TOKO SHOW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1914, Page 3

TOKO SHOW.

It is not so very long ago that the township of Toko was a bush clad area, partly Swamp and partly hills. Indeed the writer remembers vividly a ridingtrip made out there some years ago. The alleged road consisted of a strip of mud that looked like a riverbed. The mud was as tenacious as an octopus, and like that symbol of the American trusts, was very difficult to get away from. It was no uncommon occurrence in those days to see dead horses all along the road, and indeed. One old resident tells a story of a wayfarer who noticed a hat drifting, as he thought, on the water. He reached out to got that hat and was astounded, when he heard a voice from underneath the hat saying: “Leave my hat alone.” It was another wayfarer who was plodding through the mud. But what a contrast now. Instead of bush clad hills and swamps, there are smiling farms and homesteads, the swamps have been drained and brought under a high state of cultivation. Everywhere is peace and plenty. The land of Canaan was as the back yard of an iron foundry compared to the Toko of to-day. A well formed and metalled road leads from Stratford, the Chicago of New Zealand, to Toko, and out 80 or It) miles further. Small wonder then, that the residents of Toko, seeing the great success of the Stratford A. and P. Show, should want to establish a local show for themselves. They have done so, and entries for the different classes close to-morrow. All the events are for residents residing east of 'Kahouri Bridge, with the exception of the poultry classes and one leaping event, which are open. The schedule contains classes for pot plants, vegetables, farm produce, fruit, honey and preserves, pickles and sauces, dairy produce, Injure industries, fancy work, photography, juvenile classes, cattle, sheep, horses, poultry, and a dog trial. The management have ar- ■ ranged for a special train to leave Stratford at 1.30 p.m. on Thursday, 119th February, returning the same 'evening. All information will bo supplied by the Secretary, Mr C. M. , Cleary.