STRATFORD WINTER SHOW

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 68, 24 July 1929, Page 4

STRATFORD WINTER SHOW

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT YEAR. A round table conference of members of the Committee of the Stratford "Winter Show Association, was held in Smith’s rooms, Stratford, on Monday, when there were present: Messrs A. J. Davey (president). A. David, Reg. King, Sid. Reader, H. J. Hopkins, J. H. Ward, F. Weston, Hardy-Jones, C. Milne), M. Gemhoefor, H. Campbell, J. Weston jnrn., V. Johnson, 0. Murray, W. Cannon,W. Pettigrew, S. A. Mann, T. Kirkwood), and F. T. Hale (secretary) . Apologies were tendered from, Mr H. J. K'rkwood, Mr H. C. North, and Mr J. C. McDowall. The president congratulated the committee on the manner in which the members attended to their duties at the Show. TTe stated that the meeting had been called with the oh. ject of making recommendations for the benefit of the committee for the next year, Ml should he Moused with the result of the Show. Tlie weather was had. land influenza, had claimed a. great number o.f victims, which g.reatljv idjiniinished H** attendance. Tbe takings at the Show were only* £l3 less than last year, and he. considered ther position was very satisfactory. « THE FINANCES. Mr Hale, presented an interim bal-ance-sheet, giving an estimate! of the position. The, gatetakings wet - e* £3lB 18s. 6d, subscriptions £45 17s, donations £9 9s fid'; entries £127 17s Id, sideshows (estimated) £lB9 12» fid, catalogues £4 19s lOd, sale of show birds £lO 6s fid.

Tli© president: pointed out that there would not he much difference in last year an.dl thi R year’s figures after the members’ subscriptions' had come in. There was a slight falling; rff in. the entries, particularly in the farm produce. He considered the position was satisfactory. and invited' suggestions from members. FARM PRODUCTS. Mr Kirkwood said the! farm products at the Show were as good as any in New "Zealand and the entries were quite satisfactory, considering that farm products wer© down everywhere in other shows this year. Ho thought the Show was a wonderful performance, considering; the winter attraction of other Winter Shows. The president said Stratford was well ahead compared t 0 other shows this year. Canvassing might have brought in ma'ny more farm, products entries. On one farm since the show h© had seen better swedes than those on exhibition. trade displays. Mr Gernhoefer testified to the excellence of the Show, and quoted the remarks of a visitor who. was most complimentary concerning the whole show. He mentioned the interest shown in tho tanned ©ei!skins, and thought it was a novelty to a. great many people. He stated that the Taranaki Power Board would have a display of elelctrio aopTTnnces and a demonstration in c&oking next year. Mr Johnson expressed satisfaction at learning that the Power Board would give a. demonstration next velar, stating 11 fat these sort of disnlays Wre most interesting. The District Courts should number a dozen instead of two, and as they drew additional attendance it should he encouraged in every way. V.H.G. AND H.C. Mr Kirkwood suggested Very Highly Commended and Highly Commended awards in the wine classes and .also in the cooking, as there was sometimes' little difference in merit between the first half dozen exhibits. The president said that it was the judge’s duty if he thought fit to make the additional awards. and prizei tickets for the. nnrpose were provided by the committee. Mr Gernhoefer advocated canvassing for roots in. the school- section, which this vear was rather disappointing. He contrasted the exhibition with those at Hawera and NeW Plymouth to Strati ord’s) disadvantage. CARROT VARIETIES. A complaint was received copcorning the number of varieties of carrots entered in one exhibitor’s name in the collection. The wliter stated that there were nineteen varieties in the collection. He did not believe that there were that number in the British Empire. In conclusion, however, the writer said; ‘ ( T wish to extend niv sincere thanks to yourself and the stewards for the care and' attention given to my exhibits, and wish your show many years of success.” Mr Pettigrew said nothing could he do.no unless the schedule mentioned “distinct” varieties.

It was stated by two members that though they had made inquiries throughout New Zealand all th e they had received were nine aud thirteen respectively. Hie meeting considered that, nothing could, be done in the. meantime as the rules could not, be altered for next year. SCHOOL EXHIBITS BLOCKED , OUT. , A complaint was made that the* school exhibits were blocked off by a. sideshowman, and knocked down and, trampled on. Tbe president said it was unfortunat that the sideshow should have been alllowed to set rip in such a» position, which was don e °n account of the wet weather interfering with, the sideshows in the first position. He expressed regret that this should have happened, mentioning the value of the school exhibits, to the Show, and with this opinion the meeting were unanimous. FANCY WORK SECTION. Mrs F. Bowlpr wrote suggesting additional classes lor the fancy show section as follows: Class 7 should have two classes (a) home-made knitted toys, (b) home-made toys, knitted excluded. , Glass 28., —Two classes, (a) table centre white, (b) table centre coloured. 1 Class 33. —Four classes (a) tray* cloth, white, (b) - coloured, (c) supper cloth white, (d) coloured, all eredAddiitionaT'classes could be added (1) apron embroidered, (2) child s apron embroidered, (3) wool mg. The secretary was instructed to write thanking Mrs Bowler for h»r advice. Dir Johnson supported the idea, of securing assistance from the ladmaj as t°- the fancy work section and giving them a voice on the committee. Mr Pettigrew stated that last year he had obtained the assistance of * ladies in the fancy work business. in the town., ■ THE FARM COURTS. Mr Hardy-Jones considered, the) space devoted to the) farm courts waa too small, as the exhibits were ioa crowded. .It was pointed nut that the matter was one of good caste l>y the exhibitor, and that ho> an at to* 1 what space was allotted the chance were that the room would still l*e overcrowded. A recommendation 1o the incoming committee was lodged not to limit tjie height of the court display. Mr Jolmso.ii suggested] that exhibitors, should! pay a deposit, before the lighting was put in, so as to cover possible, losses. He stated that half a dozen globes were missing. Mr Mann suggested building t» moveable shed in” 12ft sections which could he halted together and a roof put on. These could he erecH&y wherever wanted. It was reported that the sideshowmen generally were well satisfied with their treatment at the Show. ROOTS AND ONIONS.

The president suggested as a rer commendation that the Farm and Garden Committee draw up a' schedule before October and have it, printed and circulated to probable exhibitors. He felt that it would be productive of keener competition- and advertise next year’s show. Mr Gernboefer supported the idea, pointing out that unless notified many farmers did not prepare for the show, and this proposal would probably provide a remedy. He also mentioned that the rules should be enforced in regard to entries not tie* ing the property of the exhibitor. One member pleaded guilty t 0 such a charge. Another said he would no further and admitted fie' had bought his onions and exhibited them! (Laughter). OURSELVES. Mr Kirkwood remarked upon the co-operation shown by members in conducting the Show, andl said li> was the happy spirit among all of them which had enabled them to. make such a success of the Show. It was creditable not only to the district province hut to the North Island. A great deal of the credit was due to the hou; secretary (Mr Hale). —(Applause). The president recounted some of In’s experiences in regard to congratulations extended to him and the management by visitors to the Show. To some of them, the amount of work carried out and the support bo generously given by an army of voluntary workers was a revelation. Such complimentary remarks were very satisfactory and gratifying to the speaker, and he considered his fellow-workers should share in the praise bestowed upon the Association. At the conclusion of the meeting, supper was served.