WINTER SHOW

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20465, 9 July 1936, Page 10

WINTER SHOW

PUBLIC INTEREST MAINTAINED ATTRACTIVE MODELS The uniformly high standard of the trade exhibits; the excellence of the competitive sections; and the general attractiveness of th South Canterbury Industrial Exhibition and Winter Show are the factors which have contributed to the maintenance of public Interest. Yesterday saw the fourth of the seven days' season completed, and from opening until closing time there was present a large crowd from all parts of the district. All appeared Intent on seeing as much as it was possible to see in the time at their disposal, and not a few visitors from country districts expressed regret that they had not been able to spend more time in examining the show. On all sides has been heard the comment that the show was vastly different from what was imagined, and ths promoters have been highly praised on the success of their efforts. A gyeat many people refrained from exhibiting or competing, feeling that the show would not be a success, but having visited it once, they have gone back a second time, and have expressed their intention of lending practical support next year. Whether the show proves a financial success or not, and present indications are that it will be, the venture has been well worth the time and money and energy expended. Yesterday 600 children from country districts and town schools visited the show, the attendances being; Waimataital 379, Glen-ltl 54, Tawai (Waimate) 17, Fairview 37, Klngsdown 17, Claremont 24 and Willowby (Ashburton) 45. Some 25 pupils from the Ashburton Technical School, who came to Timaru to engage in football and basketball with the Timaru School, also visited the show. The organisingmanager (Mr E. H. Marriner) addressed the children, his remarks being listened to with great interest. To-day it is expected that upwards of 1000 children will be present, as parties are due from the Rangitata and Geraldine districts, Orari Gorge, and the Timaru South and Marist Bros, schools. The Fairlie excursion is due to-morrow, and for the convenience of the people of Albury and districts between there and Fairlie, a special train will leave Timaru at 4 o'clock, the first stop being Albury. Other excursionists can travel on the ordinary train at 5 o’clock, but excursion tickets will be available for both trains. The attendance last night was again large. For the enjoyment of patrons radio and orchestral music was provided, while a fashion parade also attraced a good deal of attention. During yesterday 2854 adults and 419 children, apart from school parties, passed through the turnstiles, the gate takings amounting to £152/4/11. Since the exhibition opened, 9337 adults and 1958 children have passed through the turnstiles, and the receipts have been £513/2/11. Interesting Exhibit. An exhibit of particular interest to townspeople is that of the South Canterbury Grain and Seed Merchants’ Association, which occupies a fair amount of space in the front portion of the building. The public generally know that the farmer grows wheat, oats, barley and other cereals, and visits to the country districts will have revealed fields of clover, cocksfoot, ryegrass and so on, but few of the people, particularly the children, who live in the town, will have seen samples of the seed from which these various crops are grown. Those who have stopped to admire the big stack which forms a background for the exhibit could not help but devote a little attention to the small bags of grain on display, all of which are adequately labelled. For instance, it will be seen that in South Canterbury there are grown six varieties of wheat, Tuscan, Hunters, Velvet, Cross-Seven, Jumbuck and Garnet. Wheat, of course, is mainly milled into flour, and from the flour comes bread. To complete the exhibit, small loves of bread, the type produced when the wheat is submitted to a baking test, are shown below each sample of wheat, thus showing the raw material and the finished article. Close at hand may be seen samples of the various types of fertilisers used by farmers in order to produce good crops. Full lines of wheat and oats, barley, ryegrasses, and so on are also on view. In another portion of the exhibit there is set out varieties of table and seed potatoes, while in a glass case, on the third side of the stand, may be seen certified samples of clovers, wheats, oats and many other seeds. The exhibit is well worth inspection, as it is of a distinctly education nature. Model of Harbour. Recent discussions at Timaru Harbour Board meetings have focused attention on the proposed harbour improvements, and for that reason the model of the harbour at the Winter Show has been attracting more than ordinary attention. The model is i large scale one, and gives a splendid idea of the proposals placed before the Board by the Harbourmaster (Captain H. C. White). The model was designed in 1906 by the then engineer to the Board, Mr E. Crow, and was made by Mr J. H. Wilds, who still resides in Timaru. The model is a particularly fine piece of work, and has been much admired by all who have examined it. The model was constructed away back in 1906 and was placed in the Christchurch Exhibition in December, 1906, and January, 1907. At that time the high water mark was much further Inshort than it is to-day, and the buildings on the foreshore and houses in the town were fewer in number than to-day. In this respect the model has not been altered, so that citizens can secure a very good idea of just how big Timaru was 30 years ago. The harbour as it is to-day and what it would be if the proposed improvements were carried into effect are fully set out. For instance, the model indicated how the shingle has built up since 1906, the high water mark being shown in 1906, 1924 and as it is the existing channel for shipping is to-day. By means of coloured lines, set out, and in different colours is shown the proposed new channel which would give vessels a straight run in to the port. The present alignment of the North Mole is part of the original model, but the suggested extension can be seen in the alterations which have been made to the model. Originally the harbour was built to accommodate wssels of 1200, tons, a ldea the vessels of 30 years

ago being had from a small boat which can be seen entering the port. Giese by is a model of present day vessels of 12,000 tons, which the port is now capable of accommodating. Those who have taken an interest in harbour matters should make a point of examining the model, which shows in the simplest way possible the improvements which have been discussed so much of recent months. Waitaki Hydro. Hundreds of people in South Canterbury have had the privilege of seeing the Waitaki Hydro electric works, but many have not, their knowledge of the works having been secured from printed reports and published photographs. At the Winter Show, however, there is a fine working model which gives a better impression of the works than can be had from a photograph, for it illustrates how the waters of the Waitaki find their way into the huge dam above the works, on through the spillways and over the dam, finally to wend their way many miles to the open sea. The visitor to the show looks at the works from a point south of the dam. On the right may be seen the hillside on the Canterbury side of the river, while stretching across the river Is the dam itself. On the left, or the Otago side, is located the huge power house, and immediately in front of this is the transformer house, with the power lines leading away from it. On the higher ground to the left of the power house can be seen the residences of the permanent staff and other buildings which form a part of the works. A few brief statistics regarding the works are also set out, indicating that the lengths of the dam is 1800 feet and the spillway 1160 feet. The present capacity of the works is 33,3330 k.v.a, while the ultimate capacity is 83,330 k.v.a. The works have an output of 110,000 volts.