DATES OF ROYAL SHOW

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 8

DATES OF ROYAL SHOW

RETAILERS ASK FOR CHANGE ADVANCE BY A WEEK SUGGESTED A change in the dates of the Centennial Royal Show at Invercargill to a week earlier than the suggested dates of December 12, 13 and 14, was sought by a deputation from the Invercargill Retailers’ and Drapers’ Associations which waited on the directors of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday. It was decided to approach other Southland associations to ascertain whether they would "be agreeable to a chance in show dates. The deputation consisted of Messrs J. S. Brass, A. F. Clark and L. S. Alsweiler. “This is an old question so far as the retailers of Invercargill are concerned and it is not an idle request,” said Mr Brass. This year the Royal Show was tentatively fixed for the week before Christmas week. This would result in great difficulty for retailers in coping with Christmas trading. Country residents would be unlikely to do their Christmas shopping before the show and that would leave very little time. The retailers usually treated the association and the show generously and they hoped the directors would favourably consider, the request. He could not see any disadvantage in advancing the dates by a week. Mr Clark said that retailers would like to have an opportunity to see the show, but with dates so close to Christmas they would have little opportunity to do so. He believed that an earlier date would be more convenient to farmers, townspeople and the Railway Department. He was satisfied that there would be a bigger attendance if the show was held a week earlier. Mr Alsweiler said that retailers were strongly in favour of the show Being held in the middle of the week, but December 12, 13 and 14 was too late. If the show could be held in the first week of December it would be much more convenient to retailers.. The chairman (Mr R. Kennedy) said the association appreciated the support of retailers and would seriously consider the request, but there were serious difficulties as the shows were arranged in a circuit for almost all the South Island. DEPUTATION TO GORE Mr Clark said the retailers would be prepared to send a deputation to Gore to request that the date of the Gore show be altered also. The secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson) said that the Southland show always opened on the second Tuesday of December. The date was now about as late as possible and would shortly revert to about December 8. Mr T. Hamilton said the whole of the South Island series of shows was arranged in a circuit and the dates were fixed automatically. The dates were dependent on the date of the New Zealand Cup Racing Carnival at Christchurch.

The secretary said he was not fully conversant with’ the dates for the circuit, but there might be a clear week after the Balclutha show before the Gore show and that would permit an alteration in the dates for Gore, Wyndham and Invercargill. Mr D. Marshall said that the dates had been arranged by agreement and it would be difficult to make any alteration at this late stage.

On the motion of Mr A. M. Weir it was decided to approach all other show associations in Southland to ascertain whether they would be agreeable to a change of dates. On the recommendation of the finance committee it was decided to adhere to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the show and not adopt the suggestion to hold the show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The secretary reported that all kindred associations in Southland and South and Central Otago had been approached for support of the Royal Show and meetings with these associations would be held shortly.