HAWERA SHOW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 152, 30 June 1932, Page 5

HAWERA SHOW

REVIEW OF FIXTURE AN ADVANCE MADE. Ful y maintaining tho high standard attained since its inception, the twentythird South Taranaki Winter Show, whivh opened at Hawcra on Tuesday, presents every prospect of boimr one of the most successful in tho history of the exhibition. On this occasion it is more than a reflection of the prosperity and enterprise of the district it serves and has perhaps a greater educational interest than for many years past. There are numerous new and novel features, and a pleasing aspect is the spontaneity of the public and business people in supporting the fixture. Every available foot of exhibition, space has been allotted, and. as a result of the enthusiasm accorded the “Loyalty Week’’ appeal, there is a comprehensive range of district displays that eclipses anything previously attempted. Tho total entries are considerably in excess of those of last year, with an infinitely wider scope of appeal, and the various sections are indicative in a practical manner of the co-operation of town and rural interests.

Included in the competitive classes are the products of provincial farms and gardens, home industries and crafts, and various phases of primary and secondary school work, together with special displays by tho Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, women’s clubs throughout the Dominion, and the Women’s Institute. As usual, the poultry section is one of the outstanding attractions of the show and fanciers have again been particu larly well catered for. Trade exhibits are representative of numerous phases of industry, both primary and secondary, and are on broader lines than hitherto. Side-show alley, with its diversity of entertainment, makes an insistent appeal to amusement seekers, and this year there is no lack of variety. Summed up, the Show is “bigger, better, and brighter than ever,” and is a distinct credit to the management and exhibitors.

The Lloyd George Hall has been utilised for general purposes/ half being devoted to tho butter and cheese section and root crop and vegetable exhibits and the rest to trade displays. The Defence and Exhibition Halls are both fully taken up with ’commercial stands, the home industry classes, the displays of arts t and > crafts and similar sections being arranged in the rooms on the side of the main hall. The Women's Institute stand is to the left of the main entrance and tho sideshow section is at the rear of the Exhibition Hall, adjoining the poultry show. In the home industries division the cookery, preserves and pickles have a never ending domestic appeal and the needlework section is a testimony to the skill of those accomplished in the use of the needle. An exhibit of handwork by members of the branches of the Women’s Institute is of unusual interest. Displays of plain and fancy sewing are well designed and well finished and exhibits of lace work are remarkably good. Features are hand woven rugs made from wool, flax and oddments of material. There is also a surprising display of novel articles. The Alpine Club’s room is devoted to displays of work by district branches of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. Tho Otakeho branch has a most varied assortment of handwork of many kinds and several of the exhibits command more than usual attention.

The Hawcra branch display occupies the whole of one wall. There aro designs in silk and gold, fancy sewing and lace work, a morning tea cloth made from a salt bag, lampshades, a smoking outfit, a crochet petticoat made by a lady of 84, carved chairs, a garden cushion made from a sugar bag, trays, dolls, a woollen quilt made from unravelled wool articles, and a rug made from old silk stockings and scraps.

There is a striking reminder of the wealth of the dairying district and of its potentialities in the exhibits of butter and cheese, which form one of the best displays of primary products yet seen at the show. The butter section has been considerably improved and the exhibits are shown to better advantage with the adoption of the special type of show box. The competitive class for field roots and vegetables is a strong one and refleets the scope to be exploited, while the Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Club’s exhibits w'ould have done credit to the open classes. All round there is both quality and quantity in splendid co'lections.

The school forestry section presents a splendid illustration of the practical and theoretical knowledge of the children and complete with specimens, seedlings, and assortments of woods, both native and exotic, it affords a reflection of the evident value of the instruction.