THE ROYAL SHOW

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 14

THE ROYAL SHOW

LARGE ENTRIES RECEIVED. SUCCESS OF EVENT ASSURED. (Contributed). Large entries have been received for the Royal Show, which will open at the Showgrounds, Epsom, Auckland, on November 16. The total entries in cattle (588), sheep (526), and pigs (203) is 1317, compared with 532 received in the same sections at the Auckland Spring Show last year. The horse entries this year make a grand total of 468. Commenting on these figures recently, Mr W. W. Massey, President of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, said it was extremely gratifying to note that a wide measure of support was forthcoming from all parts of the Dominion. As a vice-presi-dent of the Royal Council he had always maintained that the Auckland province could organise a Royal Show that would be a credit .to the Dominion. This claim was being proved. The entries so far included a large proportion of the finest pedigree stock in Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay districts, and generous support was also forthcoming from the principal South Island breeders. “Every district that is allotted the Royal Show, will owing to the resources of its own particular province, put up records in certain stock exhibits that cannot be beaten,” added Mr Massey. “Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay districts, for instance, will have a preponderance of sheep. We did not for one moment anticipate that our stud sheep exhibits would reach more than about 200, but in this class, as in all others, the entries have exceeded our greatest expectations. The number of stud sheep entries to date is 526.”

The accommodation at the showgrounds was quite inadequate for the housing of such a large number of exhibits, though two large permanent buildings had recently been completed. The erection of more sheds would be put in hand forthwith, and they would be ready for show’ week. Gratification was expressed by Mr Massey at the manner in which the Auckland citizens were assisting to make the period of the Royal Show a real carnival week. Visitors would be assured of a welcome such as only Auckland could give. From Monday, November 15, when the North Shore boroughs would tender all visitors a full day’s reception and entertainment, until the end of the week, when the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s meeting would be held, there would be a continuous round of amusements. Mr Massey said the thanks of the association were due to the numerous exhibitors for The support that had been so freely given, which assured the success from an agricultural standpoint of Auckland’s first Royal Show.