NORMANBY’S LEADERSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1934, Page 3

NORMANBY’S LEADERSHIP

HORTICULTURAL SHOW CLAIM SUPPORTED BY NEW BUILDINGS. LAND AND EQUIPMENT DEBT FREE. The Normanby Horticultural Society’s claim to pre-eminence in Taranaki is supported by improvements to its- buildings which were practically completed for the opening of the society’s 51st show yesterday. The whole Normanby show was held under one roof for the' first time yesterday and the whole building is free of debt. /”

The society’s building is 72 feet in length and 67 feet in width, whereas for a number of years the width has been 50 feet. A large lean-to, 17 feet by 72 feet, has been built on to the right-hand side of the main hall and is used as a produce shed. The lean-to of the same size on the other side of the building is to be used as a kitchen and dining room. The furnishing of the kitchen has not been completed and the lining has still to be done.

The chief improvement to the main hall is the substitution of plank lining for the iron walls. At present this goes up only 12 feet but it will be taken to the ceiling in the near future. These additions and improvements to the building have been made in the past 10 days. Working bees have been well attended by members of the society. At previous shows produce has been exhibited on stands outside the building and the catering has been done in a large marquee. Under those conditions wet weather affected the shows to a great extent

The building is erected on the society’s own land. This section, as well as the hall, is free from debt largely as a result of the successful jubilee last year. Normanby is the only society to hold an annual show in its own buildings in Taranaki and though there may be others in New Zealand they are in any case rare. The Manaia Horticultural Society has a fine building but this has still a mortgage on it while a show has not been held in it for some years. The Normanby society also leads Taranaki in the’number of show days it has in a year. As well; as the main twoday show in the autumn there are oneday shows in the spring and summer.