Record Entries For Wanganui's Annual Show

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 November 1949, Page 6

Record Entries For Wanganui's Annual Show

Stage Said To Be Set For One Of Best Shows Ever Staged

Perhaps at no time in the history of New Zealand has there heen a greater need lor an improvement in the quality of bloodstock to ensure the maxiof production, particularly in view of the urgent need for the utmost production to ease the shortages of foodstuffs in Great Britain, which have become even more acute than during the war years. Bv bringing tanners into active competition with producers from other district;-, and enab.ing them to see the effects of better breeding and of diverse methods of rearing, A. and P. shows provide a stimulus to the farming community which should have a beneficial effect on the economic life of the community. High among the many associations Which have done good work for NewZealand stock breeders throughout the years is the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Its record of achievement and progress will be advanced a further step tomorrow when its 75th show will be Staged on the racecourse. Town and country will be brought together more closely for two days and both communities will be given a clearer insight into the others activities. This year s show has been increased Jn scope and the fact that the entries constitute a record makes the prospects of a record ctowd another achievement provided that the weather is kind.

The staging of an agricultural show for two days involves* a considerable amount of work, and preparations for one show begin immediately after one event is finished. Each show brings forth new ideas, and each year there is something different lor the people to see. The drawing up of a programme of ring events to cater for the tastes of both city and countryfolk requires a considerable amount of imagination and versatility. However, the greater proportion of the work is crowded into the last fewweeks when the secretary and officers of the association are kept on their toes to ensure that everything Is organised and that notning is left to chance. SUCCESS ASSURED The Wanganui . association has Some hard workers on its general committee and each year working bees on the last week before the show work hard to organise the final details. These working bees have been In progress this week organising accommodation for some of the stock sections, arranging the exhioition halls and the space for the sideshows. The last touches will be made today, and members of the committee believe that the stage is set for one of the most successful shows ever held. A feature this year Is stated to be the co-operation received from the business community. With the assistance of the Wanganui Junior Chamber of Commerce the association has arranged for business houses to decorate their premises and for flags, bunting and greenery to be erected in the main shopping area to give the city a carnival air

| Tomorrow morning the judges will i begin the task of judging the stock sections, and competition is expected io be keen. This year an endeavour lias been made to increase the support of the stock clashes, with tne result that compel!, uri will be much keener. Practically all breeds of Seattle, including both milking and j beef breeds, and all the popular types . of sheep and pigs have been entered. 'All the stock sections show big in- , creases on last year's entries, and in |some they constitute a record. A I popular event at the shew is the fat 'lamb competition, in which 68 pens 1 have been entered. Tiie pens consist {of three lambs, and they will be .’judged on the hoof at the show. The i animals will then be slaughtered at | the Imlay Freezing Works, where 11hey will be judged on the hooks. Selected pens will later take part in the New Zealand fat lamb championship judged by the New Zealand Meat Board at Smithfield, in London. Wanganui has earned an envied name with its competition horses, and 'the ring events which will be a feaiture of both days ot the show constiItute a record. Horses have come from many distant centres and the standard of competition should be keen. Feature jumping events will be the West Coast hunters’ jumping contest, the ladies’ jump, the steeplechase style jumping and the dual event. SAGACIOUS DOGS Probably one of the most popular ring attractions at this year’s showwill be the appearance of the famous team of six Border collies belonging to Mr R. Fortune, of Tirnaru. These nogs, which are wjrked together as a team, have already been seen in many New Zealand show rings and recently made a tour cf Australia. The demonstration of Mr Fortune shows vividly the wonderful intelligence of “man’s best friend” and the high degree of command which a handler can secure over dogs by careful and kindly training. These dogs will be seen working on both days of the show. The Wanganui Kennel Club’s show has become a well established feature of the Wanganui show, and this year will attract greater interest as the entries are a record. Entries have been received from far afield and Auckland breeders are well represented. In order to facilitate the judging two judges will be operating. They are Messrs R. W. Plunkett (Wellington) and D. Sutton (Auckland). The home industries section, in which town and country women compete, is well patronised and entries total 701 compared with 551 last year, j This section embraces a wide range of homecraft activities and will offer much for the male as well as the womenfolk. Sideshow alley has many 'new attractions for the entertainIment of the young and old. The Wanganui Gun Dog Club will I hold its trials in the lakelet at the I rear of the grandstand this year. This .event has also become well establishledasa show feature.

“With record entries all we need is fine weather to make the show the most successful in the history of the association.’’ stated an officer yesterday. He paid tribute to the co-oper-ation received from both the city and the country. The official opening will be held on Saturday (People’s Day) at 1.30 p.m. and will be performed by the High Commissioner for Australia, Mr A. R. Cutler, V.C.