor, nor is it very creditable to the settlers in the district, or they must be in much more affluent circumstances than we are usually led to suppose. The Railway Department has cordially responded to the invitation addressed to them to assist in the success of the affair by offering cheap fares from all parts of the district, including Dunedin. These have been fixed at a very low rate, and are such as to induce every one who can get away to take a holiday on this occasion. Exhibits will be carried on the game terms as for the sumtnorshow, &nd a special train will be run, for the benefit of residents on the Lums'lcn line, on the morning of Wednesday, 3rd June.