THE PRESIDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16811, 1 June 1926, Page 6

THE PRESIDENT.

MR WILLIAM WALLACE.

A man of few words; a steady, silent worker, and one upon whom complete reliance may be placed to carry to conclusion any job he undertakes. This is William Wallace, president of tliis year's Show, and a member of. its "executive for a very long period. Mr Wallace is a North Canterbury man, of that sturdy type which the South seems to produce. After completing his education in the South, the new president went in for sheep breeding, and later devoted his attention lo the handling of sheepshearing machinery. Nearly 20 years ago he migrated to Waikato, where he has farmed very successfully ever since. On arrival in this district he took up residence at Matamala, but for a number of years he has lived in the vicinity of Hamilton. Mr Wallace has always taken a close interest in educational affairs and has been chairman of various School Committees. He has also occupied a position on other local bodies. lie is a thoroughly practical dairy farmer, and has represented his district on suppliers' committees from time to time. The different shows in Waikato have always received his earnest support, and the committee of the Waikato Winter Show, recognising his worth, unanimously elected him president on the retirement of Mr F. A. Snell, last year's chairman. Mr Wallace is fortunate in having as a helpmate a wife who enters wholeheartedly into his interests, and who has done much to assist him in anything he has undertaken. She has been a familiar figure at the Waikato Winter Show for many years, where stie has taken a leading hand in entertaining visitors, and in assisting with the committee's commisariat. OFFICIAL OPENING, The Show was officially opened this afternoon by the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coatcs), in the presence of an enormous gathering. The weather fortunately, after a month of execedingly wet conditions, cleared up on Sunday, and, witli the encouragement of the'bright sunshine and a brisk atmosphere, people gathered in from all parts. . . The Prime Minister's party arrived from Auckland at noon, and on the platform, in addition to Hon. J. G. Coates and the Show officials, were Hon. J. A. Young (Minister or Health), M P for Hamilton, Mr F. F. Hockly, M P for Hotorua, Mr D. Stewart Held, M.P. for Waikato, and Major Samuel, M.P. for Ohinemuri. i PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED. In introducing the Prime Minister the president of the Show, Mr W. Wallace said it was intensely gratifying to see so many people present. The Show this year would, he thought, from every standpoint, prove a creator success than even the great shows of the past. The entries this time were larger than ever before, particularly in the dairy division, where they had nearly reached the thousand mark. The root display was also a remarkable .one, and he regarded it, putting all bias aside, as the finest he had seen anywhere. The Association's great trouble had been to find sufficient space not only for the competitive exhibits, but also for the commercial area. Even with the great building programme carried out, last year, which brought the total covered space to 120,000 square feet, the demands could not be met and the Association reluctantly had been forced lo refuse many applications. The speaker said he desired to thank all exhibitors for their contributions to the Show, and especially the Government for permitting its forestry and agricultural display from the Dunedin exhibition lo be shown here. The speaker made special mention of the great assistance rendered the Show this year by the Railway Department, which had made most complete and satisfactory train arrangements. lie also paid a tribute to the great assistance lie: had personally received from, the various superintendents and stewards in Ihc different sections, who, after all, had done the lion's share of the work. In conclusion Mr Wallace referred to the magnificent response made by the business people not only of Ibis district, but of the whole province who had assisted not only with exhibits, but with handsome donations. (Applause). WELCOME BY THE MAYOR. His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, said it gave him very great pleasure lo welcome lo Hamilton the visitors, and especially the Prime Minister, who w r ould be able to see for himself cxaclly what the Waikato could do and the class of people who lived lived here. There was a rumour in other parts or the Dominion that Waikato had seen its best. It was, how--1 ever, only a rumour. (Laughter and applause.) Hamilton recognised that ils success was entirely wrapped up witli the success of the farming community. It was very pleasing to see the excellent district courts, which were an education in themselves. The Show generally this year was. he, thought, equal to any in any part of Lbo : Dominion. Many of llie exhibits came from the erstwhile despised swampy lands Of Waikato. What a testimonial for these lands, the fringe of which had only just been touched. (Applause.) MINISTER OF HEALTH SPEAKS.

Hon. J. A. Young (Minister o! Health), who was accorded an ovation,

paid a tribute to the president, Mr Wallace, who, he said, while not a man of words, was certainly a man of works (Applause). Referring to the exhibits, the speaker said the root exhibit was pronably the finest he had even seen in the Dominion. It was magnificent. While it was very desirable to bring fresh lands into cultivation in this country, it was more necessary to spread scientific knowli amongst the men on the land to enable them to produce more from the land already under cultivation. The only royal road to prosperity and progress was, however, hard work. We could not acquire these otherwise. The speaker, who was given an excellent hearing, made a great patriotic appeal and concluded by stating that the Government was always ready and anxious to help the man desirous of doing honest work. (Applause).