CENTRAL SHOW.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXV, Issue 5549, 5 March 1914, Page 2

CENTRAL SHOW.

WdIKATO'S AUTUMN CARNIVAL, A SPLENDID EXHIBITION, This morning the 11th annual show of the Waikato Central A. and P. Association was opened on Victoria Park, Cambridge, and it promises to be equally successful with any of its predecessors. The ground upon which it is held is eminently suited for the purpose, and from time to time suitable buildings have been erected for housing the exhibits and making everything as complete as possible. The grandstand is perhaps as good as any to be found in the Dominion. It is so arranged that when not in use it is closed up so completely that not a bird can get into it; hence it is always clean and dry. The device by which this is attained is by imirense folding shutters, hinged at the top, and hung so that when the stand is being used they aie pushed outward and supported by long iron rods; they then form a kind of verandah, which, while not obstructing the view, shelters the inmates from the glaring sun or rain. This device might well be copied by other institutions. Underneath the stand are offices, the publican's booth, lavatories, etc.; but while expatiating on the good qualities of the stand, there is one defect that is most noticeable, and that is the totally inadequate space devoted to the secretary's office, where a lot of business has to be transacted, and how Mr Veale and his able assistant, his daughter, carry out their duties , in such a place is a wonder to many, for it is only about the size of the ticket-box at the entrance gate, and on the second day of the show it becomes anything but a desirable place to be in.

The press is always well catered for at the Central Show, a special tent being devoted to them, and this year they will have another advantage by having a telephone line laid on to it. The system adopted by the press steward, Mr Trythall, is as near perfect as it is possible to make it, the returns being posted up promptly. The public, however, should understand that this tent is for the members of the press only. Another improvement that has been made this year is the moving of the pen containing the animals for the weight-guessing competition. In furmer years it has been away by the cattle pens, where few saw it; but now it has been moved to a conspicuous place to the right of the grandstand, where everyone will see it, and the result will doubtless be that many more will try their luck at guessing. At tin Masterton show the guessing competition brought in the handsome sum of £l3O, many ladies taking part in it, and there i 3 no reason why the sum realised at the Central Show from its guessing competition should not be largely increased. The members of the association have done a lot of work in getting everything in order, and, given fine weather, of which there is every indication, it will prove a success financially and otherwise. The entries are somewhat smaller than last year in some classes, notably sheep; but the number of horses exhibited will more than make up the deficiency, and for quality they will hold their own with any show in the Dominion. This year stock of all kiiv's come from all over the North Island, and include many champions at other shows; it remains to be seen how our Waikato stock will fare amongst such highclass animals. We do not doubt but that they will hold their own, ami when the awards are posted up that we shall not be ashamed of stock raised in what was known in days of yore as "the despised Waikato," but which of late is coining into its own and is keenly sought after by settlers from other districts.

After perusing the list of judges, only one conclusion can be arrived at—namely, that everyone will have a "fair deal" and that no favour will be shown.

The fact that the Waikato haa become a milk-producing country, and lias to a great extent ousted sheep, is doubtless the cause of the fallingoff in the exhibits in those classes; but butter fat suits the small settler better than wool and mutton, so he goes for that. The exhibits of machinery are good, and include many implements that are of use to the farmers, including some novelties that are being eagerly inspected. Special tram arrangements have been made for visitors from far and near, and the trains will stop at the Taylor street crossing as usual, and tomorrow should see a record attendance. Judging was entered on punctual to time, and the stewards were kept busy getting the classes into the ring, especially in the norse classes. The cattle and sheep were penned at an early hour, and everything points to a most successful opening day.