SUCCESS BEYOND DOUBT

Southland Times, Issue 23199, 14 May 1937, Page 11

SUCCESS BEYOND DOUBT

Winter Show Draws

Big Crowds

A WIDE VARIETY OF ATTRACTIONS

OUTSTANDING DISPLAY IN HALL

The ’Southland Metropolitan A. and P. Association’s Winter Show reached its full strength .vest er day Very little judging remained to he done, and the main competitive interest of the day was the wool-classing and cheesegrading competitions. The nail and its annexes were therefore clear for thorough inspection, and, although it was not expected that the hall would be crowded in the afternoon, there was a steady stream of visitors and it was well filled. There is no doubt ot the public support that is being given to this year s fixtures. The association officials are delighted with it. It is surpassing our expectations,” remarked the president (Mr Walter Clark). “We rioped for a repetition of last year’s success, and there was every reason to expect it. But it looks as though this year’s figures will be well ahead. We are very pleased indeed with the interest that is being shown by the public. The show is worth it” , . , There was general support for his last comment. The show definitely is worth it. Right from the big main door to the end of the second annexe there are displays of absorbing interest. Trade exhibitions make the first impression on visitors. They are lavish ir the fullest sense. Last year the city firms expressed their realization of returning prosperity by taking up every inch of available space and displaying their wares in most elaborate fashion. This year the Coronation celebrations appear to have given them an additional incentive, and from one end of the hall co the other there are rows crowded with all descriptions of products, all dressed .in their best. Sports gear and a deer, which captures the fancy of every visitor, are there, together with the latest radio models, stand after stand of them, home furnishings of all descriptions, flower displays, industrial exhibits, and, in great quantities, modern machinery of all types. Milking machines and tractors hold sway in the main hall, but the big annexe is dominated by motor-carsand trucks, brilliant and sleek in their modem designs and comfort devices. They make a glittering show. Circling them are the root and seeds displays, and beyond them the livestock pens. All these vie with the stands of needlework, baking, cheese and butter and garden competitions for first attention. There is ample material for an hour or two of interesting and educational study, and in the big room at the side of the hall is the Invercargill-Garden Club’s chrysanthemum show. Flowers and Shrubs Again yesterday afternoon and evening there was always a gathering in front of the City Reserves Department’s display of flowers and shrubs. The friendly kea in his cage is a popular attraction, and yesterday there were new items of interest to garden lovers on the stand. A flowering cranberry plant, a favourite in America for jams and sauces, which was brought from the public gardens, is not yet a common shrub in Southland. An incense plant (Humera elegans) was noticeable, and additions to the fernery were bowls of stag’s horn fem and bird’s nest fern. Then there was a corner of yellow, winter-flowering broom, also an uncommon exhibit, which came some years ago from the Vatican gardens. The whole display is one worthy of the. department. But it is not possible to detail the attractions of the whole hall. They are numerous and varied, and the crowds that have attended every session of the show so far prove that they are attractions which capture the interest of visitors. The gate takings yesterday amounted to £B3 11/6. In the afternoon the takings were £4l 8/6, and in the evening they were £42 3/-. ENTERTAINMENT IN EVENING HIGHLAND AND CLASSIC DANCING The programme for the evening entertainment of the Winter Show last evening was provided by pupils of the Southland School of Highland and Classic dancing, under the direction of Mr Alex Sutherland and Miss Madge Klaus. As on the first evening, the entertainment found favour with the crowds and all of the items were well received. Highland and national dancing ensembles, American tap solos and duos, attractive ballets and a spectacular military tap dance were given by the pupils. Mr Lindsay Taylor played the pipe music for the national dances.

Tonight’s entertainment is expected to be as attractive as that of last evening, and for tomorrow afternoon and evening there will be special attractions, including a piano-accordion competition. Large entries have been received for this event, which is the first to be held in Southland. Miss Shirley McClatchy, Dunedin’s popular artist, will be heard in piano-accordion selections. She will also give several entertaining dance numbers. CHEESE GRADING COMPETITION FOR FIRST ASSISTANTS A cheese-grading competition for first assistants of dairy factories was a popular innovation at this year’s Winter Show. Competitions have been held annually for managers, and the desire for a similar event for assistants was proved by the entry of 15 yesterday afternoon. The results were as follows: — M. J. Stewart (Morton Mains) 97|pts 1 H. McCaughan (Apanma) 96|pts 2eq A. Gray (Titiroa) 96|pts 2eq WOOL CLASSING KEEN INTEREST SHOWN IN COMPETITIONS One of the exhibits that attracted most attention from country visitors to the Winter Show on Wednesday and yesterday was a very fine stand of fleece wools. It was of definite educational value, and the classing competitions held yesterday afternoon were well patronized. They were judged by Mr

J. McGregor, and the results were as follows:— Amateur competition, open _ to all local boys and adults who, during last year or this, have attended wool classes at the Southland Technical College, Southland Boys’ High School, the Borstal Institution, or Mr McGregor’s private classes. Roland Watson (Invercargill) 84pts 1 Robert Lindsay (Invercargill), 80pts D. McPhedran (Invercargill), 80pts * ♦Equal second. OPEN COMPETITION A. Baird (Invercargill), 76pts 1 J. M. Watson (Invercargill), 68pts 2 J. P. Waite (Invercargill), 64pts 3