DISTRICT SHOWS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 246, 6 December 1940, Page 4

DISTRICT SHOWS

WHAKATANE may well be proud of its two show fixtures which despite the war conditions have: been, carried on with the most gratifying success. The depressing effects of the conflict overseas have been more than offset by the abundant confidence of the committees behind the fixtures who are to be complimented on their attitude and the manner in which they have sought to maintain interest in things at home. The: Winter Show, which this year showed a nett profit of £198 is something of the towns own creation. Not only has it provided Whakatane with the greatest commercial advertisement in its history bijt it has furnished through the thirteen years of its existence a series of class competitions! calculated* to raise the standard of agriculture, horticulture, handwork, home cookery, and needlework. In this it has succeeded beyond all expectations until it has become so much part of the community that its extinction is unthinkable. The summer Agricultural and Pas-

toral Show also brings hundreds of visitors to the town and from a dairying point of view is the finest medium for directing attention to the rich productiveness of the Rangitaiki Plains. Patronage by the general public is also a very praiseworthy feature of this great event which will take place in February 1941, and will provide for its patrons the second of its war-time shows. It is to be hoped that upon this occasion farmers who. are able: to exhibit, in spite of their increased difficulties will make a point of doing so, in order to maintain standard and keep the show alive, In the rural areas it is pleasing to note the spirit which keeps the smaller district exhibitions alive. Waimana a Te Teko, Taneatua each -promote with the same interest a,nd enthusiasm, and surprisingly enough the same success, their respective flower shows, while in Whakatane itself the local Horticultural Society continues to hold the fort,,, and the various Church events still draw large crowds. It is from this spirit that the 'win-the-war' instinct is germinated, for it is just as necessary to maintain a bright and. indiustrious aspect on the 'home front' as it is to send first class fighting material overseas.