AFTER THE SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81898, 3 December 1906, Page 2

AFTER THE SHOW.

SOME SUGGESTIO IS. Chatting with breeders, (xiiibiir cvi tics, find numbers of i -,e n eral pubiic and sight cers a.- the Taranaki Stow, a News man gained some idea of the public appreciation of the facilities offerded, and the d«--iie for more.

Some of the exhibitors wanted covered-) n pens. Pig-breeders espec iajy, it was stated, would not bring big breeding sows and fat pig- any distance for exhibition unle-s some fair accommodation was provide!. Good pigs were juH as subject to heat on hot dayc o ewss g«s ds hrd mfw o.i hot (lays, or cold and wet in bad weather, as the human race, so one old gentleman said, and it was not■ikely a man would fetch a valuab'e sow away from her comfortable quarters to be p'aced for a couple of days in a small uncovered and unprotected pen. But this is hardly the correct reason for the fewness of the exhibits in the pig section. If baconers then there were buyers ready to take delivery on the ground. And breeder of purebred stock are getting independent just now. The high pr ices ruling for pigs have so stimulated the demand that breeders cannot rear enough young stock to supplyorder-, and it is not now necessary to travel their stud to and fro among the shows for advertising puiposes. "Whore's the dairy produce?" was a very frequent question. On being informed of its location the enquirer would generally ask "why don't they tell whe eit is?" Then the man who knew all about it would probably rvpy "So they do; can't you see the placards?" And the hunter for butter and cheese classes wou'd be directed where to find t|je placard. Now that placard should be so large and so conspicuous that it would force itself on the notice of the people. Why not have a coup.o of them or more?

Talking of placards calls to mind a remark frequently made that the members and guests were the only people admitte ' to the grandstand. Of course, that was not so. but how t.vere tlie public to know? And those who knew better might think the charge for admission was tho same as at the other shows farther down the coast.. Why not post in big i bold letters "Grandstand, 2/," . r 1 some such announcement ?

Competitions are becoming -ucli an important feature at the slio'w that a suggestion from a lady spectator is timely. This spectator had a catalogue, and wa» endeavouring fom tlie numbers won by the competitors to ascertain what event, was going on. But comparison with the book showed that number one was an entire horse, number five a mare with foal at foot, and number seven a two-year old colt. If an event board were erected 011 the hill, and the competitors' number placed opposite their names in the cata ogue it Kvould be appreciated. In the cooking classes it. is suggested that the exhibits might be better protected. The piece of wire netting '.viiich was supposed to guard these feats of culinary skill was too ;ow, and th e scores were handled broken, and otherwi-e disfigured. Butter could be more attractively shewn, by means of stepped benches for tho farmer, exhibit, and by sloping the boxes in the factory classes. As mentioned before, the parchment

covering papers might a so be folded and arranged to give the bulk exhibits a neat and more stylish and cleanly appearance. Exhibitors speak very hightly of 'he courtesy of the officials and the amount of attention given. Splendid paddocks were provided for the over-night accommodation of stock, and there was an abundance of green fodder for tho-e that remained 111 the grounds. The liberal distribution of luncheon t : ckets was a little item that should popularise the Society immensely. Another feature that was very marked lay 111 tho prompt and courteous attention of the officials to any matter brouynt under taeir notice. Exhibitors or competitors in search of lnlormation were quickly put in possesion of it, and tuc secretary, Air L. P. Web ter, is to be congratulated 311 the smooth working of his department, 'which, by t«o way, has in it the lifeblood of the wlio.e arrangements.

There ought to be 'about revenue in the grandstand if the So iety could manage to use the racecourse; proper for the jumping competitions. From the stand and lawn these competitions wou.d then be more attractive than ever. An examination of the turf in the ring where the leaping competitions and judging of the various "horses in action" took place, shown that it suffered ij a very small extent) and it may fair.y be argued that tho tulf 011 the course would suffer to 110 greater extent. The Society should make strong efforts to obtain the use of the cour-e of these events. Talking of the jumping brings up the qucstun of the "jumps." it was frequently remaiked that the stcep.ecliase jump was too flimsy, and thai tho horses could see through it. Having an idea tlmt the brush could easily bo knocked over, the knowing animals troubled little' about clearing- it. This jump should be so thick and strong that horses would treat it with the respect due to a rail f'en'ce.

A matter that was touched 011 at tho show dinner was in reference to the amount of attention given to exhibitors aniving by train. It i» suggested that a jnun might be engaged to meet the trains on the day before the show, and to direct- people io the grounds.

The public fully appieciated the

provision of a separate entrance foi stock of at: exhibits. People, townsfo k 'll particular, lmve no lelish for a close acquaintance of cattle.