THE COMING SHOW.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15230, 5 May 1923, Page 7

THE COMING SHOW.

MANY SPECIAL FEATURES. DAIRY PRODUCE FROM ABROAD. CATERING FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT.

The preparations for the great Waikato Winter Show are well in 'hand. The exhibition opens on Tuesday, May 29, and will continue till June 4. Forever increasing in size and g-nneral importance, the association has this year extended its scope considerably. The line new playing area for the Hamilton Technical School, provided by levelling the terrace between the school and the Show buildings, is to be lent to Hie Show Association for accommodating the big entertainment section projected, while the Technical School buildings are also to be brought within the scope of the Show and will bo utilised for housing the exhibits of a technical nature. There will also be demonstrated the actual work of the technical branches of the school, as well as a big array of special exhibits prepared for live education and entertainment of visitors to the Show. The Technical School Bo'ard is to bo complimented in so readily seeing the usefulness of the project and so willingly acceding to the requests of the Association for the use of the school buildings, for both institutions have the same object in view—to toe of educative value. The executive is assuredly being encouraged in its splendid progressive programme. It was quite anticipated, seeing that the Show is providing the most important convincing ground in the Dominion for competitions in the products of our butter and cheese factories, that there would be a big increase in the factory exhibits this year. And this anticipation has been amply justified. The number of entries of factory produce has even exceeded the estimate of the optimistic secretary. The record entry of last year was 668. And this splendid number has been exceded by 207, making a tctal of 875, declared to be a world's record. Two exhibits of special interest, which arc bound to attract a good deal of attention, will be a box ef the finest Danish butter and a case of the best Canadian cheese. These, have been procured by the secretary, who is ever on the look-out* for openings to increase interest, and should term a good comparison with the local exhibits. So great, in fact, has the dairy section of the Show become, that the New South Wales Government is sending over its official graders to be present at the Show to view the exhibits and to generally pick ,up hints on grading and manufacture. This is a high compliment to our own graders and also a tribute to our Show.

The executive is to be congratulated on the fact that all the educative phases of the Show are to be strength ene'd as * much as possible. The farmer —the wnan behind the whole movement—is to be catered for by special and original exhibits and demonstrations. Education is to be the dominant note of the big Show, but education happily combined with entertainment. The exhibition is being developed more and mor'c i as a great ■educative fair for the farmers of the Auckland province and all those engaged in the manufacturing end of the dairy industry. There will be special cattle judging competitions, while the Calf Club will hold its usual exhibitions, and thus the youthful agricultural community will have a chance of displaying its ability. Special interest is being taken by the school authorities in this year's Show, and the majority of the school committees, both along the Rotorua and Thames lines, have approached the Association with a view to arranging for special trains to bring the school children of those districts into Hamilton on certain days. While on the subject of trains, it might be menlioned that the commercial community of Auckland has also asked for a special excursion from Auckland on at least one day of the Show. The ladies' needlework department is receiving special attention and a new hall is being arranged, providing excellent accommodation for this section, particular attention being paid to the question of making the building as dust-proof as possible, so that exhibitors may send in their entries, with confidence. They are assured that tiie greatest possible care will be taken of their work.

The Forestry Dcparlment is again holding a display of trees suitable for planting in various localities, both for profit, ornament and use, and this year the director has applied for double the space the Department occupied last Show.

While the Association has always done much to provide entertainment for visitors in years past, special provision is being made this time to ensure that there will be no dull moments. Dancing competitions will be held, while a musical festival on somewhat similar lines to the one at present in progress will be a feature of the week's programme. The Association has also acquired the use of the whole of that space fronting the Technical School, which will be enclosed and given over largely (o sideshow men. This will therefore become a veritable fair-ground, where all classes should find ample amusement in the open and yet in the Show. The magnitude to which the Show has grown is most gratifying, and furthcrefforts along the line the Association- is at present pursuing should make its reputation heard (as indeed it almost is now) Ihroughout the whole of Australasia. Entries close oil May 12.