PEOPLE'S DAY AT RICHMOND.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13271, 23 November 1911, Page 4

PEOPLE'S DAY AT RICHMOND.

LARGE CROWDS ASSEMBLE IN SHOWERY WEATHER.

People's Day at the nineteenth show held under tho auspices of tho Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association, was, as in former years, one of the leading gala days of the year in this1 district. Being the premier show in tlie whole province it attracted patrons from far and near, and the boats from across the Bay, and •tho coaches from tho Motueka district did. a roaring business during tho first part of the week. As is usual at the present show practically tho whole attendance was on People's 1 Day. The fact that the previous day had been a.thoroughly unsatisfactory one, and that yesterday dawned bright and lovely, doubtless had a beneficial effect upon the gate takings. It is a strange, but, according to a great many farmers and those interested in bliows, an established truth, that wet weather preceeding such open air functions increases the ardour of prospective holiday-makers. The crowd yesterday was estimated by most to be well ahead of the previous year, but this cannot be known exactly until the gate returns arc to hand. Advice from the railway manager shows that the trains carried more people yesterday than on any previous show day. There were five trains to land the people at the show, and three to bring them back. About 800 passengers were landed at Rich-' mond from Kiwi northward and about 2000 from Nelson. One of the trains carried no less than 800 people and necessitated the use of three engines. The rain in the afternoon was unfortunate as it caused too many people to want to return by the 5.35 train. About 200 were left till a later one as the railway manager considered it unsafe, owing to the Bishopdalc hill, to add further cars to the already lengthy train.

The crowd was a most enthusiastic one, and was out for unbounded amusement. The country folk, however, were apparently as strongly represented as the townsfolk. The railway time-table was admirably suited for tho convenience of the sight-seers who were driven, those who so desired, in a motor bus, and other vehicles, from the Richmond station to tho ground, along the route which had been festooned at no small amount of difficulty, with bunting in honour of the visit of the Governor. Lord Islington. Inside the grounds all was excitement and enjoyment. Tho crowds moved here and there as their bent moved them, the farmers to the stock, the children to the Aunt Sallies, and the ladies as a rule to the grand stand. The interest was keenest in "■sido-.show alley," which had more representatives than for many years past. The various stands ai claimed attention in turn, and business was equally brisk for the dappor little chap who "was giving halfcrowns away," as for Sandow, tho burly pugilist and wrestler, who had to pay over his forfeiture for failing to throw a popular Puponga miner iii a six-minutes bout.

At noon the function was in full swing and His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by the Mayor (Mr. T. A. 11. Field), Mrs. Field, Hon. R. McKenzie (Minister for Public Works), Captain McDougall, Mr. J. Graham ..M.P., Mr. G. W. CouttsMoon (of the Tourist Department), Mr. G. A .Edmonds (Town Clerk), Mr P. B. Adams, and Mr. and Mrs. Noel Adams, arrived at the show grounds, the Richmond Brass Band playing th:) National Anthem. His Excellency and party wero accommodated upnii a specially erected platform in front of the grand stand, and were received by the president (Mr. Godfrey Bost) and officers of the Association. His Excellency was given a cordial welcome by the president, who hop"(I that Lord Islington would enjoy his visit to tho show. In replying, Hi;; Excellency congratulated the Ian:;? gathering on the beautiful day they had for the show, and hoped tlu\v would all enjoy the important occation of the year. It gave him groat pleasure to have the opportunity of seeing some of tho products of tb;:-; well endowed country. It also gavo him great pleasure to meet several of the agriculturalists of the district win were occupied in that industry. He was sure that the standard "of tho products he hoped to see subsequently, would as in tho past, ensure tho success of the show. He then declared the show open. (Appaluse.) On the call of the president three hearty cheers were given for His Excellency by the public. His Excellency was then entertained at lunch.

At about one o'clock the weather began to look ominous, and heavy clouds collected at the head of tho vaFey, and in the course of the afternoon several showers fell which made the ground rather sloppy, and cast rather a damper on the visitors' feelings. The ring competitions wero watched with considerable interest throughout the afternoon, and tho grand parade of stock at 2 o'clock was a very attractive feature. The crowds inspected the various prepared exhibits including the only entry for tho public schools competition, that of the Stoke Public School, and the display was a very creditable one. Mr. John Best's exhibit of farm produce, the product of one farm, was quite a feature- of the produce shod, and it is to be regretted that more farmers do not compete in this class.

His Excellency during the course of the afternoon, made an inspection of the exhibits and drove away aboiit i o'clock the band playing the National Anthem on his departure. At about five o'clock the crowd began to go, and by 6 o'clock the 19th annual show had come to a conclusion.