AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5570, 20 May 1896, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

THE WINTER SHOW. THIS DAT. The committee of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association may well congratulate itself on the highly creditable display at the second winter show, opened this afternoon in . the premises in Hereford Street, known as Wilkin and Co.'s old stores and the adjacent wool store of Mr Tabart. Upwards of four hundred exhibits of dairy and agricultural produce, local manufactures and fat cattle and sheep formed a collection Avhich contrasted most favourably with that at the Association's first winter show, ■which was, as some may remember, held on the old Show Grounds at Sydenham a dozen years ago, and the result of which was so unsatisfactory that, until this year, no attempt was made to repeat the experiment. In this second venture the commitee has already scored a succes d'estime, which it only needs the patronage of the public to convert into a 1 financial success also. Of thatr patronage -the' show is well worthy. j The arrangement is easily described".. The entrance is from Hereford" Street?, through Wilkin and Co.'s old' promises.. Visitors are admitted through recording turnstiles, devised by Mr R".. Ml M'Donald; there being one stile for- children- and holders of passes, and another for paying adults. Implements and agricultural machineryi which are shown in the brick wool store, first claim attention, and' closely are the dynamos and other- appliances for the electric light, in charge of Mr C. A. Seager. The large building behind the machinerydepartment has the appearance of an agricultural show and an- industrial exhibition combined, for here are displayed, in the most effective manner which the ingenuity of the exhibitors can devise, specimens of local manufactures, of many kinds of roots, grain , and other produce, of cured and preserved meats. In a little room at the side are located the secretary (Mr Murphy) and his assistants, diligent, courteous and obliging as ever. In an ' adjoining building are the score of exhibits in the fat stock and dairy cattle classes. Across the right-of-way a covered passage is to be constructed leading to Mr Ta.bart's wool store, wherein are dairy produce and appliances, fruit, vegetables and some exhibits of cured meats. Exhibits were supposed to be in place by 9 a.m., and though this was not done in all enses, the show was in a very good state of preparedness when opened to the public. The upper floor of the brick wool store has been fitted up for lectures and entertainments. Seating accommodation for 500 persons has also been provided. On the walls are hiing pictures belonging to the Association, and exceedingly good displays of photographic work are made by Messrs Standish and Preece and Mr Sorrell. In this room also, Messrs Nairn and Son made an admirable display of chrysanthemums and other pot plants.