SHOW ATTRACTS BIG CROWD

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 6

SHOW ATTRACTS BIG CROWD

Keen Interest In Exhibits After a night of fairly heavy rain the weather cleared and although the sky was still overcast yesterday morning the weather was dry and warm. During the day the weather was rather unsettled, but the afternoon s* Programme was conducted in favourable conditions. From early in the mommg large crowds were abroad, and the busy city streets were a reminder of show morning in pre-war days. Dee street carried a continuous stream of cars, almost all of which were bound for the show grounds. The grounds rapidly became filled with rows of parked vehicles. However, it was not until after midday that the main crowds began to arrive. Patrons followed their interest, whether it was the stock exhibits or the entertainments which are always found at shows. There is a universal attraction in a horse well handled, and keen interest was taken in the ring events during the afternoon. The competitions were strongly supported. It was one of the best entries for years and the standard set was high. GRAND PARADE The grand parade was one of the features of the afternoon. It began about 2.15 p.m. and was led by the Caledonian Pipe Band. Then followed the cattle champions and other prizewinners, the Clydesdales and the light horses. It was the first time for two years that cattle classes had been included and the display was a pleasing one. Altogether the parade was an impressive display. A happy jostling crowd from city and country sought entertainment. at the various stalls where skill could be put to the test and where acts of “magic” were performed. Although sideshows were again on a small scale the usual hoop-la stalls, “knock-ems” and dart games were seen. Many visitors, country patrons in particular, showed interest in the various trades exhibits of well-known firms and the stock pens also came in for a good deal of inspection. Visitors to the grounds in the morning found much to interest them. Judging began at an early hour and the people were kept well posted with results as they watched the light horses, Clydesdales and working draughts being paraded. BIG CROWD THRONGS SHOWGROUNDS Sideshows More Numerous Dense crowds of people from city and country thronged the showgrounds yesterday and the attendances were good, both in the afternoon and evening. Keen interest was taken in the jumping and light horse competitions in the afternoon and the steer-riding in the evening. In the morning the streets of the city were filled with people and traffic inspectors, police officers and patrol men were kept busy directing the traffic. There was a carnival spirit abroad last night and a gay jostling crowd

from the city and country sought entertainment. There was more to interest the public in “sideshow alley” than for several years. Showmen who stood outside their tents and appealed to the public “to step inside” and see “the greatest show on earth” were more numerous, although there was not the same variety of sideshow entertainment as at prewar shows. Most of them were devoted to games of skill and the various performers, both human and animal, which one learned to associate with peacetime shows,were absent. The prizes offered seemed to be of the variety that people have tried their skill for in “sideshow alley” for years. GOOD ENTRY FOR DOG TRIAL E. P. Healy’s Rock Wins Event There was a good entry for the dog trial, which consisted of driving and yarding. The competition, which was arranged by the Southland Dog Trial Association, was directed by Mr L. Dawson, of Mossburn, and the judge was Mr J. A. Nelson, of Heddon Bush. Following were the results of the trial: — E. P. Healy’s Rock (85pts) 1 A. F. Miller’s Dell (83pts) 2 W. E. Hazlett’s Bank (82pts) 3 T. R. McKenzie’s Dick (76pts) 4